Interpreting Your DNA Test Results for
Autosomal Recessive Disease
vWD Type 1
There are three possible test results: Clear, Carrier,
and Affected. Below is a description of what each result means
to you as a breeder.
CLEAR This
finding indicates that the gene is not present in your dog. Therefore,
when used for breeding, a Clear dog will not pass on the disease
gene.
CARRIER This
finding indicates that one copy of the disease gene is present
in your dog, but that it will not exhibit disease symptoms. Carriers
will not have medical problems as a result. Dogs with Carrier
status can be enjoyed without the fear of developing medical problems
but will pass on the disease gene 50% of the time.
AFFECTED
This finding indicates that two copies of the disease gene are present in the
dog. These dogs always have a potential to bleed given the right circumstance
and will always pass on the disease gene (mutation) to their progeny. Please see
the following page, for more detailed information.
vWD Report
Also, inform your veterinarian and
consult with him/her regarding this test result.
Breeding Strategies
VetGen's DNA test findings can be extremely valuable
when developing and implementing your breeding plans. The chart
provided below outlines the implications of various breeding pair
combinations. Remember, it is always best to breed "Clear
to Clear". If followed by all breeders, these strategies
will ensure a significant reduction in the frequency of the targeted
disease gene in future generations of dogs. However, to maintain
a large enough pool of good breeding stock, it may be necessary
for some breeders to breed "Clear" to "Carriers"
(see below).
Breeding Pair Combinations | CLEAR MALE | CARRIER MALE | AFFECTED MALE |
| CLEAR FEMALE | 100% Clear | 50/50 Carrier/Clear | 100% Carrier |
| CARRIER FEMALE | 50/50 Carrier/Clear | 25/50/25 Clr./Carr./Affctd. | 50/50 Carrier/Affected |
| AFFECTED FEMALE | 100% Carrier | 50/50 Carrier/Affected | 100% Affected |
Ideal Breeding Pair. Puppies will not have the disease
gene (neither as Carrier nor as Affected).
Breeding Is Safe. No Affected puppies will be produced.
However, some or all puppies will be Carriers. Accordingly, it
is recommended that Carrier dogs which are desirable for breeding
be bred with Clear dogs in the future, which will produce 50%
carrier and 50% clear animals, to further reduce the disease gene
frequency. These offspring should be tested by VetGen's test for
this defective gene, and if possible, only the clear animals
in this generation should be used.
High Risk Breeding. Some puppies are likely to be Carriers
and some puppies are likely to be Affected. Even though it is
possible that there will be some clear puppies when breeding "Carrier
to Carrier", in general, neither this type of breeding pair
nor "Carrier to Affected" are recommended for breeding.
Breeding Not Recommended. All puppies will be genetically Affected.
Canine: vWD Patents
US Patent No. 6,040,143 and 6,074,832
Licensed Exclusively by The Board of Regents of the
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) System to VetGen LLC
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