01190-A: Frequency of the Exercise-Induced Collapse Gene in Diverse Breeds

Grant Amount: $12,960

James R. Mickelson, PhD; University of Minnesota

October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009

Sponsor(s): Border Collie Society of America, Piedmont Border Collie Association

Breed(s): Newfoundland, Curly-Coated Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever

Research Program Area: Neurology

Project Summary

The Labrador Retriever data shows a high frequency of carriers and EIC susceptible dogs exist and a desire on the part of the community to identify these dogs to design matings to decrease the frequency of the T allele and avoid the production of TT EIC susceptible dogs. Over 85% of genetically susceptible Labs over five years of age have shown signs of collapse consistent with EIC at some point in their lives. Many susceptible dogs without signs of collapse yet do not routinely participate in strenuous exercise, but the reason for lack of collapse in all such dogs is not yet known. Many Chesapeake Bay and Curly Coated Retrievers are either carriers or genetically susceptible, but susceptible dogs in these breeds seem to be far less likely to collapse than Labrador Retrievers. It appears that Golden, Flat Coated and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are unlikely to suffer from EIC. The EIC gene is either not found or present in very low frequency in almost all other breeds sampled to date. An unexpected finding was its presence in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. However, no dog in any of the non-Retriever breeds has yet been found to be EIC susceptible. Border Collies with a collapse phenotype were sampled, but their syndrome must be caused by another mechanism. Lastly, the T allele is found in many mixed breed dogs, including some that were homozygous and therefore genetically susceptible to EIC.

Publication(s)