Background
Retinitis pigmentosa is a form of an inherited degenerative retinal disorder that is characterized by progressive death of photoreceptor cells. Symptoms typically start with loss of night vision due to degeneration of rod-photoreceptors, followed by degeneration of cone-photoreceptors leading to loss of central vision and eventually to complete blindness. A frameshift mutation in the Retinitis pigmentosa-1 gene (RP1) which segregates in several European cattle breeds is responsible for an autosomal recessive inherited form of the disease.
Test specific information
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Age
‘Late onset’ – This phrase indicates, that the symptoms of the disease can be detected at a later ages. ‘Late onset’ is the opposite of ‘early onset’, in which symptoms may be present at younger ages. The phrases are used because the mutation causing ´late onset´ symptoms may be different compared to the mutations causing ´early onset´ symptoms.
Turnaround time
The Turnaround Time (TAT) depends on various factors, such as the shipment time of your sample to the test location, the test method(s) and whether the tests are performed completely or partially by a Partner Lab or Patent owner.
The TAT of tests performed at our facilities is normally 10 working days after receipt of the sample at the testing laboratory (VHL, VHP or Certagen). For tests performed by a Partner Laboratory (so-called "partner lab test") or patent owner, the TAT is at least 20 working days after receipt of your sample. Because the shipment time to our Partner Labs or patent owner may vary due to factors we cannot influence, the mentioned 20 working days are therefore an estimate.
PLEASE NOTE
Sometimes it is necessary to re-run your sample. We call this a retest. In that case, the TAT will of course be extended.
Location of disease or trait
This disease is present in the entire body, but causes main effects in the internal organs such as stomach, intestinal tract, liver and / or kidneys. In a number of cases, the disease affects one major internal organ.
Breed dependence
This DNA test is available for the following breeds: Belgian Blue, Charolais, Holstein. Additional information is available in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Sample type
For this DNA test we accept the following materials: Blood EDTA, Blood Heparin, Semen, Tissue, Hair. Please contact Dr. Van Haeringen Laboratorium if you wish to submit other material as listed.
Result
An animal can be free and has in that situation two healthy alleles. When used in breeding this animal will not become ill due to the disease. It cannot spread the disease in the population.
An animal can be carrier and has in that situation one healthy and one disease allele. When used in breeding 50 percent of the offspring will receive the disease allele. Carriers will not become ill.
An animal can be affected and has in that situation two disease alleles. When used in breeding all offspring will also receive the disease allele. Affected will become ill.
Inheritance
This genetic factor is inherited in an autosomal, recessive, mode. This means, that the individual can be free of the disease (homozygote normal), affected (homozygous affected) or carrier (heterozygous).
Carriers may spread the mutation in a population without showing symptoms themselves. Because of this, it is extremely important to identify carriers correctly to prevent spreading of a mutation.
Severity of Disease
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