Canine hip dysplasia is a common developmental disorder of the hip joint that severely affects a dog’s quality of life. As the disease has several genetic risk elements and is influenced by environmental factors like diet and exercise, it is of paramount importance that genetic association studies are conducted using adequately-sized cohorts of genotyped diseased and healthy animals. Dr. Iivanainen will sample a large population of dogs (>300-400 dogs) so that contributing genetic loci can reliably be discovered. This research group expects that with such a strongly powered study all major genetic risk factors can be uncovered with a high statistical significance. Investigators expect that identified loci will be discovered across breeds. The identification of genetic risk elements will allow the development of genetic tests that can be used in breeding programs to control the disease incidence, as well as further studies regarding the possible role of diet and exercise in hip dysplasia development.
Grant Objectives:
- To establish an accurately phenotyped primary study cohort for genetic studies. We aim to sample at least 300 cases and 300 controls.
- To perform a GWAS for 144 cases and 144 controls using canine high density SNP arrays.
- To replicate the associated loci in independent multinational cohorts of dogs in different breeds.
Researcher
Dr. Antti Iivanainen, DVM, PhD
University of Helsinki and the Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics
Progress Report
Final: Grant-01828-Genetic-Risk-Factors-Canine-Hip-Dysplasia-EY3-Final
