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A DNA test for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in cats
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
A DNA test for PKD1.
Breeds at risk.
Breeding policy.
Much more important than the treatment of hereditary disorders is the control of these
traits in breeding programs. Thus, in order to reduce the frequency or eliminate
altogether a genetic defect, the further spread of the mutant gene has to be prevented
in a family or entire breed.
When we find an inherited disorder in our population (in our breed), especially when
the frequency of affected animals is quite high, most of us would want to exclude all
animals that carry the defective allele on the shortest term. That's not always the best
thing to do.
An estimated 30 percent or more of Persian cats worldwide are affected with
PKD. Eliminating all these cats from our breeding programs in just one generation would
result in a tremendous reduction of the breed's gene pool and would cause an enormous
increase of the level of inbreeding. As a consequence of that we would get increasing
problems with vitality of the population and probably outbreaks of other genetic disorders.
Each cat with PKD has many good and important genes that may be worthwhile to preserve in
the population. So selection programs should be carried out slowly and carefully, taking a
sufficient number of generations to prevent overselection. That's where the breeders'
organizations should take their responsibility towards their breeds. With the availability
of a DNA test for disorders like PKD1, selection programs can be extended to the number of
generations needed to make sure that no harm is done to the gene pool of the breed.
Testing for PKD1.
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