PrP Scrapie Sensitivity Test
Classical scrapie disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) occurring in sheep and goats that is always fatal. It is caused by the formation of an abnormal conformation of prion protein, which causes other prion proteins to misfold. These abnormal prion proteins accumulate in the central nervous system and cause scrapie disease.
A study of Ontario goat herds affected with scrapie disease in 2014 (Srithayakumar et al., 2016: attached) identified variation at the prion protein gene (PrP) that was strongly associated with scrapie resistance and susceptibility. Animals with two copies of the PrP gene coding for the arginine (RR) at position 211 were highly susceptible, animals with one gene coding for arginine and one coding for glutamine at 211 (RQ) were weakly susceptible and animals with two copies of the gene coding for glutamine at 211 (QQ) were resistant.
Similar studies conducted in Europe have also discovered an association of the amino acid serine (S) at position 146 with resistance in mixed breeds of goats (Papasavva-Stylianou et al., 2007, 2011., Oritz-Pelaez et al., 2015., Fragkiadaki et al., 2011.,). More specifically, in Dutch goats, breeds of Boers and Nubians had the highest frequency of having the146 (S) genotype (Windig et al., 2016). Position 222 has also been shown to be important in conferring resistance in European studies. A study in the UK on scrapie affected animals found a correlation of having glutamine (Q) at position 222 with susceptibility and lysine (K) at position 222 with resistance (Vaccari et al., 2006, Aguilar-Calvo et al., 2015). More specifically, the frequency of (K) at 222 was the highest in Toggenburg breeds (Windig et al.,2016, White et al., 2008).
The results of the genotyping test will indicate if the animal in question is highly susceptible, weakly susceptible or resistant to scrapie based on variations at positions 211, 146, and 222 of the PrP gene.
A study of Ontario goat herds affected with scrapie disease in 2014 (Srithayakumar et al., 2016: attached) identified variation at the prion protein gene (PrP) that was strongly associated with scrapie resistance and susceptibility. Animals with two copies of the PrP gene coding for the arginine (RR) at position 211 were highly susceptible, animals with one gene coding for arginine and one coding for glutamine at 211 (RQ) were weakly susceptible and animals with two copies of the gene coding for glutamine at 211 (QQ) were resistant.
Similar studies conducted in Europe have also discovered an association of the amino acid serine (S) at position 146 with resistance in mixed breeds of goats (Papasavva-Stylianou et al., 2007, 2011., Oritz-Pelaez et al., 2015., Fragkiadaki et al., 2011.,). More specifically, in Dutch goats, breeds of Boers and Nubians had the highest frequency of having the146 (S) genotype (Windig et al., 2016). Position 222 has also been shown to be important in conferring resistance in European studies. A study in the UK on scrapie affected animals found a correlation of having glutamine (Q) at position 222 with susceptibility and lysine (K) at position 222 with resistance (Vaccari et al., 2006, Aguilar-Calvo et al., 2015). More specifically, the frequency of (K) at 222 was the highest in Toggenburg breeds (Windig et al.,2016, White et al., 2008).
The results of the genotyping test will indicate if the animal in question is highly susceptible, weakly susceptible or resistant to scrapie based on variations at positions 211, 146, and 222 of the PrP gene.
Results for PrP Scrapie Sensitivity TesT
*In order to provide the most value, the researchers have suggested collecting DNA from all breeding bucks and your highest producing/most genetically valued breeding stock, including does and doelings*.