The Effects of FGF4 Retrogenes on Canine Morphology

Bannasch, Danika; Batcher, Kevin; Leuthard, Fabienne; Bannasch, Michael; Hug, Petra; Marcellin-Little, Denis J.; Dickinson, Peter J.; Drögemüller, Michaela; Drögemüller, Cord; Leeb, Tosso (2022). The Effects of FGF4 Retrogenes on Canine Morphology. Genes, 13(2), p. 325. MDPI, Molecular Diversity Preservation International 10.3390/genes13020325

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Two FGF4 retrogenes (FGF4L1 on chromosome 18 and FGF4L2 on chromosome 12) have been identified to cause dwarfism across many dog breeds. Some breeds are nearly homozygous for both retrogenes (e.g., Dachshunds) and others are homozygous for just one (e.g., Beagles and Scottish Terriers). Since most breeds do not segregate both of these retrogenes, it is challenging to evaluate their individual effects on long bone length and body size. We identified two dog breeds selected for hunting ability, the Alpine Dachsbracke and the Schweizer Niederlaufhund, that segregate both of these retrogenes. Using individual measurements of height at the shoulder, back length, head width, thorax depth and width, and thoracic limb measurements, we evaluated the combined effects of FGF4 retrogenes within these breeds. We applied multivariable linear regression analysis to determine the effects of retrogene copy numbers on the measurements. Copy numbers of both retrogenes had significant effects reducing height at the shoulders and antebrachial length, with FGF4L1 having a much greater effect than FGF4L2. FGF4L1 alone influenced the degree of carpal valgus and FGF4L2 alone increased head width. Neither retrogene had an effect on thorax width or depth. Selectively breeding dogs with FGF4L1 and without FGF4L2 would likely lead to a reduction in the FGF4L2-related risk of intervertebral disc herniation while maintaining the reduction in leg length resulting from FGF4L1.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH) > Institute of Genetics
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH)

UniBE Contributor:

Leuthard, Fabienne Nadja, Hug, Petra, Drögemüller, Michaela, Drögemüller, Cord, Leeb, Tosso

Subjects:

500 Science > 590 Animals (Zoology)
600 Technology > 630 Agriculture
500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

2073-4425

Publisher:

MDPI, Molecular Diversity Preservation International

Language:

English

Submitter:

Cord Drögemüller

Date Deposited:

04 Mar 2022 15:41

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 16:08

Publisher DOI:

10.3390/genes13020325

PubMed ID:

35205370

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/165604

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/165604

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