Currently, 130000 dogs are euthanized in Australia as a result of abandonment in animal shelters (2). Two paramount factors which are of importance are aggression and mass production of litters. Genetics can make a difference to these atrocious statistics. Lindblad-Toh, K, et al. (2005), have covered nearly 99% of the dog genome. They sampled 10 different dog breeds as well as other canine species resulting in the discovery of 2.5 million individual genetic differences among these breeds. These differences, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are utilized in determining ‘signposts’ that can be used to locate the genetic contributions to physical and behavioral traits as well as disease (1).
Additionally the discovery of selective breeding carrying large genomic regions of several million bases of DNA into breeds, called ‘haplotype blocks’, making it much easier to find the genes responsible for behavior (also disease and body size).
SNPs and large genomic regions will help in identifying aggressive and large litter size genomes. Once the genomes are isolated then the genes from that particular genome can be identified and also the protein associated with that gene. This opens multiple avenues of stopping that particular trait from continuing. Additionally, the genes for non aggressive and small litter size must be dominant (3) and a coat colour marker should be used. Once it is, then these genes should be included into the genetic pool so it can be passed to the next generation. Hopefully in time dog abandonment, over population and aggression can be stopped.
References:
Primary:
1. Lindblad-Toh, K, et al. (2005). Genome sequence, comparative analysis and haplotype structure of the domestic dog. Nature 438, 803-819.
Secondary:
2. www.saynotoanimalsinpetshops.com/faq.html
3. www.bowlingsite.mcf.com/GENETICS/colorGen.html
Useful website:
4. www.workingdogs.com/genetics.htm
BY: Candice McKeone- Taylor. 40096559
No comments:
Post a Comment