The following
information reflects the opinion of Dr. Leslie Lyons and is not an endorsement
for any laboratory and may or may not reflect the opinion of UC Davis.
Dr. Lyons works closely with the UC
Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory but also has many colleagues
in animal testing laboratories throughout the world.
How to select a DNA testing laboratory
A variety of commercial laboratories
will provide DNA parentage, identification and genetic tests for
coat colors, PKD and other diseases. Below is a listing of laboratories
known to Dr. Lyons' to have established DNA testing for cats, and/or are
preparing to provide the services. This list is not meant to be
exhaustive and does not reflect any endorsement by the investigator or
UC Davis. The following information should be considered when selecting
the DNA testing laboratory that best suits your and your cats' needs.
1. Get a DNA fingerprint
with your cat test
The results from the PKD
or any other test test can be easily confused or purposely swapped between cats, thus breeders
should strongly consider a PKD test that includes an identification panel
of DNA markers, a.k.a. a DNA fingerprint. The DNA fingerprint is a unique
identifier for the cat and can be confirmed at any time. By using the
DNA fingerprint test in addition to the PKD test, parentage can be confirmed
and the pedigrees validated. Horse registries have been using DNA identification
for nearly 10 years to validate pedigrees. Dogs registries are also now
performing DNA testing. Collection of the DNA samples can be performed
by the breeders since a DNA fingerprint can always be challenged and proven.
This eliminates any need for collection of samples by a third party, such
as a veterinarian.
A standardized
cat identification / parentage panel has been developed by the Lyons'
laboratory and has been validated by a comparison test with over a dozen
laboratories worldwide. Thus, a cat tested in the US should have the
exact same results if re-tested in another laboratory in another part
of the world. The cat DNA fingerprint test will help validate pedigrees
and genetic test results from any part of the world.
2. Confirm the reputation of the laboratory
The first laboratory to
offer testing is not always the best! Well established DNA testing laboratories exist worldwide. These laboratories have
had years of DNA-based testing in other species, such as horses and dogs.
Breeders are encouraged to identify laboratories that have experience
and/or can demonstrate proficiency with both PKD testing and DNA identification.
3. Pick a laboratory with good customer service, knowledge of cat and/or animal breeding, and are willing to counsel.
Cattery management and genetic
counseling will be an important service once results are provided by the
laboratory to the breeder. A service laboratory should be very willing
to provide additional information, feedback and assistance with test interpretation
and the implications for the breeding program.
4. Re-invest in
cat research when possible
Some laboratories are not
for profit, such as the UC Davis
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. All proceeds from animal DNA testing
are used to improve research within the university and are not available
to augment salaries of any VGL employee, Dr. Lyons or the laboratry employees
of Dr. Lyons. A majority of the "profits" are reinvested in
feline research to develop genetic tests.
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DNA Test Costs
Each testing laboratory
can establish their own price for the cost of the PKD test. Since the
DNA swabs are stable and can be shipped in the regular mail, breeders
are advised to focus on reliability, reputation, customer service and
investment in cat research for future genetic testing during the selection
of their testing laboratory. Laboratories are generally willing to negotiate
for lower testing costs if multiple tests are requested, such as coat
color tests (agouti, brown, and color). Additionally, if groups or registeries
can organized "bulk" shipments of samples and assist with data
management, lower rates can be negotiated. After paying the licensing
fee for the test, each laboratory will have to pay annual royalities for
each PKD test. After patent and associated costs are recovered by the
University of California, testing revenue from license fees and royalites
are shared with the University and the patent investigators. Patent investigators
have the option to re-invest revenue into feline research.
Please contact the UC
Davis Office of Research for further assistance for information on the UC patent policy and procedures.
DNA Testing Laboratory Contacts
Presented below are testing
laboratories that have participated in the International Society of Animal Genetics Cat comparison test (in bold) for the development of thcat parentage / identification
panel and laboratories that are known to do other cat genetic testing. The
list is not exhasutive and not meant as an endorsement. If you would
like you laboratory added to the list, please contact the Lyons' Laboratory
at: felinegenome@ucdavis.edu. Here is a list of service laboratories (Excel file) and which tests they perform! Additional information about cat genetic tests can be found on the "Other Resources" page.
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Laboratory |
Location |
Website |
Veterinary Genetics Lab |
Davis, CA |
www.vgl.ucdavis.edu |
Australian Specialized Animal |
Clayton, Australia |
www.asaplab.com.au |
Animal DNA Testing |
Melbourne, Australia |
www.animalsdna.com |
Animal Health Trust |
Suffolk, England |
www.aht.org.uk |
Antagene Immeuble Le Meltem |
La tour de Salvagny, France |
www.antagene.com |
Bio Axis DNA Research Center |
Hyderabad, India |
www.dnares.in |
Genindexe |
La Rochelle, France |
www.genindexe.com |
Genomia s.r.o. |
Plzen, Czech Republic |
www.genomia.cz |
Genoscoper |
Helsinki, Finland |
www.genoscoper.com |
Gribbles Veterinary |
Glenside, Australia |
www.gribblesvets.com |
Laboklin |
Bad Kissingen, Germany |
www.laboklin.de |
Langford Veterinary Services |
Langford, United Kingdom |
www.langfordvets.co.uk |
Penngen |
Philadelphia, PA |
research.vet.upenn.edu/penngen |
Progenus S. A. |
Gembloux, Belgium |
www.progenus.be |
Van Haeringen Laboratory |
Wageningen, Netherlands |
www.vhlgenetics.com |
Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
(Texas A&M University) |
College Station, TX |
www.vetmed.tamu.ed/animalgenetics |
VetGen |
Ann Arbor, MI |
www.vetgen.com |
Vetogene |
Milano, Italy |
www.vetogene.com |
Weatherby Ireland Lab |
Wellingtonborough, UK |
www.weatherbys-group.com |
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