In the Veterinary Journal. Link:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.10.022
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.10.022
Heritability of syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles spaniels
Tom Lewisa , Clare Rusbridgeb, Penny Knowlerb, Sarah Blotta and John A. Woolliamsc
aAnimal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, UK
bStone Lion Veterinary Hospital, Wimbledon, London SW19 5AW, UK
cRoslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK
Accepted 20 October 2009. Available online 13 November 2009.
Abstract
Mixed model analysis of 384 Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS), with a magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis for the presence or absence of a syrinx, in conjunction with the Kennel Club pedigree records of all dogs registered from the mid 1980s to September 2007, revealed a moderately high estimate of heritability of syringomyelia (h2 = 0.37 ± 0.15 standard error) when analysed as a binary trait. Inspection of cases where the disease segregated within families pointed to genes at more than one locus influencing syringomyelia. The availability of estimated breeding values for Kennel Club registered CKCS is a significant step in being able to select against syringomyelia, particularly given the difficulty of ascertaining the disease phenotype.