A1/A2 test from semen?

[tonhou]

I am wondering if the test can be done from semen - and is it legitimate to test if the animal is not owned by you?

--Tony

[jamshundred]

Hi Tony,

Yes. You have to take care in packaging the straw. If crushed in the mail and the semen leaks out it is doubtful they will be able to test. Had that happen just recently when I did not think to tell someone to protect the straw with bubble wrap or tape it to cardboard and fold over it.

ANY test that is available can be done with semen.

Judy

[marion]

If I'm understanding the question, you have bought some semen and want to test it for A1/A2. I think in that case it would not be against any rule, to test the straw for beta casein even if you do not own the animal that was collected.

[tonhou]

Thanks folks. In the NZ Dexter world A1/A2 is little talked about, and any semen available locally is from bulls that have not been tested. In our small herd situation most animals we have are A1/A2 except a young 8 month bull we had high hopes for - he is A1/A1 !!!
Yes, we do have semen from 2 UK bulls that is available in NZ hence the question.

It is just the challenge of trying to move toward A2/A2.

--Tony

[cddexter]

Tony, they can test dna from hair, semen or meat, even old teeth according to Judy. if you are mailing a straw, use one of the plastic semen sleeves the AI tech uses to store the semen in groups, or gut a ball point pen and stick the straw in that. Cardboard doesn't work. Bubble wrap would, probably, unless the envelope got badly bent. cheers, c.