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A DNA test for L2-HGA in Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
What is L2-HGA?
DNA test for L2-HGA
The researchers of the genetics team at the Animal HealthTrust (UK) have
identified the specific mutation that causes the L2-HGA problem in
Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The Trust's research group developed a
DNA test for the disease. The disorder shows an autosomal recessive mode of
inheritance: two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent)
have to be present for a dog to be affected by the disease. Individuals with
one copy of the defective gene and one copy of the normal gene
- called carriers - show no symptoms but can pass the defective gene onto
their offspring. When two apparently healthy carriers are crossed, 25%
(on average) of the offspring will be affected by the disease, 25% will be
clear and the remaining 50% will themselves be carriers. Those carriers could
not be detected by the tests previously available that involved either a blood
or urine test detecting elevated levels of L2-hydroxyglutarate or magnetic
resonance imaging.
It now is possible to identify at a young age and without doubt, all dogs
that are capable of passing on the disease. The DNA test for the L2-HGA
yields three possible outcomes:
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Your dog is "clear", it has two healthy alleles, it will not develop
L2-HGA and, just as important, it won't pass on the defect to the next
generation.
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Your dog is a carrier, it has one "healthy" allele and one defective one,
it will not develop L2-HGA and, very important, it will pass on the
defect to half of its offspring.
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Your dog is affected and has two defective alleles, it will develop L2-HGA
later in life and it will pass on the defective allele to its entire offspring
in the next generation.
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Applying this DNA test allows breeders to classify their potential breeding
animals at a young age as "affected", "carrier" or "genetically healthy" in
order to select effectively against the genetic disorder.
Breeds at risk
Breeding policy
Testing for L2-HGA
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