GeneSeek offers test for Holstein Cholesterol Deficiency

LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 16, 2016 — Following the recent discovery of the Holstein Haplotype for Cholesterol Deficiency (HCD), GeneSeek is now offering a test for confirmation of HCD.

HCD limits a Holstein calf’s ability to produce cholesterol and is generally fatal within months if homozygous (carrying two copies). Current research indicates that animals heterozygous for HCD (inheriting just one copy) have reduced cholesterol. The recent discovery of the causative mutation means animals can now be more reliably tested for carrier status. This will be important in determining the status of animals that were previously identified as “suspect carrier” by the existing haplotype test provided through the Council for Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB).

“We are pleased to be able to add to the information we can provide to our clients to help them evaluate an individual animal’s positive and negative traits,” said Stewart Bauck, DVM, general manager of Neogen’s GeneSeek operations. “At Neogen we have worked for years on the development of dairy genomic programs, because we understand just how critical it is for those in the dairy business to select the best available sires and dams from their pool of available animals to produce the next calf crop. Selecting carriers of HCD, or another haplotype or negative trait common to Holsteins, can be very costly, and impact the productivity and profitability of a herd for years.”

Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG) develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. Neogen’s animal genomics business, GeneSeek, provides value-added services to leading agricultural genetics providers, large national cattle associations, companion animal breed registries, university researchers, and numerous commercial cattle producers. For more information, visit www.Neogen.com