1419: Inheritance and Molecular Genetic Evaluation in Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers with Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis

Grant Amount: $47,506

Kathryn M Meurs, DVM, PhD; Ohio State University

September 15, 1997 - September 14, 2000

Sponsor(s): Golden Retriever Foundation, Medallion Rottweiler Club, Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust

Breed(s): Newfoundland, Golden Retriever

Research Program Area: Cardiology

Project Summary

Analysis of blood samples and pedigrees of Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers indicates that subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), a thickening of a specific part of the heart wall, is likely inherited as an autosomal dominant pattern with variable penetrance (varying degrees of symptoms and signs). SAS can be hard to study because the hearts of affected dogs can sound normal when listened to with a stethoscope. Researchers in this study used Doppler echocardiography to evaluate 215 Golden Retrievers and 175 Newfoundlands. They found that 72 of the Goldens and 86 of the Newfoundlands were affected with SAS; 56 and 20, respectively, were equivocal (open to interpretation). Researchers observed that the dogs classified as equivocal also produced severely affected offspring. The information and genetic samples obtained for the study are being used to perform genetic linkage studies.

Publication(s)

None at this time.