>>>> Hopefully, we can shed some light on the subject and breed out any sign of cryptorchism.
I think that might be an ideal goal, but I wonder if it's something we should do. We don't have a huge gene pool to work with as it is, and if it's as widespread (in one shape or form) then I think we'd have to rule out a lot of good horses in order to eliminate it totally. BUT, I'm guessing - only guessing. We've never had a lot of straight talk on the subject before, so we really don't know how widespread it is. I SUSPECT - and again, I don't KNOW - that most cases in the breed are "temporary inguinal cryptorchidism" - but if we don't talk frankly about the issue, no one will ever know. Of the various types of cryptorchidism, temporary inguinal seems to be one of the easiest to deal with - but it still may mean waiting until a colt is two or three before he can be gelded, and the surgery may still be more expensive. (It WILL be more expensive if done before that age.) Now, another direct and specific question: does anyone know of any Icelandic colts who've had permanent cryptorchidism - meaning the testicles weren't descended by age three? Considering the high percentage of colts in Iceland that are slaughtered for meat before their first birthdays, I don't expect to get meaningful statistics from Iceland. One more question: does anyone know of an Icelandic colt who's had abdominal cryptorchidism? Permanent abdominal cryptorchidism...meaning the testicles remained in the abdomen until after he was three? Without knowing how common this is, and to what degree, I don't think we know how feasible it will be to breed the condition out totally....but the more direct we are on the topic, the better we can gauge that ideal. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.2/781 - Release Date: 4/30/2007 9:14 AM
