Anuario Raza Polo Argentino Anuario2017 | Page 252

A methodology known as assisted selection by
molecular markers has been developed based on
this type of genomic techniques, which is employed
as a support tool by geneticists, and could also
be used by breeders, which would allow them to
reduce the margin of error in taking decisions when
they have to mate a stallion to a certain mare. This
is done by determining the variation of a series
of genetic markers that exist in each individual,
and which are a part of the genome of all the
animals of a species, and comparing them to
those that exist in genetically superior animals.
Based on this comparison it is possible to get an
estimate of just how “alike” a certain known animal
may be (e.g. an elite animal) to another of which
little is as yet known. What is known as “SNP”
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markers are used for this type of study, and they
are found distributed alongside every genome of
living beings (in the horse there are reportedly over
5 million different SNPs), each of which present
two variations (one of paternal heritage and the
other of maternal heritage), known as “alleles”.
SNPs—known in scientific jargon as SNIPS)—are
specific variations in the DNA that only affect a
nitrogenous base. These changes will be present in
a foal, inherited from both dam and sire. In practice,
these alterations generate variability among
individuals and breeds and are responsible for, or
are associated with, the phenotypical variations
observed in different animals.
Just a couple of things to bear in mind regarding
genomic technology. Firstly, genetic markers are