Interpretation of Results

For most genetic tests there are three possible results:

N/N Clear (Normal) – The animal has two copies of the normal or “wild type” DNA sequence for the gene being tested and is said to be “homozygous normal”. The animal is not at risk of developing the genetic disease being tested for. If the animal is used for reproduction, it will transmit normal DNA sequences to 100% of its descendants.

N/M Carrier – The animal has one copy of the normal or “wild type” DNA sequence and one copy of the mutated DNA sequence for the gene being tested, and is said to be “heterozygous”.
For genetic diseases that are recessive, the animal will not be at risk of developing the genetic disease being tested for.
For genetic diseases that are dominant, with only one copy of the mutated gene, the animal will be at risk of developing the genetic disease being tested for.
If the animal is used for reproduction, it will transmit normal DNA sequences to 50% (on average) of its descendants and it will transmit mutated DNA sequences to 50% (on average) of its descendants.

M/M At risk – The animal has two copies of the mutated DNA sequence for the gene being tested and is said to be “homozygous mutated”. The animal is at risk of developing the genetic disease being tested for. If the animal is used for reproduction, it will transmit the mutated DNA sequences to 100% of its descendants.

For a more a more in-depth discussion on genetic diseases go to:
Dog Genetics 1.0: The Basics
Dog Genetics 3.0: Simple Genetic Diseases
Cat Genetics 1.0: The Basics
Cat Genetics 3.0: Simple Genetic Diseases