Scotopic electroretinography in fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

OBJECTIVE: To establish baseline normal scotopic electroretinograpic (ERG) parameters for two wild cat species: fishing cats (FC) and leopard cats (LC). ANIMAL STUDIED: Twelve normal, FC and eight LC kept in the Chiang Mai Night Safari Zoo, Thailand. The mean ages of FC and LC were 7.08 and 5.00 years, respectively. PROCEDURE: All animals were studied using a standard scotopic protocol of a portable, handheld, multi-species electroretinography (HMsERG). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the means of ERG b-wave amplitude of the rod response (Rod, 0.01 cd.s/m2 ), a- and b-wave amplitudes of standard light intensity of rod and cone response (Std R&C, 3 cd.s/m2 ) and b-wave amplitude of high light intensity of rod and cone response (Hi-int R&C, 10 cd.s/m2 ) with LC having higher amplitudes than FC. There was no significant difference in a- and b- wave implicit time except for the b-wave of Hi-int (P=0.03). No significant differences were observed in b/a amplitude ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this report provides reference values for scotopic ERG measurements in these two wild cat species. It showed that the normal scotopic ERG responses have some differences between the two species which might be due to the skull conformation, eye size or physiology of the retina.

The long (and winding) road to gene discovery for canine hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is a common inherited trait of dogs that results in secondary osteoarthritis. In this article the methods used to uncover the mutations contributing to this condition are reviewed, beginning with hip phenotyping. Coarse, genome-wide, microsatellite-based screens of pedigrees of greyhounds and dysplastic Labrador retrievers were used to identify linked quantitative trait loci (QTL). Fine-mapping across two chromosomes (CFA11 and 29) was employed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. Power analyses and preferential selection of dogs for ongoing SNP-based genotyping is described with the aim of refining the QTL intervals to 1-2 megabases on these and several additional chromosomes prior to candidate gene screening. The review considers how a mutation or a genetic marker such as a SNP or haplotype of SNPs might be combined with pedigree and phenotype information to create a 'breeding value' that could improve the accuracy of predicting a dog's hip conformation.

Evaluation of quantitative trait loci for hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) that contribute to hip dysplasia in dogs. ANIMALS: 192 Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURES: Hip dysplasia was measured by use of the Norberg angle (NA), dorsolateral subluxation (DLS) score, and distraction index (DI). Genome-wide screening was conducted by use of 276 unique microsatellites. Linkage analysis was performed with a variance-based linear model. Logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores were reported when values were > 2.0. RESULTS: Canis familiaris autosomes (CFAs) 01, 02, 10, 20, 22, and 32 harbored significant QTL at LOD scores > 2.0. Among the 6 QTL, the QTL on CFA02 had not been reported to harbor QTL for hip dysplasia. The highest LOD score of 3.32 on CFA20 contributed to the second principal component of the DLS score and NA of the right hip joint. The QTL that was mapped on CFA01 (LOD score of 3.13 at 55 centimorgans) was located on the same chromosome reported to harbor a QTL for hip dysplasia in Portuguese Water Dogs and German Shepherd Dogs. In this study, CFAs 10, 20, 22, and 32 harbored QTL for hip dysplasia that have been identified in a Labrador Retriever-Greyhound pedigree and in German Shepherd Dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multiple QTL were clearly involved with hip dysplasia. Identification of these QTL will enable fine-resolution mapping and subsequent assessment of candidate genes within the refined intervals to enable researchers to develop genetic screening tests and preventative and novel therapeutic regimens.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for osteoarthritis of hip joints in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of hip joints of dogs by use of a whole-genome microsatellite scan. ANIMALS: 116 founder, backcross, F1, and F2 dogs from a crossbred pedigree. PROCEDURES: Necropsy scores and an optimized set of 342 microsatellite markers were used for interval mapping by means of a combined backcross and F2 design module from an online statistical program. Breed and sex were included in the model as fixed effects. Age of dog at necropsy and body weight at 8 months of age were also included in the model as covariates. The chromosomal location at which the highest F score was obtained was considered the best estimate of a QTL position. Chromosome-wide significance thresholds were determined empirically from 10,000 permutations of marker genotypes. RESULTS: 4 chromosomes contained putative QTL for OA of hip joints in dogs at the 5% chromosome-wide significance threshold: chromosomes 5, 18, 23, and 31. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Osteoarthritis of canine hip joints is a complex disease to which many genes and environmental factors contribute. Identification of contributing QTL is a strategy to elucidate the genetic mechanisms that underlie this disease. Refinement of the putative QTL and subsequent candidate gene studies are needed to identify the genes involved in the disease process.

Normal clinical electroretinography parameters for poodle, Labrador retriever, Thai ridgeback, and Thai Bangkaew.

The purpose of the present study was to establish normal electroretinogram (ERG) parameters using 56 normal eyes of four dog breeds common in Thailand: poodle, Labrador retriever, Thai ridgeback, and Thai Bangkaew. Standard ERG findings were bilaterally recorded using a handheld multi-species ERG unit with an ERG-jet lens electrode for 28 dogs under preanesthesia with diazepam, anesthesia with propofol, and anesthesia maintenance with isoflurane. There were significant differences in the mean values of ERG amplitudes and implicit times among the four dog breeds (p < 0.05) except for the b-wave implicit time of the photopic 30 Hz flicker response with 3 cd.s/m(2) (p = 0.610). Out of the four breeds, Thai Bangkaew had the longest implicit time (p < 0.001) of scotopic low intensity responses, b-wave of scotopic standard intensity responses (3 cd.s/m(2)), a-wave of the higher intensity response (10 cd.s/m(2)), and a-wave of the photopic single flash response (3 cd.s/m(2)). For the b/a ratio, only the ratio of the Cone response was significantly different among the different breeds. In this summary, normal ERG parameters for four dog breeds were reported. Data from the investigation supported the hypothesis that determination of breed-specific limits of normality for ERG responses is necessary for individual clinics and laboratories.