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Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Mastiffs DNA Tested Clear of PRA

 

MCOA PRA Committee DNA Testing Recommendation

It is the recommendation of the MCOA PRA Committee that prior to breeding both the sire and dam be proven free of the dominant Mastiff PRA gene mutation either by DNA test or having both parents proven free of the gene.

For example, a Mastiff is proven clear of the PRA gene if:

• both parents are DNA tested clear
• or, both of the sire's parents are DNA tested clear and the dam is DNA tested clear
• or, both of the dam's parents are DNA tested clear and the sire is DNA tested clear
• or, all four grandparents are DNA tested clear
• or, ...

MCOA PRA DNA Test Clinics

Would your club be interested in holding a Mastiff PRA DNA Testing Clinic? OptiGen is offering a 20% group discount when 20 or more samples are submitted for testing at one time. If you want to put on a clinic please print and read the Checklist for PRA DNA Testing Clinics. For the latest on current OptiGen discounts please go their website by clicking on the link above.

Mastiffs Providing Model for Human Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)

The June 2002 issue of DVM News Magazine (www.dvmnewsmagazine.com) has an article titled "ENGLISH MASTIFF A MODEL FOR HUMAN EYE DISEASE" It states that the Mastiff breed is enabling scientists to help explain retinitis pigmentosa in humans. It is a joint study by Cornell Baker Instititute for Animal Health and The University of PA Scheie Eye Institute and was reported in the April 30 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Mastiff PRA DNA Test Now Available 6/2/01

OptiGen has informed the MCOA PRA Research Committee that the Mastiff PRA DNA test is all set up and ready to go. OptiGen can start testing immediately. OptiGen has begun adding information on this on its website (www.optigen.com), although as of late last night there was only a little bit of information on there. However, OptiGen says it will finish adding all of the Mastiff test information Monday.

The price of the test is $120 (as of 3/1/2004). The MCOA PRA Committee is no longer subsidizing the cost (we offered a $20 rebate for the first 250 requests). OptiGen provides an automatic 5% discount if you request a test online prior to having your vet draw and send in blood (Please be sure to print out OptiGen's instructions and form for your veterinarian). In addition, when there are opportunities for Mastiff owners to send 20 or more samples at one time (such as from a testing clinic a regional Mastiff club could set up at a show ... or a testing clinic at the Specialty), OptiGen will offer a group discount of 20%.

The Rest of the Story

• Transcript of Dr. Acland's Seminar
• Mastiff PRA Gene Found!
• Second Meagle Diagnosed With PRA
• Significant Development in Mode of Inheritance Study
  Murphy, one of the "Meagles", has been diagnosed with PRA. Click on the link above to read more. Also read Thoughts on Murphy by Jane Walsh.

General

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of inherited progressive degenerative eye diseases affecting the retina which ultimately result in blindness. Typically the first symptom of PRA is night blindness followed by increased reflectivity of the fundus or a "green sheen" to the eyes when viewed in dim light.

There are several recognized forms of PRA some of which now have DNA gene or marker tests. Mastiffs now have a DNA gene test. These tests enable breeders to send in a blood sample and determine whether or not a dog has PRA, is a carrier of PRA, or is clear (has none of the genes for PRA) before the dog is old enough to develop symptoms. This also allows breeders to plan breedings that they can guarantee will not produce any pups that will be affected by PRA.

Eye Exams - Breeding

It is the opinion of the PRA Committee that all Mastiffs should have their eyes examined by a veterinary opthamologist within the 12 months prior to being bred - this should be done every year since PRA and some other eye conditions can show up later in life. Mastiffs with PRA should not be bred. For a list of veterinary opthamologists go to the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) web site. CERF's phone number is (765) 494-8179. PRA has been found during Mastiff eye exams as early as four months and there are Mastiffs that have CERFed as normal at three years and been found to have PRA before they turned four years old.

PRA Study

The MCOA PRA Committee, with Dr. Alcand, undertook a breeding study to help determine the mode of inheritance of PRA in Mastiffs. The Study was based on a proposal written by Dr. Acland for the MCOA and peer reviewed by well known and respected PhDs in the field of DNA research.

In simple terms the Study involved breeding a PRA affected Mastiff to a Beagle mix from Dr. Acland's kennel that was known not to carry any PRA genes. The pups from this litter were placed in good homes with owners who made a commitment to the research and were willing to have Electroretinagrams (ERGs) done every six months until the pups were two years old. If any of the pups developed PRA then PRA in Mastiffs would be proven to be dominant - which is the case two Meagles out of six developed PRA.

Exciting news! Ch. Lamar's Nut'n But Trouble was bred October 16, 1999! Many thanks to Trouble's owner and breeder for their generous and unstinting support of the PRA Study. To the left is a picture of Trouble. To the right, a picture of the sire of the litter - beagle mix from the Retinal Disease Study Facility known to be free of the gene for PRA.