OFFERED SERVICES

As a service lab, L.G.S. offers the following range of analyses to its members and private/public Institutions:

 

GENETIC IDENTIFICATION

The analysis is made using particular DNA molecular markers classes (Microsatellites and SNPs), resulting in a kind of genetic “identity card” that accompanies the animal through its life. It is thus be possible to:

 

PARENTAGE TEST

The parent-offspring relationship check is based on the comparison of the genotype of certain genetic markers between a single animal and its parents. The presumed parents are confirmed if the offspring’s genotype is a compatible with that of the parents. Indeed, according to the Mendelian genetics, every individual has two versions of the same gene, the alleles, each inherited by each parent. As all individual cells in an organism have the same genetic inheritance, the analysis can be carried out on DNA extracted from different tissues such as blood, hair bulb, semen, skin and muscular tissue, saliva etc. At present this analysis is carried out for the following animal species:

 

 

TRACEABILITY OF MEAT AND CHEESE

In Europe, after the appearance of BSE, it is very important to know the origin of meat for consumer safety reasons. A definitive solution to this problem is represented by genetic traceability that allows comparing the DNA of a living animal with that of a sample picked up directly in the butcher’s shop. Only the identity of the two DNA samples can be an absolute guarantee of origin of any cut of meat found in the market. Different and more complex is the traceability of milk and its products. In fact, individual traceability is not possible because milk and dairy products are obtained from mixtures of different animals. Furthermore, DNA extraction from milk-dairy products is complicated. Molecular biological techniques are being currently developed so as to permit any genetic analysis starting from any biological matrix. In particular, a well-matured cheese with a hard paste does not represent an ideal matrix to extract DNA of sufficient quantity and good quality in order to carry out traceability analysis. L.G.S. has focused on a method that allows the traceability analysis of typical single-breed cheese. The protocol is based on gene analysis influencing the expression of cattle coat colour (MC1R, agouti, c-kit, TYRP1, Silver) potentially breed-specific. In fact, these genes have some breed-specific alleles and therefore the presence or absence of one of these alleles permits to attribute the milk and, consequently, the cheese to an exact breed.

 

 

ANALYSIS OF GENES INFLUENCING MILK QUALITY

Numerous studies on cattle have proved that the single genetic variants of milk proteins demonstrate significant qualitative differences as they have a direct influence on the quality of milk and its by-products. In order to produce selection plans that take into consideration these parameters as well, methods using DNA analysis are used that permit to genetically characterise the possible sires of milk breeds. By using the L.G.S. protocols it is possible to know the male and female genotypes at birth with a simple blood withdrawal or hair bulb collection. Moreover, it is possible to determine the genotypes of dead bulls directly from the seminal fluid used for artificial insemination.

Cattle

  • as1-Casein: B, C e G
  • b-Casein: A1, A2, A3 e B
  • k-Casein: A, B e E
  • b-Lattoglobulin: A e B
  • a-Lattoalbumin: A e B

    • Sheep

  • as1-Casein: A, C e D
  • b-Lattoglobulin: A e B

    • Goats

  • as1-Casein: A, B, C, D, E, F e O
  • b-Casein: A, B e O
  • k-Casein: A, B

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    ANALYSIS OF GENES INFLUENCING MEAT QUALITY

    To date attention was mostly laid on the polymorphism of milk protein genes, while little is known on those genes that influence the qualitative characteristics of meat. L.G.S., in collaboration with an Australian Research Centre, carries out analysis of three important genes, which are responsible for marbling fat and meat tenderness. The Thyreoglobulin Gene (Marbling) is directly involved in thyroid gland metabolism and also controls intra-muscle fat production, an important characteristic that increases the product’s attractiveness and its market value. The Calpain and Calpastatin genes (Tenderness) are linked to meat tenderness, being also involved in post mortem proteolytic metabolism. The test, commercially called “Tenderness”, allows the determination of both genotypes, permitting the formulation of 5 classes of animals with zero, 1, 2, 3 and 4 copies of favourable alleles respectively.

     

     

    ANALYSIS OF GENES RESPONSIBLE FOR GENETIC SYNDROMES

    The genetic diseases analysed in L.G.S. are very important from an economic point of view as they can cause death or a drastic reduction of the productive and reproductive potential of the animal. As the individual carrier, completely asymptomatic, transmits the altered gene to offspring with a 50% of probability, it is important to analyse all individuals with at least one carrier among their ancestors in order to control mating and eliminate the risk of sick offspring. In order to identify the carriers of hereditary diseases the following analyses are carried out:

    Cattle

  • BLAD ( Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency )
  • DUMPS ( Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency )
  • CVM ( Complex Vertebral Malformation )
  • MULE FOOT
  • PDME( Progressive Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy )
  • SMA( Spinal Muscular Atrophy )
  • CITRULLINEMIA

    • Pigs

  • PSS ( Porcine Stress Sindrome )

    • Sheep

  • SCRAPIE

    • Dogs

  • CISTINURIA

    • ANIMAL MEAL RESEARCH IN FOODS FOR ZOOTECHNIC USE

    One of the most drastic measures in order to fight Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathies (BSE) is the prohibition of proteins from animal origin in cattle meals. This decision obliges the relevant controlling authorities and all actors in the animal breeding sector to verify compliance with this prohibition. L.G.S. uses a method based on mitochondrial DNA analysis that, thanks to its high sensitivity, allows detecting the animal species that the meal belongs to. This method helps to detect all animal meal types present in cattle feed that the official microscopic methodology is not able to detect, like for example blood meal, poultry offal, dried plasma and other blood products.

     

     

    SEX DETERMINATION IN BIRDS

    The test to determine the sex of birds and parrots in particular is based on the use of some DNA markers (Microsatellites) that are found in the two sex chromosomes W and Z. In order to perform the test, only a small quantity of blood or a few down feathers are needed, thus helping to avoid invasive methods like the endoscopy. The result has 99,99% reliability.

     

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