Stop pulling new hair: bloodline centre

The Australian Equine Genetics Research Centre (AEGRC) at UQ has warned all horse breeders not to collect new hair samples for DNA verification.

AEGRC Director Associate Professor Ann Trezise said the advice was given to minimise the movement of people between horses and reduce the possible spread of equine influenza.

“This only applies to the collection of new hair samples,” Associate Professor Trezise said.

“Hair samples that have already been collected are biologically secure and can be sent to the AEGRC for testing in the normal way.

“This applies until further notice for all states and territories and follows the advice from the Department of Primary Industries (NSW) and the Australian Stud Book.”

The AEGRC uses DNA profiling to verify the parentage of all racing thoroughbreds and many other horse breeds in Australia including Arabians and Quarter horses.

DNA profiling confirms horse identity and pedigree. Australian thoroughbred horses need AEGRC verification before they are bought, sold or raced.

Thoroughbred parentage testing had relied on blood typing until 2002.

Now DNA profiling is the international standard and allows much quicker pedigree and identity confirmation.

DNA is extracted from hairs from the horses' manes with about 30 hairs usually sent for analysis.

The AEGRC is part of the School of Biomedical Sciences within UQ's Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences.

MEDIA: Associate Professor Trezise (07 3365 3647 or 0414 365 299) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (3365 2619)