LABOKLIN (UK)|Genetic Diseases | Dogs| Dwarfism (Pituitary Dwarfism / Hypopituitarism)

Dwarfism (Pituitary Dwarfism / Hypopituitarism)

Breeds

German Shepherd , Saarloos Wolfdog .

The Disease

Inherited Dwarfism is a condition in which the production of the Growth Hormone (GH) is inadequate. Growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and has many effects on the body including control of growth rate, maintenance of hair coat, and bone and teeth development. Affected dogs appear normal at birth, but show evidence of failure to grow by two to three months of age. Symptoms include small stature compared to littermates, retention of puppy coat, hair loss, darkening of the skin, delayed eruption or absence of permanent teeth, a shrill bark, Small testicles and sometimes infertility in the male, Absence of heat and sometimes infertility in the female.

Clinical Signs

Affected dogs appear normal at birth, but show evidence of failure to grow by two to three months of age. Symptoms include small stature compared to littermates, retention of puppy coat, hair loss, darkening of the skin, delayed eruption or absence of permanent teeth, a shrill bark, Small testicles and sometimes infertility in the male, Absence of heat and sometimes infertility in the female.

Trait of Inheritance

Dwarfism follows an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

Inheritance : AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE trait

Sire
Dam Offspring

Clear
x
Clear
>
100% Clear

clear
x
carrier
>
50% Clear + 50% carriers

clear
x
affected
>
100% carriers

carrier
x
Clear
>
50% Clear + 50% carriers

carrier
x
carrier
>
25% clear + 25% affected + 50% carriers

carrier
x
affected
>
50% carriers + 50% affected

affected
x
Clear
>
100% carriers

affected
x
carrier
>
50% carriers + 50% affected

affected
x
affected
>
100% affected

Clear

Genotype: N / N [ Homozygous normal ]

The dog is noncarrier of the mutant gene.
The dog will never develop Dwarfism (Pituitary Dwarfism / Hypopituitarism) and therefore it can be bred to any other dog.

Carrier

Genotype: N / DWARFISM [ Heterozygous ]

The dog carries one copy of the mutant gene and one copy of the normal gene.
The dog will never develop Dwarfism (Pituitary Dwarfism / Hypopituitarism) but since it carries the mutant gene, it can pass it on to its offspring with the probability of 50%.
Carriers should only be bred to clear dogs.
Avoid breeding carrier to carrier because 25% of their offspring is expected to be affected (see table above)

Affected

Genotype: DWARFISM / DWARFISM [ Homozygous mutant ]

The dog carries two copies of the mutant gene and therefore it will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring.
The dog will develop Dwarfism (Pituitary Dwarfism / Hypopituitarism) and will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring

Description

By DNA testing, the responsible mutation can be shown directly. This method provides a test with a very high accuracy. It offers the possibility to distinguish not only between affected and clear dogs, but also to identify clinically healthy carriers. This is an essential information for controlling the condition in the breed, as carriers are able to spread the disease in the population.

Sample Requirements

0.5 to 1 ml blood in EDTA tube or Buccal Swabs

Turnaround

within 5 weeks

test will be performed at a partner laboratory

Price

£ 140.00 (including VAT)

LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG

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