Investigation of major canine diseases and quantitative traits based on estimation of genetic potential for dog breeding

Abstract

In this review paper, we investigated canine diseases and quantitative traits based on estimation of genetic potential to improve the quality of the companion dog breeding industry, as dogs make up the majority of companion animal. Until now, studies on the use of DNA markers in dogs have largely been related to parentage, breed identification, genetic diseases, and quantitative traits. Testing for parentage and breed often utilizes microsatellite markers, a method which has been shown to be effective in a number of studies. Genetic diseases in dogs are often caused by single mutations which show Mendelian inheritance. Causal genes, mutation types, and inheritance types have mainly been investigated in dog genetic diseases that occur most frequently. The coat color and body size of dogs are quantitative traits and do not follow Mendelian inheritance. The coat color of dogs is determined by a complex mechanism involving the interaction of 5 loci (E, A, K, D, and B). Body size was found to be related to mutations located in 17 genes (ESR1, FGF4, STC2, SMAD2, HMGA2, GHR, R3HCM1, ADAMTS9, ACSL4, IGF1R, LCORL, IRS4, IGSF1, TBX3, MED13L, RNFT2, and IGF1) and 2 loci (ZNF608 and IGF2BP2 loci). In addition, the hair feature is controlled by combinations of alleles at 5 genes (FGF5, RSPO2, KRT71, FOXI3, and SGK3). Overseas, companies (Embark, Wisdom panel, Orivet, etc.) that provide breed identification and screening for genetic diseases through DNA analysis are already available. Typical services include breed identification covering 180 – 250 breeds and risk diagnosis of 140 – 180 genetic diseases. DNA analysis services in the Republic of Korea are relatively inferior in quality/quantity and are under publicized. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a dog DNA analysis system that is easy to access and suitable for customers.