Researchers in the UK have now published details of their work which resulted in the development of a genetic test for Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS, otherwise known as Fell Pony Syndrome). By comparing the genetic material from affected foals, known carriers with no clinical signs, and normal animals, the research team were able to track down the mutation responsible to a particular portion of chromosome 26. Further studies showed that the genetic defect affected the sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter gene (SLC5A3). In the report of their work published in PLoS Genetics, they explain: "This gene plays a crucial role in the regulatory response to osmotic stress that is essential in many tissues including lymphoid tissues and during early embryonic development. We propose that the amino acid substitution we identify here alters the function of SLC5A3, leading to erythropoiesis failure and compromise of the immune system. FIS is of significant biological interest as it is unique and is caused by a gene not previously associated with a mammalian disease. " "Having identified the associated gene, we are now able to eradicate FIS from equine populations by informed selective breeding."Read more at www.equinescienceupdate.com
1 comment:
"Having identified the associated gene, we are now able to eradicate FIS from equine populations by informed selective breeding."
The initial problem was selective breeding, the problem over the last few years has been to continue selective breeding with a known, and increasing, problem.
The answer is to breed for type, not this obsession with "purity" of blood.
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