What is G6S Deficiency?

If you’ve surfed around this website at all, you’ll know that the Size Matters herd is G6S normal. So what does that mean, and why is it important?

G-6-Sulfatase deficiency is a recessive genetic defect that affects Nubian goats and Nubian goat crosses. Goats can be negative for the gene, carriers of the gene (but have no symptoms), or positive for the deficiency. If two carriers of the gene are bred, they can produce offspring who will display symptoms of the disease. If you do not know the G6S status of your goat, it’s important to test so that you don’t inadvertently pass the disease to further generations. Male carriers of the disease should be wethered; and females should avoid being bred, or bred only to G6S negative bucks (with the understanding that her offspring may also be carriers).

Goats who have the disease can display muscular incoordination, poor growth, immune system suppression and in general, failure to thrive. They usually do not live past 6 months. Goat owners who are not aware of G6S deficiency can and do spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to figure out what is wrong with their goats; treating for various parasites and nutritional problems. While it’s true that these goats are more prone to parasites, the underlying cause is the G6S deficiency, which cannot be fixed. Please consider testing your herd to avoid the further spread of this disease. Reduced rates for registered goats are available through ADGA (Nubians) and MDGA (Mini Nubians). The test is very simple and can be run on a sample of hair that you can collect. Results are available 2-6 days after the sample is received. According to my vet, G6S rates used to be close to 20-25% of the Nubian population; thanks to careful breeding, the rates are MUCH lower now. Mini Nubian owners should also consider entering their goats in the G6S database. It’s free! http://g6sdata-mn.com/reported-status.html

For more information about testing through ADGA, click here: http://adga.org/g6s-testing-now-offered-at-vgl/

For more information about testing through MDGA, click here: http://miniaturedairygoats.net/uc_davis_testing.html

Source: http://adga.org/n-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfatase-deficiency-g6s-mpsiiid/