Karyotyping – Horse

In equines, karyotyping is commonly used to diagnose the genetic causes of reduced fertility. If chromosomal abnormalities are present, the karyogram provides a clear indication, facilitating targeted interventions or informed breeding decisions to mitigate reproductive issues.

Karyotyping enables the visualization of an entire set of chromosomes within a cell using a light microscope. The process involves isolating cells from the horse’s blood and arranging their chromosomes into a standardized karyogram for detailed analysis. By applying G-banding (Giemsa staining), a distinct banding pattern emerges, allowing for the identification of chromosomal anomalies. These abnormalities may include trisomies, deletions, insertions, hermaphroditism, and both reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations.