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MCOA PRA Research Campaign Update 4/24/01 Second Meagle Diagnosed With PRA

By Kimberley Wall, MCOA PRA Research Committee

The MCOA PRA Research Study is one step closer to determining the mode of inheritance of progressive retinal atrophy in Mastiffs. A second Meagle has been diagnosed with PRA.

On March 16th, a Southern California ophthalmologist discovered the genetic disorder in the Meagle Sabrina during a routine CERF examination. Sabrinas owner, MCOA PRA Research Committee Chair Carla Sanchez, quickly made arrangements for Sabrinas cross-country journey to the Retinal Disease Studies Facility in Kennett Square, PA, where she would undergo more extensive testing.

Sabrina was flown to Pennsylvania on April 12th. Dr. Gregory Acland of RDSF conducted an ophthalmoscopic exam on Sabrina the following morning and determined that Sabrina does have PRA. Dr. Acland then did an electroretinogram the week of April 15th to confirm the diagnosis. And not only does Sabrina have PRA, but Dr. Acland said that Sabrinas retinal atrophy was more advanced than that of Murphy, the first Meagle to be diagnosed with the disorder. Dr. Acland diagnosed Murphy on March 15th.

As reported previously, the Meagles came from a breeding between a PRA-affected Mastiff bitch (CH Lamars Nutn But Trouble, owned by Carrie Del Bonta and co-owned by breeder Margo Lauritsen) and a PRA-free Beagle mix (known as "H302") from the research colony at the RDSF. The purpose of this breeding was to determine whether PRA in Mastiffs is the result of a dominant gene, rather than a recessive gene. Researchers suggested that breeding a PRA-affected Mastiff to a dog known to be free of PRA was the optimum way to test the dominant gene theory. If PRA developed in even one of the so-called "Meagles," then this would provide evidence that PRA in the Mastiff is apparently dominant.

Having not just one, but two Meagles develop PRA creates even greater confidence that the research is headed in the right direction. However at this time it is still better to exercise caution and not jump to any conclusions as to how this dominant gene operates.

As for the other four Meagles, PRA has not been detected in them at present. In fact, the Meagles Stan and Ollie were just re-examined on March 25th and no PRA was found.

Dr. Acland will be discussing the PRA mode of inheritance study in detail at his seminar on Wednesday, May 9th at 7 p.m. during the MCOA Specialty. If you will be attending the Specialty, please do try to make the PRA Research seminar. For those not attending, this seminar will be audiotaped and transcribed, with the transcription posted on the MCOA website and in the MCOA Journal.

Dr. Acland will also be at the Specialty CERF clinic. The clinic will be earlier that same day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dr. Acland will be examining dogs on a first-come / first-serve basis. The fee will be $20 per dog at the door, payable by cash, check or Master Card/VISA. Eye exam fees will be donated to PRA research. It is very important that you do not stop CERFing your dogs. Knowledge of whether or not your dogs have PRA (or any other genetic eye problem) is one of our first weapons in breeding healthy animals, and one of our best ways to find out more about what causes the problems that they might have.

And dont forget that the MCOA PRA Walk will be Friday, May 11th at 8 p.m.!

As always, we will report further research developments as we get them.