An Introduction to SPARKS

SPARKS  (Single Population Analysis and Record Keeping System) is software which can work out how related to each other any  member of a specified population is (the mean kinship)  It can also work out how related to the rest of the population the progeny of a mating  between any licensed stallion any mare will be. SPARKS was produced for use by stud book keepers in zoos to enable strictly controlled captive breeding programmes; to identified priority breeders and to maintain the widest possible genetic base.    Andy Dell sourced this software and has adapted it for the Society’s use.  Each animal is put into  a ‘Mean Kinship band’ (A to G) according the genetic rarity. Although the kind of breeding programmes carried out in the closed environment of zoos cannot be replicated with the Cleveland Bay, the scientific principles are well proven, and the software can provide valuable data to guide both the Society and individual breeders as to which matings will give rise to the long term genetic health of the Breed. On a purely voluntary basis Andy inputs all the data each year and produces an individual data sheet for every registered pure bred mare which lists the  kinship of a foal out of that mare by any of the licensed stallions. These printed sheets are available free to the owner of the mare or a CD, which contains the data for all mares, can be purchased for £20 plus p&p (with the discs for subsequent years being supplied for £10 on return of the previous years disc). NB the data contained on these discs is valid for that specified year only.  With new animals being born, others dying and new stallions licensed the genetic make up of the Breed is  constantly changing therefore the calculations have to be re done each year.  PLEASE do not use out of date mare sheets or CDs The following guidance notes are sent out with each mare sheet:-      CLEVELAND BAY HORSE SOCIETY - 2005 Guidance on the use of SPARKS Data Sheets INTRODUCTION These sheets are produced as an aid to Mare owners when selecting prospective stallions. They are based on pedigree & genetic analysis of the studbook using the SPARKS and GENES software packages. They do not look at the physical attributes of any stallion or potential progeny. Mare owners must continue to use their own best judgment regarding this. The analysis calculates Mean Kinships for every known pure-bred Cleveland Bay in the world population.  This is a measure of how related an individual is to every other living Cleveland Bay. It takes into account inbreeding coefficients, but also a variety of other measures of genetic health of the population. Each datasheet provides a Mean Kinship figure for a named mare and assigns the mare to a Mean Kinship Band based on this figure. The table names every licensed stallion and orders them by: their location Home or Overseas their own Mean Kinship band and the Kinship Coefficient of the progeny of mating with the named mare. (This is not the same as the Mean Kinship, but is closely related. It is in-fact the inbreeding coefficient of the progeny) SELECTION Mare owners are encouraged to use a stallion from either the same or an adjacent kinship band i.e. a band F mare would ideally be covered by a stallion from bands E to G. By adhering to this guidance we prevent the bringing together of rare and more common bloodlines, which would be detrimental to the future genetic health of the breed Having identified appropriate bandings in the previous 2 stages, look at the Kinship Coefficient figures in the 4th column of the table against these stallions. This is the Kinship Coefficient of the potential progeny of a mating between the named mare and that stallion. You should choose matings that give progeny of lower Kinship Coefficient than the Mean Kinship of both of the parent animals. Ideally choose matings giving progeny of Kinship Coefficient lower than the average for the whole population(i.e. less than 0.225475344 in 2005) Avoid choosing matings giving progeny with Kinship Coefficient greater than the Mean Kinship of the parent animals. To avoid inbreeding steer well clear of matings giving progeny with Kinship Coefficient greater than 0.24 Band D E F G mare owners should avoid the temptation to jump bands “and select a stallion based on the lowest possible Mean Kinship of progeny. This runs the risk of bringing together rare and more common genes but also brings down the average mean kinship of the population too quickly. Whilst this reduction might seem good in the short term it actually reduces the maximum potential reduction in the future. THE AIMS OF THE PROJECT The avoidance of mixing of rare bloodlines The maximizing of genetic diversity of the whole population This will show through a gradual reduction in the average mean kinship of the whole population The reduction of the level of inbreeding in the population without compromising the above Dissemination of information on an annual basis to enable breeders to work towards these goals. By adopting these strategies we hope to stop the loss of genetic diversity and increasing levels of inbreeding that are becoming apparent in the population. This in turn should help avoid future problems of increasing infertility, foal mortality, deformity and other genetically linked phenomena. ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION The review of feedback from users of the 2004 sheets highlighted the need for information on availability of stallions by artificial insemination. In collating and presenting this information we have tried to indicate whether a stallion is available by fresh or frozen semen, and also which countries frozen semen is available for export to. In some cases stallions were away at collection centres at the time the data was collated, and we have indicated that interested mare owners should make contact with the stallion owner. Contact details can be found in current society publications or on the CBHS website www.clevelandbay.com/stallions.htm or for North American Stallions the CBHSNA website www.clevelandbay.org MEAN KINSHIP OF PROGENY The use of datasheets in 2004 has highlighted the subtle difference between Mean Kinship of parents and Kinship Coefficient of progeny. Until new animals are registered and entered onto the system we can not calculate their Mean kinship or Kinship Band. This highlights the importance of prompt registration of purebred foals. Owners are advised to follow the above guidelines in making breeding choices, as they continue to be the most robust and scientifically validated method of ensuring the genetic wellbeing of the Cleveland Bay breed. ANOMALIES If when studying the datasheets for your mares you recognize information that is not or might not be correct, please let the society know. In 2004 a small number of cases came to light which revealed inconsistencies in the SPARKS data, which have since been corrected. The programme can only be as good as the data it contains, so please let us know if, for example, mares with identical breeding do not have identical datasheets. INCENTIVE SCHEMES In 2005 the CBHS will run 2 SPARKS related incentive schemes: A foal premium of £50 payable on registration of a pure-bred foal with parents from the same or adjacent Mean Kinship bands and with the foal having a lower Kinship Coefficient than the Mean Kinship of the Mare. (NB As UK Charity Commission regulations prohibit use of CBHS funds abroad, overseas owners of foals meeting these criteria will be entitled to free registration with CBHS.)   A preferred matings scheme, with a £200 premium for owners of the lowest mean kinship mares (i.e highest priority breeders) using preferred stallions, selected by the SPARKS working group for genetic compatibility with specific mares. Mare owners in this second group will be contacted directly by the CBHS. These incentive schemes will be piloted in 2005 alongside the existing premium schemes. Funding of these SPARKS premiums has only been possible through generous sponsorship from Matchmakers International Ltd owners of Harry Hall, Caldene, Masta and Cottage Craft. Andy Dell. CBHS SPARKS Working Group Endmoor. February 2005 Email andy.dell@btinternet.com