580: Patella Luxation in Dogs: A Molecular Approach

Project Summary

Patella luxation (PL) occurs in both small and large breed dogs. Among the large breed dogs, the Flat-Coated Retriever seems to be predisposed to the condition. A survey in 354 Flat-Coated Retrievers revealed that 40 percent were affected with some degree of PL. Males and females were equally affected. A positive correlation was found between the occurrence of PL in the parent(s) and that in the offspring. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was suggested. The Flat-Coated Retriever has an annual birth rate of 700 pups in the Netherlands; 75 percent of the owners are members of the Dutch Flat-Coated Retriever Club (FRC). Since 1985 more than 3100 Flat-Coated Retrievers have been clinically investigated by the same specialist and findings are available in a database. At least 20 of the recently included litters had several littermates positive for PL. The genetic research proposed in this project was to perform affected sibling pair analysis. This method compares pair-wise the DNA of littermates with PL and eventually highlights gene variants which are shared by most or all affected dogs. 150 Flatcoated Retriever DNA samples on known patella phenotype along with 95 Pomeranian DNA samples. Candidate gene investigation was performed on Pomeranian and Flatcoated Retrievers but did not reveal a likely linkage using the technology available at the time. There is hope that with improved technology with more dense SNP markers, the genetic association for PI will be identified.

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