Lexicon

The Leopard-Complex leads to extensive white colouration on the hip region or the whole body with pigmented spots ("leopard spots"). There is a great variety of pattern expression: Variable amount of white, variable pigmentation of the spots, spots with and without fringe etc., the exact genetics of the pattern (distribution) is not yet fully understood.

Other characteristic traits are white stripes on hooves, visible white sclera in eyes, speckled/mottled skin around the eyes, muzzle and genital regions, progressive “varnish roan” coat color.

The pattern 1 mutation can strongly influence the amount of white in leopard spotted horses.

Leopard-Complex is associated with the Congenital Stationary Nightblindness (CSNB) if two copies (LP/LP) are present.

Genetic parentage assessment is an indispensable tool in animal breeding and husbandry, especially for checking parent animals and ensuring correct breeding lines. A key statistical tool in this context is the likelihood ratio (LR). The concept quantifies the probability of two competing hypotheses about the parentage of an animal. The calculation of the LR in animal breeding must take into account that there may be doubts about the identity of both parents.

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is also known as "Canine Stress Syndrome (CSS)". Affected animals exhibit symptoms such as high fever, muscle cramps/stiffness, or respiratory distress. Some affected animals appear healthy, but exhibit the above symptoms under stress.

The disease occurs in many breeds. The inheritance is autosomal dominant. It occurs when one or both copies of the gene (n/MH or MH/MH) are affected by the mutation.

Genetic Test: available in Shop

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) causes anesthesia- or stress-induced muscle rigidity with fever and respiratory distress. MH results in death of the horse in approximately 34% of cases.

The disease occurs in Quarter Horses and related breeds. The inheritance is autosomal dominant.

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The dog has black markings over the muzzle and face ("mask"). This colour pattern is caused by the Em allele of the extension locus.

See: Extension (Coat colour E-Locus Dog)

Merle coloured dogs show a pattern of darker and lighter patches which appears random. The eyes may be lighter or blue in colour.

The colour is caused by the M allele of the M locus. Homozygous animals (M/M) have severe health problems such as deafness, blindness and organ problems.

Genetic Test: available in Shop

Muscle Integrity Myopathy (formerly known as "PSSM2") is form of Exertional Myopathy (link in those words), in which the structure and/or function of the muscle is disrupted.  It is caused by hereditary predisposition and various environmental factors (age, feeding, husbandry). Typical symptoms can include unexplained lameness, muscle stiffness, difficulties with gait changes/coordination, reluctance to move, muscle atrophy and/or difficulty building muscle. Almost any breed of horse can be affected.
Six genetic variants that can disrupt muscle structure and/or function have been identified in horses. These predispose a horse to developing symptoms of exertional myopathy.

Muscle Integrity Myopathy Test: available in Shop

Mushroom is a coat colour unique to the Shetland Pony, where phaeomelanin (chestnut colour) is lightened to a light sepia shade. Mushroom can also slightly affect the coat colour of ponies with bay base colour.

The colour is inherited autosomal recessively. Animals with one copy of the mutation (N/mu) show no dilution. Only animals with two copies of the mutation (mu/mu) show the Mushroom dilution.

Genetic Test: available in Shop

MYH1 Myopathy is an autoimmune disease where a horse can have an immune reaction against its own muscle cells.  There are two clinical presentations of MYHM: 

Immune-mediated myopathy (IMM) and non-exertional rhabdomyolysis.

The tested genetic mutation is a risk factor for these conditions. The disease is incomplete autosomal dominant and occurs in Quarter Horses and related breeds.

Naked Foal Syndrome (NFS) refers to lethal hairlessness in Akhal-Teke horses. Affected foals have almost no hair and usually die shortly after birth. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessively.

Genetic Test: available in Shop