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MCOA PRA Research Campaign Update 5/12/01
Mastiff PRA Gene Found

By Kimberley Wall, MCOA PRA Research Committee

On May 9, 2001, the Mastiff community learned of what is perhaps one of the most significant advancements in Mastiff health: the discovery of the gene which causes progressive retinal atrophy in our breed. While this is incredible news, we still have some work ahead of us - namely, the development of the test which Mastiff breeders and owners can use to determine whether their Mastiffs carry the dominant PRA gene.

Recently a canine genetic testing company, OptiGen, contacted the MCOA PRA Research Committee. Cornell has given OptiGen the green light to develop the DNA test. The PRA Research Committee is working with OptiGen to get this test arranged. Right now, OptiGen is wanting a rough idea of how many Mastiff breeders and owners would have their dogs blood tested for the PRA gene. WE NEED MASTIFFS FOR PRA TESTING! If there is a lack of interest, we may not get our test!

Conducting the test would require shipping less than a teaspoonful of blood or (if one is available) a 'straw' of frozen semen from your dog to the company, with no test kits to mess with. We will say that OptiGen has estimated the cost of the test to be $125 to $150 per dog. However, it is under consideration that any leftover money in our PRA Research Fund, including the money raised at this years PRA fundraisers, be used to finance initial testing. This way, in the beginning, the cost of PRA DNA testing could be much lower for a time. We are also considering listing the names of dogs who pass this test (along with the names of their owners) on the MCOA website, and perhaps in the MCOA Journal Supplement.

Again, if there is not enough interest in the test from Mastiff breeders and owners, OptiGen will not develop the test. This means that although we have found what causes PRA in Mastiffs after five years of research, fundraising and public awareness, we will not have our ultimate goal: the PRA gene test.

And so it is very important that the PRA Committee hears from EVERYONE on this matter. OptiGen is wanting a reply from the PRA Committee by the end of this month, so there is no time to put the survey in the Bulletin or Journal. If you are interested in having one or more dogs tested for the PRA gene, please complete the poll promptly. If you know of someone who is not "online" but who would be interested in the PRA DNA test, please have that person contact Deb Jones or Carla Sanchez as soon as possible. Dont say "yes" to the survey or give inflated numbers just so we can have a PRA test. We need to give OptiGen an accurate picture of how many of you would use this test. BUT, we certainly hope that you would take advantage of this incredible advancement in Mastiff health.

The Mastiff PRA gene test poll is here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MCOA/polls

One last thing. As mentioned earlier, the discovery of the gene which causes PRA in Mastiffs is the result of five years of hard work on the part of the researchers at Cornell - the staff at the Retinal Disease Studies Facility in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania - the MCOA PRA Research Committee - and many of you. It is the result of concerned Mastiff owners shipping pedigrees and vials of their PRA-affected dogs blood to be analyzed. It is the result of fundraising Walks, T-shirt sales and general pleas for donations. It is the result of the breeding of a PRA-affected Mastiff bitch, Ch. Lamars Nutn But Trouble, who - unlike her name suggests - has been nothing but a blessing. Its the result of the long hours spent by Troubles owners raising six spunky pups now known as the "Meagles" - who have no idea just how important they have been to this breed. It is the result of five families who were willing to adopt these Meagles, knowing the risk. Its the result of exciting developments that came at great cost, as two families must watch their beloved Meagles -- now PRA-affected -- slowly go blind.

And to think that it all started with a few interested people who were willing to be open about their dogs problems, who were willing to write articles and testimonials, and who were willing to make something happen for the future - "the betterment" -- of this breed. Weve come a long way.

And yet, there are so many other health problems affecting Mastiffs that still have researchers, breeders and owners looking for answers. But the discovery of the PRA gene is proof that together, the members of the Mastiff Club of America can make anything happen. So, let us celebrate this magnificent news, and "look to the future."

Thank you.

The MCOA PRA Research Committee
Carla Sanchez, Chair
Deb Jones (MCOA Health Committee Chair)
Kelly Cooper
Carrie Del Bonta
Karen Flocker
Kimberley Wall