Naked Foal Syndrome (NFS)
Gene or Region: ST14
Reference Variant: G
Mutant Variant: T
Affected Breeds: Akhal Teke
Research Confidence: Moderate confidence, strong correlation in larger studies
Explanation of Results: nfs/nfs = homozygous for Naked Foal Syndrome, trait likely expressed/likely lethal nfs/n = heterozygous for Naked Foal Syndrome, carrier n/n = no variant detected
General Description for Naked Foal Syndrome
Naked Foal Syndrome (NFS) is a recessive genetic disorder resulting in the birth of foals with little to no hair and a general weakness with death occurring early in life (weeks to months).
References
Bauer, A., Hiemesch, T., Jagannathan, V., Neuditschko, M., Bachmann, I., Rieder, S., Mikko, S., Penedo, M. C., Tarasova, N., Vitková, M., Sirtori, N., Roccabianca, P., Leeb, T., & Welle, M. M. (2017). A Nonsense Variant in the ST14 Gene in Akhal-Teke Horses with Naked Foal Syndrome. G3 (Bethesda), 7(4), 1315-1321. doi: 10.1534/g3.117.039511
More Horse Health
Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency
Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) is a lethal recessive disorder characterized by seizures, muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and death. Many affected foals do not make it full term and are aborted or stillborn. Carriers (gbed/n) have no known issues.
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) is a degenerative skin disease that primarily affects the American Quarter Horse. Loose skin is often an early indication of the disease, and severe seromas, hematomas, ulcerations usually develop around 1.5 years of age. There is no cure, and the majority of affected animals have to be euthanized within 2-4 years.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus (HDC) is an abnormal build up of cerebral spinal fluid around the brain. It is believed that a narrowed passage within the brain prevents normal fluid absorption, leading to an obvious external cranial distension. Affected foals are often stillborn and are associated with dystocia in the dams.