Unraveling the genetics behind health problems in grey alpacas.

Principal investigator:

Kylie A. Munyard, BSc, PhD
Curtin University
Melbourne, Australia

Breeding for coat color can sometimes be associated with health problems due to the intricate genetics at play behind this practice. In alpacas, grey is a sought after and highly variable color pattern. However, this coloration is sometimes linked to serious health issues, including deafness and neonatal death. Researchers will examine the DNA of healthy grey-colored alpacas to gain an understanding of the health implications of different genetic versions of this color. This process is expected to help identify DNA markers that could be used in a screening test to reduce the incidence of serious health issues in grey alpacas and their offspring.

Morris Animal Foundation partially funded by ARF