Genetic Visions-ST™ is excited to announce they will offer an exclusive test for the Slick gene to their three genetic testing packages, Vision+75™, Vision+50™ and Vision+20™. A stand-alone test for the Slick gene will also be offered. Slick gene testing is also available for beef animals. Genetic Visions-ST™ secured the exclusive license for utilizing the Slick 1 mutation from Livestock Improvement Cooperation (LIC) in New Zealand, effective October 1st.
LIC discovered the exact gene location of the Slick 1 variant in cattle, which leads to short hair coat and so improved heat tolerance. LIC patented the test for the Slick 1 variant and first licensed third parties in 2020. The new agreement with Genetic Visions-ST™ provides customers with affordable access to Slick genotypes, thus greatly increasing the volume of genotyped animals and enabling rare carriers of the Slick mutation to be identified for further breeding. LIC remains committed to their heat tolerance research and breeding program in New Zealand, which has application in LIC’s domestic and overseas markets.
Beginning October 1st, Vision+75™ customers will receive Slick genotypes as part of the Standard Marker package. This package will also be available for Vision+50™ and Vision+20™ customers who pay the upgrade fee. Customers only wanting Slick genotypes can request a stand-alone assay.
“Slick coat is an inherited tropical adaptation first noticed in Criollo breeds of cattle in the Caribbean and is associated with short hair and increased thermoregulatory ability. At least six different mutations have been described in the PRLR gene that cause the Slick phenotype,” says Alan Mileham, Genetic Visions Senior Lead Researcher. “The Slick 1 mutation is the most common and is present in Senepol cattle. It was first described by Littlejohn et al in 2014*.
Mileham adds that the Slick mutation has been introduced into dairy breeds such as Holsteins, but the allele frequency is very low. However, as Slick is a dominant mutation, the Slick phenotype is seen in both homozygous and heterozygous animals, which enables the exploitation of the mutation in breeding strategies.
In 2020, Genetic Visions-ST™ took out a non-exclusive license for the use of the Slick 1 mutation in cattle. The test was incorporated into Genetic Visions-ST™ proprietary Axiom genotyping arrays for dairy and beef cattle. While a stand-alone genotyping assay is also available, testing demand has been very low. Now Genetic Visions-ST™ is the exclusive source for Slick Gene genomic testing.
Genetic Visions-ST™ is committed to creating healthy and high-performance herds by bringing the best genetic solutions to the agricultural industry, and this new offering enhances their ability to assist dairy and beef farmers in accomplishing just that.
Farmers interested in learning more about the Slick Gene test or arranging tests for their herd can talk with their STgenetics® sales representative or contact the Beef/Dairy Inside Sales Team at 1-844-828-7849 or email at dairy@stgen.com.
Genetic Visions-ST™ is a division of STgen™. Located in Navasota, Texas, STgen™ is making the world greener, more sustainable and profitable. By improving herd genetics through science and technology, we believe that the best way to predict the future is to create it, while feeding the world with our passion for the beef and dairy industries. The STgen™ Integrated Approach to management combines cutting edge genetics, innovation driven programs and gender-sorted semen to aid farmers in improving cattle performance to feed the world while reducing their carbon footprint.
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