Editing Akhal-Teke (section)

==Genetic diseases==

There are several genetic diseases of concern to Akhal-Teke breeders. The [[genetic diversity]] of the breed is relatively low with an [[F-statistics|AVK]] (Ancestor Loss Coefficient <ref>AVK is the loss of ancestors of possible ancestors in the pedigree due to some ancestors showing up more than once in the pedigree</ref>) of 30-50%,{{dubious|date=August 2013}} which raises concerns for dealing with an increase in carriers of these conditions, and even some risk of [[inbreeding depression]].<ref name="Genetic">{{cite web| url = http://www.akhalteke.info/genetic-defects-and-diseases-1-70-en.html | title = Genetic Defects and Diseases Akhal-Teke: A Differentiated View | access-date=January 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721183900/http://www.akhalteke.info/genetic-defects-and-diseases-1-70-en.html|archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=August 2013}}<!--source is for entire paragraph--> To date, there are no [[DNA]] tests for these conditions.

* ''[[Naked foal syndrome|Naked Foal Syndrome]]'' or ''Hairless Foal Syndrome'' is believed to be a [[Genetic disorder#Single gene disorder|monogenic]] [[autosomal]], lethal [[recessive gene]] in the Akhal-Teke breed. Foals with this condition have been reported since 1938. Research at the [[University of Bern]] in Switzerland is ongoing to develop a DNA test for the condition.<ref name="Bern">{{cite web |title=Hairlessness / Naked Foal Syndrome (NFS) in the Akhal-Teke |url=http://www.genetics.unibe.ch/research/horse/hairlessness___naked_foal_syndrome_nfs_in_the_akhal_teke/index_eng.html |date=2016 |website=Institute of Genetics, University of Bern |access-date=30 August 2016 |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405211648/http://www.genetics.unibe.ch/research/horse/hairlessness___naked_foal_syndrome_nfs_in_the_akhal_teke/index_eng.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>  It appears to be similar in clinical signs, though not identical to, [[Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (veterinary medicine)|junctional epidermolysis bullosa]] (JEB) found in the [[American Belgian Draft|Belgian]] horse and another condition of a similar nature identified in the [[American Saddlebred]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akhalteke.info/the-hairless-foal-syndrome-1-66-en.html |title=Akhalteke.info |publisher=Akhalteke.info |access-date=November 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315183528/http://www.akhalteke.info/the-hairless-foal-syndrome-1-66-en.html|archive-date=March 15, 2012}}</ref> The defect causes foals to be born without any hair coat, mane or tail. In some cases, the front teeth are in at birth or molars grow abnormally from normal jaws. Other symptoms include persistent [[diarrhea]], frequent digestive disorders, and [[laminitis]]-like, treatment-resistant rotation of the [[coffin bone]]s in the [[horse hoof|hooves]]. Due to the lack of normal skin protection, secondary symptoms include scaly, dry, and inflamed skin, as well as severe cases of sunburn in summer, and frequent pulmonary infections during winter. NFS is always fatal; most foals die within weeks of birth, although some horses have survived up to the age of two years. Early demise is usually caused by digestive problems, whereas older horses need to be humanely [[animal euthanasia|euthanized]] because of severe laminitis-induced pain. Some carriers have been identified, including 943 Arslan, 736 Keymir, 2001 Mariula, or 1054 Gilkuyruk, but the estimated number of unknown cases is likely higher, as several Russian and Turkmenian breeders have acknowledged that NFS foals are often just reported as stillborn or aborted.<ref>"The Stavropol Sphinx", Akhal Teke Inform 2006</ref><ref>e.g. "10th Studbook, tome II, page 160": 2860 Mriya, naked foal (dead) b.2000, by 1201 Kavkas, published in 2005 by VNIIK, Ryasan</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hairless Foal Photos|access-date=May 8, 2010|url= http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/hairless/hairlesshorsephotos.html|publisher=Ultimatehorsesite.com|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610082839/http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/hairless/hairlesshorsephotos.html|archive-date=June 10, 2011}}</ref>
* ''Hereditary [[cryptorchidism]]'' exists within the Akhal-Teke breed and affected stallions can be traced through multiple generations. The influential foundation sire, 2a Boinou was a cryptorchid according to experts of the breed. Other verified cryptorchids include 779 Peren, 1248 Orlan, 971 Khalif, Sayvan, Saburbek, and Garayusup.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.maakcenter.org/ENG/Moscow2003/showres_p.html|access-date=May 8, 2009|title=Citation: Stallion Garaiusup, black, "Young World Champion 2002", was granted a Special Prize for the most expressed breed type, but the jury had to move him to the 8th place because of unilateral cryptorchidism and spavin.|publisher=Maakcenter.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719014244/http://www.maakcenter.org/ENG/Moscow2003/showres_p.html|archive-date=July 19, 2013}}</ref> 1069 Kortik produced a cryptorchid. Unlike many European and North American breed organisations, neither Russia nor Turkmenistan bar cryptorchids from breeding. Cryptorchidism is said to be related to health and behavior problems. Affected horses are more expensive to castrate.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.thehorse.com/articles/11443/stallion-or-gelding|title=Stallion or Gelding?|journal=The Horse|author=Smith Thomas, Heather|date=July 1, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309200358/http://www.thehorse.com/articles/11443/stallion-or-gelding|archive-date=March 9, 2014}}</ref> There are no studbook regulations related to the use of cryptorchid stallions.  Breeders balance the risk of cryptorchidism against propagating other desirable qualities. Some national Akhal Teke associations, however, ban Cryptorchidism from breeding.
* The Akhal-Teke is one of many light riding horse breeds that may be prone to cervical vertebral malformation (CVM), commonly called ''[[Wobbler syndrome]]'',<ref name=Wobbler/> and to [[Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis]] (DSLD).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.akhalteke.info/dsld-1-69-en.html |title=Akhalteke.info |publisher=Akhalteke.info |access-date=November 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302032005/http://www.akhalteke.info/dsld-1-69-en.html|archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> These conditions are seen in a number of other breeds, including the [[Thoroughbred]]. There is likely a genetic component to Wobbler's, but the mechanism has not been clearly identified.  There also is a possible connection to [[Osteochondritis dissecans]] (OCD).<ref name=Wobbler>{{cite web|url=http://www.akhalteke.info/wobbler-syndrome-1-71-en.html | title = "Wobbler Syndrome" Akhal-Teke: A Differentiated View | access-date=January 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302032156/http://www.akhalteke.info/wobbler-syndrome-1-71-en.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012 }}</ref>