2272: Localization of the Gene for Sebaceous Adenitis in the Akita Dog by Homology Mapping

Grant Amount: $64,168

Kelly Credille, DVM, PhD; Texas A&M University

September 5, 2001 - March 31, 2004

Sponsor(s): Akita Club of America, Inc.

Breed(s): Akita

Research Program Area: Dermatology and Allergic Disease

Abstract

Whenever I discuss with lay audiences the devastating effect genetic diseases can have on purebred dogs, I describe sebaceous adenitis (SA). A disease common in breeds like the Akita and Standard Poodle, severely affected dogs are largely hairless, covered in scale and smell terribly. There is no cure. Because the disease seldom shows itself until sexual maturity and because some affected dogs may never develop overt clinical signs, breeders cannot determine which dogs to breed. For these reasons, SA is a disease in need of a genetic test. However, designing such a test is challenging. Because of the difficulty distinguishing SA-affected from normal dogs, pedigree-dependent tests cannot be recommended. To accomplish the objectives of this study, we have devised an alternative protocol to associate a marker with SA. We have chosen the Akita breed to study because its history of bottlenecks and isolation make it ideal for this type of investigation. We believe this protocol will not only be successful but will result in a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to more widely used methods in canine genetics research and will improve our ability to define those diseases in which distinguishing affected dogs can be ambiguous.

Publication(s)

None at this time.