01937-B: Evaluating the Complex Genetic Basis of Bloat
Grant Status: Open
Grant Amount: $251,097
Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, Tufts University
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2016
Sponsor(s): Afghan Hound Club of America, Inc. , Akita Club of America, Inc. , American Black & Tan Coonhound Club , American Bloodhound Club , American Chesapeake Club, Inc. , American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Inc. , Basset Hound Club of America, Inc. , Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America , Borzoi Club of America , Briard Club of America Health & Education Trust , Collie Health Foundation , Delaware County Kennel Club , Doberman Pinscher Club of America , English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association , English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association Foundation , Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation , Forsyth Kennel Club , German Shepherd Dog Club of America , German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America , Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc. , Great Pyrenees Club of America , Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America, Inc. , Greyhound Club of America , Irish Setter Club of America Foundation , Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Inc. , Kuvasz Club of America , Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust , Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , Poodle Club of America Foundation , Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States , Scottish Deerhound Club of America , St. Bernard Club of America , TarTan Gordon Setter Club , Versatility in Poodles, Inc. , Weimaraner Club of America ,
Breed(s): German Shepherd Dog
Research Program Area: Gastrointestinal Disease
Abstract
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), or bloat, is a common condition in large and giant breed dogs with an unacceptably high morbidity and mortality rate. Due to the importance of GDV in many dog breeds, several previous studies have investigated potential risk factors for the development of GDV. It is known that there is no single cause for GDV, rather its occurrence is multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing. Dr. Sharp proposes to further investigate how these risk factors cause GDV through the application of genomic and molecular methods. She will do this by analyzing samples from purebred dogs with GDV and comparing them to dogs of similar age and breed that have not developed GDV. She will perform a genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify differences in the genetic makeup of dogs with GDV, and see which genes are turned on and off in GDV (epigenomics). She will also determine if dogs with GDV have different types or amounts of proteins, hormones and other molecules in their blood and tissues (transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics). She and collaborators hypothesize that only when we put all of this information together (genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic) will we truly understand what causes GDV. The ultimate aim of understanding what causes GDV is to allow us to best intervene to prevent the disease from occurring.Publication(s)
None at this time.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
