Fragile foal syndrome (FFS)
Summary
Fragile foal syndrome (FFS) is a genetic disorder found in Warmblood horses, Thoroughbreds and breeds that have included these bloodlines. FFS usually causes foetal loss. Foals that survive until birth are born with extremely fragile skin and lax limb joints. Their skin can be easily torn or damaged by normal contact with their surroundings. Foals with FFS are usually euthenized due to their inability to stand and the continual risk of severe infection from their skin injuries.
FFS is an autosomal recessive disorder. Autosomal disorders are equally likely to affect male or female horses, while "recessive" means that a horse needs to inherit the FFS mutation from both its sire and its dam to be affected.
The carrier rate for Warmbloods in Australia is slightly over 10%. Thoroughbred carriers have also been found.
Gene or region and technical reference
Gene: LH1 (causative). Reference: Patent (not patented in Australia)
Reported alleles
n. Test developed using manufactured DNA, animal controls.
FFS. Test developed using manufactured DNA, animal cases.
Panels: groups of tests that are often ordered together
This test is not in any panels.
This foal was born dead. Its large skin tears are due to fragile foal syndrome (FFS).
