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DNA tests for Cystinuria in dogs.
What is Cystinuria?
A DNA test for Cystinuria
In literature Cystinuria has been reported in more than sixty dog breeds. Unfortunately
there are many different genetic forms of Cystinuria.
One genetic form of Cystinuria
inherited as an autosomal recessive trait was detected in the Newfoundland dog and
the Landseer. Affected animals of those breeds have two mutant genes, one inherited
from each parent. Carriers have only one mutant gene and do not show clinical signs.
The University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, discovered the molecular
defect causing the disorder and developed DNA tests to detect affected animals and carriers.
The research group is seeking to determine the molecular defect in other breeds as well.
Applying the DNA test allows breeders to classify their potential breeding animals at a
young age as genetically healthy ("clear"), "carrier" or "affected" in order to select
effectively against the genetic disorder. At this moment however, the possibility can't
be ruled out that there is more than one genetic form of Cystinuria present in the
populations of the Newfoundland and the Landseer.
The Cystinuria DNA test yields three possible outcomes:
-
Your dog is clear (and has two healthy alleles: Cyst/Cyst), it will
not suffer from urinary blockage and, just as important, it will not pass on the defect
(the defective allele) to the next generation.
Your dog is a carrier (and has one healthy allele and one defective one: Cyst/cyst),
it will not suffer from Cystinuria but it will pass on the defective allele to half
of its offspring.
-
Your dog is affected (and has two defective alleles: cyst/cyst),
it will pass on the defective allele to all of its offspring in the next generation
and it will be expected to experience the disadvantages of urinary stones. So it is
one of the animals that will suffer from Cystinuria.
Breeds at risk
Breeding policy
Testing for Cystinuria
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