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AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
(ARMD)
An inherited disease of muscle tissue which is becoming
prominent in the Labrador Retrievers due to the presence
of an undetectable carrier gene in some of the most popular
bloodlines.
Henry V. asked me to do a little research on this disease
and some of its possible relationships to some other
genetic diseases in the Labs. The following is the results
of this investigation which primarily consisted of researching
my medical library and a telephone conversation with
Dr. Bruce Smith of Auburn University who is addition
to being a veterinarian is a molecular biologist.
The disease is genetic in nature and is caused by an
inheritance of an autosomal recessive gene from both
the sire and the dam.
I submitted some questions to Dr. Smith from myself
and Henry V, and I will list the questions and answers
as follows:
Q What is the suspected frequency of this disease
(ARMD) in our current Labrador Retriever population.
A A 10% carrier frequency.
Q Is there any evidence that ARMD in Labs is
genetically linked to EIH (Exercise Induced Hyperthermia),
like
Retinal Dysplasia (RD) is linked
to dwarfism.
A No evidence is apparent at this time.
Q Is there any evidence that ARMD or EIH is linked
to RD found in Labs.
A No evidence is apparent at this time.
Q What are the real prospects for having a genetic
test to identify carriers for ARMD?
A Test should be available within 1 yr. and approx.
cost should be $50 to $100/dog.
Q What will be required to test the dogs?
A Possibly a blood sample or could be as simple
as a mucosal swab type test.
Currently Dr. Smith is undergoing research on EIH and
is extremely interested in breeding some pairs with
EIH to get a better understanding of its inheritability.
If anyone is interested with making dogs with EIH available
to Dr. Smith for research I urge you to contact him.
EIH is a devastating disease to trial dogs which a lot
of time, money and effort have gone into by both trainers
and owners because it basically ends the dogs career
and currently due to our poor understanding of its inheritability
these dogs should not be bred. If a better understanding
of its inheritability is obtained by Dr. Smith's research
we may be able to remove this trait from our beloved
Lab's bloodlines as we will soon be able to do with
ARMD.
Dr. J
Good Lukc and Good Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
