Congenital Ichthyosis in 14 Great Dane Puppies With a New Presentation.

The present study describes a generalized congenital skin condition in 14 Great Dane puppies. Macroscopically, all dogs showed generalized gray to yellow scaling and skin wrinkles on the head and all 4 extremities. Skin sections were histologically examined using hematoxylin and eosin, Heidenhain's Azan, and Sudan red III staining methods and by conducting the alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff (AB/PAS) reaction technique on sections. Furthermore, incubation with hyaluronidase was performed. Skin samples were ultrastructurally analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. All affected Great Dane puppies had epidermal and follicular orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, enlarged keratohyaline granules, vacuolated keratinocytes, and accumulations of an eosinophilic and alcianophilic, lipid-rich material within dilated hair follicular lumina and the cytoplasm of sebocytes. The macroscopic, histopathologic, and ultrastructural skin changes in all 14 Great Dane puppies indicate a new variant of a primary disorder of cornification with congenital, non-epidermolytic, lamellar ichthyosiform appearance.

A role of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in congenital sensorineural deafness and eye pigmentation in Dalmatian dogs.

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is involved in white spotting and deafness associated with lack of pigmentation in human and mice. In the present study, we employed MITF-associated markers to evaluate MITF as a candidate for canine congenital sensorineural deafness (CCSD) in Dalmatian dogs. We performed an association study using MITF flanking and intragenic markers for 88 Dalmatian dogs of different hearing and eye pigmentation status. A significant association was identified for MITF-related markers with CCSD and blue iris colour. We conclude that MITF might play a role in CCSD and blue eye colour in Dalmatian dogs.

Genes on bovine chromosome 18 associated with bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmos in German Brown cattle.

PURPOSE: Bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmos (BCSE) is a widespread inherited eye defect in several cattle populations. Its progressive condition often leads to blindness in affected cattle and shortens their length of productive life. Furthermore, breeding with BCSE-affected animals is forbidden by the German animal welfare laws. We performed a mutation and association analysis for three candidate genes (troponin T type 1 [TNNT1], retinol dehydrogenase 13 [RDH13], and TCF3 fusion partner [TFPT]), which are located within the previously identified BCSE-linked region on the telomeric end of bovine chromosome 18 (BTA18). In addition, we developed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these three candidate genes and nine other genes that are contained in this genomic BCSE-region to perform association analyses with BCSE in German Brown cattle. METHODS: We performed cDNA analyses of all three candidate genes using eye tissues of three affected German Brown cows and three unaffected controls. Furthermore, we screened the exonic and the adjacent genomic sequences of RDH13, TNNT1, and TFPT using four BCSE-affected and four controls of German Brown cattle. Here, we included all exons of RDH13 and those exons of TNNT1 and TFPT for which SNPs were detected by cDNA analyses. In addition, we developed 21 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products for 17 more genes in the BCSE region and searched them for polymorphisms. All markers detected were genotyped in 48 BCSE-affected German Brown cows and 48 breed and sex matched controls and tested for association with BCSE. RESULTS: In total, we detected 29 SNPs in 12 genes. In the coding sequence of the three candidate genes, we identified 10 exonic SNPs and a new splice variant of TNNT1. Four SNPs were associated with the BCSE phenotype in single marker-trait analyses. These SNPs were located within DHDH (dihydrodiol dehydrogenase dimeric), CPT1C (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C), TNNT1, and NALP7. The marker-trait association for haplotypes including five SNPs of CPT1C, SYT5 (synaptotagmin V), RDH13, and NALP7 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 7) revealed a significant association with BCSE. We identified three individual haplotypes that were significantly associated with BCSE. These haplotypes spanned the region from 56.05 Mb to 62.87 Mb on BTA18. CONCLUSIONS: The haplotype association analysis corroborated the results of the linkage study that the telomeric end of BTA18 harbors a gene responsible for BCSE and further refines the BCSE region to a 6.82 Mb interval ranging from 56.05 Mb to 62.87 Mb on BTA18.

Linkage of bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) to BTA5 and BTA18 in German Brown cattle.

Bilateral convergent strabismus with exophthalmus (BCSE) is a widespread inherited eye defect in several cattle populations. Its progressive condition often leads to blindness in affected cattle and decreases their usability. Furthermore, the German animal welfare laws prevent breeding with animals whose progeny are expected to be affected by genetic defects. Identifying genes involved in the heredity of BCSE should lead to insights into the molecular pathogenesis of this eye disease and permit the establishment of a genetic test for this disease. A whole-genome scan for 10 families containing a total of 159 genotyped individuals identified two BCSE loci. One BCSE locus mapped to the centromeric region on bovine chromosome (BTA) 5 and the other BCSE locus mapped to the telomeric region of BTA18. Thus, it is possible that two genes are involved in the development of BCSE. Alternatively, one of these loci could be the cause for the development of BCSE and the other locus could affect the progression and severity of the defect.

Analysis of the canine mdr1-1Delta mutation in the dog breed Elo.

A deletion mutation in the canine multidrug resistance gene, MDR1, is associated with drug sensitivity. This was shown for several purebred dog breeds from the Collie lineage such as the Collie (rough-coated and smooth-coated), the Australian Shepherd and the Old English sheepdog. To determine whether the mdr1-1Delta mutation could be found in the newly bred German dog breed Elo which is based amongst other breeds on Old English sheepdogs, 177 blood samples representative for the Elo breed were collected. After DNA extraction, a polymerase chain reaction-based method with subsequent polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used for detection of the mdr1-1Delta mutation. The mdr1-1Delta allele was not observed in the Elos investigated. The probability that the mdr1-1Delta allele originated in the Old English sheepdog breed is segregating in the Elo population was estimated at 3.68 x 10(-17).

Evaluation of canine heat-shock transcription factor 4 as a candidate for primary cataracts in English Cocker Spaniels and wire-haired Kromfohrlanders.

Canine heat-shock transcription factor 4 (HSF4) was evaluated as a candidate for primary cataracts in English Cocker Spaniels (ECS) and wire-haired Kromfohrlanders (KFL). We sequenced exon 9 and its flanking regions of the HSF4 gene in ECS and KFL but were not able to detect a previously reported insertion mutation associated with primary cataracts in Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Boston Terriers. Another single nucleotide polymorphism (LOC489766:g.3243A>G) in intron 9 was identified and included in linkage and association tests together with two flanking microsatellites. Linkage and association tests with primary cataracts in ECS and KFL were not significant. Therefore, we could not verify that the mutation in exon 9 of canine HSF4 gene is causative for primary cataracts in ECS and wire-haired KFL.

[Familial occurrence of a congenital defect of the keratinisation of the skin in German Angus calves]. / Familiäres Auftreten einer angeborenen Verhornungsstörung der Haut bei zwei Kälbern der Rasse Deutsche Angus.

Congenital dysfunction of the keratinisation of the epithelium was diagnosed in two female German Angus calves born on the same farm. The relationship coefficient between the two affected Angus calves was 34.38%. The clinical findings were similar to ichthyosis congenita as the alterations of the skin were present at birth and the levels of zinc in the blood were not decreased. However, parakeratosis could not be completely excluded as skin alterations were partly parakeratotic. On account of the close relationship between the two affected calves a genetic cause is likely for the present cases.

The bovine aristaless-like homeobox 4 (ALX4) as a candidate gene for syndactyly.

The ALX4 (aristaless-like homeobox 4) gene encodes a paired-type homeodomain transcriptional activator and plays a major role in anterior-posterior pattern formation during limb development. Here, the cloning, genomic structure and expression of the bovine ortholog of the ALX4 gene are reported. The bovine ALX4 gene consists of four exons and is located on BTA15q28-->q29 in a region syntenic to HSA11p11.2. The transcribed ALX4 mRNA encodes a 397-amino-acid protein showing a paired-type homeodomain and a C-terminal stretch of amino acids known as the OAR- or aristaless domain. The predicted protein shares 92.5% identity to human and mouse ALX4 proteins and all three species share almost complete identity in the conserved domains. ALX4 expression was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in bovine fetal limb bones. The ALX4 gene was evaluated as a candidate gene for bovine syndactyly which has been mapped on the telomeric region of cattle chromosome 15. Sequencing of the four exons with flanking sequences of the bovine ALX4 gene from a panel of 14 affected animals belonging to German Holstein, German Fleckvieh and crossbreds, and 27 unaffected individuals from German Holstein revealed five silent SNPs within the coding region out of eleven SNPs in total. Four SNPs were polymorphic in the affected animals, but in comparison to the genotyped unaffected individuals the genotype distribution showed no evidence for an association to the phenotype. Therefore our data indicate that the ALX4 gene can probably be excluded as candidate gene for bovine syndactyly in the examined animals.

[Case report: congenital myoclonus in a German Holstein calf]. / Fallbericht. Kongenitale Myoklonie bei einem Kalb der Rasse Deutsche Holsteins.

A female German Holstein calf was not able to stand up after birth. Resting the animal was lying in normal position and could lift its head. Sensory stimuli like auditory or tactile impulses induced myoclonic jerking of the whole body. Afterwards it calmed down quickly. The signs observed correspond to the clinical findings of congenital myoclonus in poll Hereford calves. The pathological examination revealed no indications for changes in organs. The inbreeding coefficient of the calf was 1.56 %. The present type of congenital myoclonus in the calf examined is likely to be genetically determined, even if the point mutation in exon 2 of the glycin receptor alpha 1 gene was not confirmed.

Characterization of candidate genes for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in dog.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a heterogenous group of monogenic autosomal recessive inherited progressive neurodegenerative diseases characterized by brain and retinal atrophy and the intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent lysosomal storage bodies resembling lipofuscin in neurons and other cells. Until today, eight forms of NCL have been classified in humans by clinical criteria, which result from mutations in at least six different genes (TPP1, CLN2, PPT1, CLN5, CLN6, and CLN8). NCL has also been reported in various domestic animal species including cattle, goat, sheep, cat, and certain dog breeds. In this report, the experimental analysis of canine PPT1, CLN5, CLN6, and CLN8 full-length cDNA sequences is described, and the current whole genome sequence assembly was used for gene structure analyses. Characterization of the four canine genes revealed a conserved organization with respect to the human orthologs. In general the gene size in dog is smaller compared to the human sequence due to shorter intron length. Using four individuals of Tibetan terrier with NCL, and a single affected Polish Owczarek Nizinny (PON) dog, we excluded the complete coding region of canine PPT1 and CLN8 and three of four exons of CLN5 and six of seven exons of CLN6 harboring disease-causing mutations.

A high-resolution comparative RH map of the proximal part of bovine chromosome 1.

Current comparative maps between human chromosome 21 and the proximal part of cattle chromosome 1 are insufficient to define chromosomal rearrangements because of the low density of mapped genes in the bovine genome. The recently completed sequence of human chromosome 21 facilitates the detailed comparative analysis of corresponding segments on BTA1. In this study eight bovine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones containing bovine orthologues of human chromosome 21 genes, i.e. GRIK1, CLDN8, TIAM1, HUNK, SYNJ1, OLIG2, IL10RB, and KCNE2 were physically assigned by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to BTA1q12.1-q12.2. Sequence tagged site (STS) markers derived from these clones were mapped on the 3000 rad Roslin/Cambridge bovine radiation hybrid (RH) panel. In addition to these eight novel markers, 17 known markers from previously published BTA1 linkage or RH maps were also mapped on the Roslin/Cambridge bovine RH panel resulting in an integrated map with 25 markers of 355.4 cR(3000) length. The human-cattle genome comparison revealed the existence of three chromosomal breakpoints and two probable inversions in this region.