DNA REGULATIONS AND TESTING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on the specific question to link directly to the answer below.

1. When were the DNA regulations introduced?
2. How can I check if an animal has a DNA type on file with Angus Australia?
3. What if a sire I have used does not have a DNA profile recorded?
4. How long does it take to receive a result from the Laboratory?
5. How is a member notified when a result is obtained?
6. Why are samples returned by Angus Australia office?
7. What if a sire/donor dam is dead and no DNA sample is available?
8. Why was the Lab unable to obtain a DNA type from the sample submitted?
9. Can I store DNA samples?
10. Why can some breeders record ET calves by a particular donor who does not have a DNA type on file, however mine have been rejected?
11. Does an overseas donor dam flushed prior to 31/12/2002 need to be DNA fingerprinted to record resultant et calves in our Herd Book Register?

ANSWERS

1. When were the DNA regulations introduced?
   
   Herd Book & Red Angus Registers – The DNA Regulations (Reg 7.16) for HBR/RAR animals came into effect from 01/01/03.
   
   Angus Performance Register – The DNA Regulations (Reg 9.11) for APR animals came into effect from 01/01/04.
   
   
2. How can I check if an animal has a DNA type on file with Angus Australia?
    
   You can check the status of any animal using the Animal Enquiry facility on the Angus Australia website ( www.angusaustralia.com.au ) click on "Database Search - Animal Enquiry" and type in the animal's ident in the appropriate field and click on "Search" or by contacting Angus Australia on 02 6772 3011.
   
   
3. What if a sire I have used does not have a DNA profile recorded?
    
   If the sire of your HBR, RAR or APR calf does not have a DNA Fingerprint on file at the time of registration for your calves, Angus Australia will be unable to process those registrations for you and will return a Pending Registrations Report to you advising of this.
   
   Suggestions:
   
   
   1. AI Sires
      
      Contact the semen supplier and ask whether a semen sample or hair sample has been sent to be tested or if they intend to do so.
      
      Send a straw of semen for this bull to Angus Australia yourself.
      
      
   2. Natural Sires
      
      Collect hair sample from animal and dispatch to Angus Australia for testing.
      
      Note: DNA Sample bags are available for hair and semen bags by contacting the Angus Australia Office on 02 6772 3011.
      
      
4.  How long does it take to receive a result from the Laboratory?
   
   It can take 4 to 6 weeks from when the Laboratory receives the sample before you receive your results.
   
   
5. How is a member notified when a result is obtained.
   
   The Society sends member copy of DNA type report as soon as it is received via post and asks members to contact Angus Australia if calves are pending.
   
   
6. Why are samples returned by Angus Australia office?
   
   The Society will return samples to the breeder for the following reasons:
   
   1. The details on the test request form have not been completed correctly. The main problem we seem to incur are that members fail to sign the request form.
      
   2. The animal is not in the ownership of the person submitting the sample. Up to this point Angus Australia has been returning hair samples submitted by breeders who were not the recorded owner of the animal. We are now however, contacting the recorded owner to advise them that a hair sample has been submitted and whether they have any reason why this sample should not be sent to the Lab, as in many cases it is simply a matter of the vendor not having transferred the animal. If the animal in question has been purchased but not yet transferred, we will also send transfer application to Vendor. Please note that there will be time delays while we contact the recorded owner.
      
      
7. What if a sire/donor dam is dead and no DNA sample is available?
   
   At the Council meeting held August 2003 it was resolved that under no circumstance would a calf be entered into the HBR, RAR or APR if its sire/donor dam was not DNA typed.
   
   For HBR/RAR calves born 2003 where the sire/donor dam was not DNA typed, these calves may be recorded in the APR. Please note however that the same DNA regulations apply to the APR from the beginning of 2004.
   
   Options:
   
   
   1. Blood Plasma
      
      If the animal was blood typed at the Blood Typing Lab at Queensland University, they may still have some blood plasma that could be used to obtain a DNA type.
      
      
   2. Genotype deduction
      
      In some cases the DNA Fingerprint of an animal can be reconstructed by testing relatives.
      
      Genotype deduction was recently done successfully for a bull that died while the breeder did not collect a hair sample or had semen available to obtain a DNA fingerprint.
      
      Genotype deduction may require up to:
      • DNA samples of 15 progeny
      • DNA samples of the dams of those progeny
      • DNA samples of the sire and dam of the animal
      • DNA samples of sibs and half sibs could also be helpful

   It is important to note that there is no guarantee that the genotype deduction process will work for all animals. Please contact Carel Teseling if you wish to discuss this process.

8. Why was the Lab unable to obtain a DNA type from the sample submitted?
   
   We have had a number of hair samples submitted to the DNA Labs that they have been unable to obtain DNA from as the hair sample had gone mouldy or the hair had been cut from the animals tail and not pulled.
   
   Wet samples must not be placed in the DNA collector. Place them in the sun for a few minutes to dry and brush the sample to remove excess dirt and manure. Under no circumstances do you cut the hair from the tail as the DNA is taken from the follicle at the end of the hair (inside the skin).
   
   Please read the supplied instructions pamphlet carefully to avoid unnecessary time and cost.
   
   
9. Can I store DNA samples?
   
   If you wanted to collect hair samples from back-up sires and only submit them for analysis if the AI sire has not taken, you need to place them in a normal mailing envelope clearly marked with the animals name and ident and place them in storage (Your filing cabinet or shoe box is fine). It is very important to store only clean and dry hair samples as the DNA may degrade quickly if the sample is contaminated in any way. Only place the samples in the DNA collectors/bags when sending it off to Angus Australia for testing. If you store them in the plastic bags (not recommended) you need to place them in the freezer to avoid the hair sample becoming mouldy and then place in the collector/bag to submit.
   
   Although one could sometimes store DNA successfully it is recommended the DNA sample is analysed sooner rather than later. This should ensure the animal is still available to allow re-collection if the DNA sample is not of good enough quality for successful analysis.
   
   
10. Why can some breeders record ET calves by a particular donor who does not have a DNA type on file, however mine have been rejected?
    
    The recording of ET calves is dependant on when the donor dam was actually flushed. For HBR/RAR ET calves, if the donor dam was flushed prior to 31/12/2002 she does not need to have a DNA type on file however if the flush date is after 31/12/2002 the donor dam will need to be DNA typed.
    
    Hence, if a breeder has HBR ET calves recorded from a donor dam who has not been DNA typed it was because these ET calves resulted from a flush taken prior to 31/12/2002.
    
    All APR embryo transplant donor dams flushed after 31/12/2003 shall be DNA fingerprinted.
    
    
11. Does an overseas donor dam flushed prior to 31/12/2002 need to be DNA fingerprinted to record resultant ET calves in our Herd Book Register?
    
    If the overseas donor dam has already been recorded in our Australian Herd Book register then she does not need to be DNA fingerprinted if she was flushed prior to 31/12/2002, however the breeder must supply copy of flush report to validate the flush date.
    
    If she is not currently recorded in our Australian Herd Book she will first need to be recorded in the Australian Herd Book before any calves may be registered. In this case the regulations regarding the recording of an imported or overseas animal will apply i.e a DNA type certificate must be supplied. (Please refer to regulations relating to the registration of imported or overseas animals)