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A DNA test for Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL) in dogs
What is GCL?
A DNA test for GCL
GCL is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait that was found in
West Highland White Terriers and in Cairn Terriers. 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.
Breeders should consider screening their breeding stock for the presence of
carriers of GCL.
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.
The GCL DNA test yields three possible outcomes:
-
Your dog is clear (and has two healthy alleles: GCL/GCL),
it will not suffer from GCL 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:
GCL/gcl), it will not suffer from GCL but it will pass on
the defective allele to half of its offspring.
-
Your dog is affected (and has two defective alleles: gcl/gcl), it
will most probably die at young age because of an ongoing storage of lipids in
its cells. So it is one of the animals that will suffer from GCL.
Breeds at risk
Breeding policy
Testing for GCL
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