DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Announces Genetic Test for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy [Thursday, May 8, 2008] Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is an adult-onset, progressive spinal cord disease causing weakness in the hind limbs and eventually paraplegia. Dog owners usually elect euthanasia within a year of diagnosis; however, when euthanasia is delayed flaccid paralysis and widespread loss of muscle mass occur. Because common acquired compressive spinal cord diseases can mimic DM, a definitive diagnosis currently can only be accomplished postmortem by histopathologic observation of the spinal cord. Drs. Gary Johnson and Joan Coates at the Animal Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the University of Missouri and Drs. Claire Wade and Kerstin Lindblad-Toh at the Broad Institute of MIT/Harvard and their colleagues have identified a DNA mutation that is a major risk factor for development of degenerative myelopathy in dogs. The research project was funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, American Boxer Charitable Foundation, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, French Bulldog Club of America, and French Bulldog Rescue League. A DNA test will soon be available for breeders and pet owners, along with information about what the test can and cannot tell them. The test clearly identifies dogs that are clear (have 2 normal copies of the gene), those who are carriers (have one normal copy of the gene and one mutated copy of the gene), and those who are at much higher risk for developing DM (have 2 mutated copies of the gene). However, having two mutated copies of the gene does not necessarily result in disease. See http://sdm3.rm04.net/servlet/MailView?m ... MzES1&mt=1 for additional information. This is somewhat similar to the situation with PRA in springers - you can have genetically affected dogs who are phenotypically not afflicted. What surprised me the most - and I see no distinction based on breed - is precisly that: for most genetic diseases, you do not necessarily expect that, for instance, the DNA marker for CA in Gordon Setters will be the same for OES (though that is a good place to start, if you can find the marker in one or the other). As best I can tell, the main benefit for OES owners at this time would be the potential diagnostic value: if DM is suspected, you can run the DNA test and if the dog comes back genetically affected PLUS symptomatic, you likely have your culprit. I suspect they have a ways to go before we fully understand the full potential and all of the implications, but, to me at least, it's always exciting when they have a research break-through of this nature. Kristine |
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| Indeed! Whenever we can get a better understanding of an inherited problem especially with a DNA marker for carrier, then we can isolate the problem, not let it spread through the breed. Problem would be getting breeders to test their animals. I hope this is not a problem in OES and will remain away...... |
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