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Fallahi M, Masoudi AA, Torshizi RV. Genetic variants in the TAC1 transcriptional regulatory region affect on trainability and excitability levels in Belgian Malinois dogs. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1346. [PMID: 38227710 PMCID: PMC10790320 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trainability in dogs is affected by learning aptitude and memory capacity. While this trait has a heritable basis in canines, the specific genetic loci responsible for it remain unknown. Our previous results suggested that the BDNF, CCK and TAC1 genes are associated with learning and memory in canines. Experimental validation is crucial to confirm the effects of these candidate genes on trainability. Understanding the genetic foundation of this trait would offer insight into the inheritance pattern of complex behavioural characteristics. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the genetic variations within candidate genes and explore their potential associations with behavioural phenotypes in dogs. METHODS The behavioural characteristics of 123 male Belgian Malinois dogs were assessed using a customised questionnaire. Target regions of candidate genes were screened for genetic variation by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP). Following that, SSCP banding patterns were sequenced, and putative transcription factor binding sites were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Quantitative association analysis between identified genetic variants and behavioural trait scores was performed using the general linear model (GLM). RESULTS Sequencing the coding and flanking regions revealed three mutations (c.-89C>T, c.-162G>C and c.*33T>A) in the dog TAC1 gene. Bioinformatics analysis predicted two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were located within the putative TAC1 promoter and could disrupt transcription factor binding sites. Statistical tests revealed that the c.-89C>T was significantly associated with excitability (p < 0.01), while the c.-162G>C was significantly associated with trainability level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION In summary, we identified two regulatory SNPs in the 5'-UTR promoter region of the TAC1 gene that are associated with excitability and trainability in Belgian Malinois dogs. These genetic variations have the potential to alter the binding sites of transcription factors NRF1 and OTX1, consequently influencing TAC1 expression and related behavioural characteristics. Our findings implicate TAC1 polymorphisms as candidates influencing breed-specific behavioural characteristics in canines. Further studies on diverse breeds of dogs are necessary to validate these SNPs' effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Fallahi
- Faculty of AgricultureDepartment of Animal ScienceTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Ali Akbar Masoudi
- Faculty of AgricultureDepartment of Animal ScienceTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Rasoul Vaez Torshizi
- Faculty of AgricultureDepartment of Animal ScienceTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
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2
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Bai J, Chen S, Zhou Z, Zhao X, Song M, Wang F, Wang J. Association between TH/MAOB gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and excitability in Labrador Retrievers. Anim Genet 2023. [PMID: 37185969 DOI: 10.1111/age.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Excitability is a pivotal quality in guide dogs because moderately active dogs are more trainable. Excessive activity is associated with behavioral problems and pet surrender. Excitability is a highly heritable trait, yet the relevant genetic factors and markers associated with this condition are poorly characterized. In the present study, we selected six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of two genes that are possibly related to excitability in dogs (TH c.264G > A, TH c.1208A > T, TH c.415C > G, TH c.168C > T, TH c.180C > T and MAOB c.199 T > C). We measured the excitability of dogs using seven variables from three behavioral tests: the play test (interest in play, grabbing in throw and tug-of-war), the chase test (following and forward grabbing) and the passive test (moving range and moving time). These behavioral tests are part of the Dog Mentality Assessment developed by Svartberg & Forkman. The activity scores in the guide dog group were higher than in the temperament withdrawal group, and significant differences were detected in the aggregate score (p = 0.02), passive activity score (p = 0.007) and moving range score (p = 0.04). Analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test and non-parametric Steel-Dwass test to evaluate the relationship between these SNPs and behavioral variable scores revealed that TH c.264G > A was associated with aggregate scores of excitability-related behavioral variables (adj. p = 0.03), object-interaction activity scores (adj. p = 0.03), following scores (adj. p = 0.03) and forward grabbing scores (adj. p = 0.03) in Labrador dogs and MAOB c.199 T > C was associated with moving range scores in these dogs (adj. p = 0.004). However, these results had low power. To explain the behavioral traits, further genetic studies more reliable than candidate gene studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bai
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shuting Chen
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zijuan Zhou
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xuerong Zhao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Mengyu Song
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fujin Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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3
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Ho UH, Pak SH, Kim K, Pak HS. Efficient screening of SNP in canine OR52N9 and OR9S25 as assistant marker of olfactory ability. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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4
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Artificial Selection Drives SNPs of Olfactory Receptor Genes into Different Working Traits in Labrador Retrievers. Genet Res (Camb) 2022; 2022:8319396. [PMID: 35185392 PMCID: PMC8828343 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8319396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Labs as guide dogs or sniffer dogs in usage have been introduced into China for more than 20 years. These two types of working dogs own blunt or acute olfactory senses, which have been obtained by artificial selection in relatively closed populations. In order to attain stable olfactory attributes and meet use-oriented demands, Chinese breeders keep doing the same artificial selection. Though olfactory behavior is canine genetic behavior, genotypes of OR genes formed by breeding schemes are largely unknown. Here, we characterized 26 SNPs, 2 deletions, and 2 insertions of 7 OR genes between sniffer dogs and guide dogs in order to find out the candidate alleles associated with working specific traits. The results showed that there were candidate functional SNP alleles in one locus that had statistically severely significant differences between the two subpopulations. Furthermore, the levels of polymorphism were not high in all loci and linkage disequilibrium only happened within one OR gene. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) tests showed that there was a higher ratio not in HWE and lower FST within the two working dog populations. We conclude that artificial selection in working capacities has acted on SNP alleles of OR genes in a dog breed and driven the evolution in compliance with people's intentions though the changes are limited in decades of strategic breeding.
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5
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Lippi G, Heaney LM. The "olfactory fingerprint": can diagnostics be improved by combining canine and digital noses? Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 58:958-967. [PMID: 31990659 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2019-1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A sniffer (detecting) dog is conventionally defined as an animal trained to use its olfactory perceptions for detecting a vast array of substances, mostly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including those exceptionally or exclusively generated in humans bearing specific pathologies. Such an extraordinary sniffing performance translates into the capability of detecting compounds close to the femtomolar level, with performance comparable to that of current mass spectrometry-based laboratory applications. Not only can dogs accurately detect "abnormal volatilomes" reflecting something wrong happening to their owners, but they can also perceive visual, vocal and behavioral signals, which altogether would contribute to raise their alertness. Although it seems reasonable to conclude that sniffer dogs could never be considered absolutely "diagnostic" for a given disorder, several lines of evidence attest that they may serve as efficient screening aids for many pathological conditions affecting their human companions. Favorable results have been obtained in trials on cancers, diabetes, seizures, narcolepsy and migraine, whilst interesting evidence is also emerging on the capability of early and accurately identifying patients with infectious diseases. This would lead the way to proposing an "olfactory fingerprint" loop, where evidence that dogs can identify the presence of human pathologies provides implicit proof of the existence of disease-specific volatilomes, which can be studied for developing laboratory techniques. Contextually, the evidence that specific pathologies are associated with abnormal VOC generation may serve as reliable basis for training dogs to detect these compounds, even (or especially) in patients at an asymptomatic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University Hospital of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Liam M Heaney
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
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6
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Bray EE, Otto CM, Udell MAR, Hall NJ, Johnston AM, MacLean EL. Enhancing the Selection and Performance of Working Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:644431. [PMID: 34055947 PMCID: PMC8149746 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.644431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dogs perform a variety of integral roles in our society, engaging in work ranging from assistance (e.g., service dogs, guide dogs) and therapy to detection (e.g., search-and-rescue dogs, explosive detection dogs) and protection (e.g., military and law enforcement dogs). However, success in these roles, which requires dogs to meet challenging behavioral criteria and to undergo extensive training, is far from guaranteed. Therefore, enhancing the selection process is critical for the effectiveness and efficiency of working dog programs and has the potential to optimize how resources are invested in these programs, increase the number of available working dogs, and improve working dog welfare. In this paper, we review two main approaches for achieving this goal: (1) developing selection tests and criteria that can efficiently and effectively identify ideal candidates from the overall pool of candidate dogs, and (2) developing approaches to enhance performance, both at the individual and population level, via improvements in rearing, training, and breeding. We summarize key findings from the empirical literature regarding best practices for assessing, selecting, and improving working dogs, and conclude with future steps and recommendations for working dog organizations, breeders, trainers, and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Bray
- Arizona Canine Cognition Center, School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Canine Companions for Independence, National Headquarters, Santa Rosa, CA, United States
| | - Cynthia M Otto
- Penn Vet Working Dog Center, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Monique A R Udell
- Human-Animal Interaction Laboratory, Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Nathaniel J Hall
- Canine Olfaction Lab, Department of Animal and Food Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Angie M Johnston
- Boston College Canine Cognition Center, Psychology and Neuroscience Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Evan L MacLean
- Arizona Canine Cognition Center, School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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7
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Field MA, Rosen BD, Dudchenko O, Chan EKF, Minoche AE, Edwards RJ, Barton K, Lyons RJ, Tuipulotu DE, Hayes VM, D. Omer A, Colaric Z, Keilwagen J, Skvortsova K, Bogdanovic O, Smith MA, Aiden EL, Smith TPL, Zammit RA, Ballard JWO. Canfam_GSD: De novo chromosome-length genome assembly of the German Shepherd Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) using a combination of long reads, optical mapping, and Hi-C. Gigascience 2020; 9:giaa027. [PMID: 32236524 PMCID: PMC7111595 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaa027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is one of the most common breeds on earth and has been bred for its utility and intelligence. It is often first choice for police and military work, as well as protection, disability assistance, and search-and-rescue. Yet, GSDs are well known to be susceptible to a range of genetic diseases that can interfere with their training. Such diseases are of particular concern when they occur later in life, and fully trained animals are not able to continue their duties. FINDINGS Here, we provide the draft genome sequence of a healthy German Shepherd female as a reference for future disease and evolutionary studies. We generated this improved canid reference genome (CanFam_GSD) utilizing a combination of Pacific Bioscience, Oxford Nanopore, 10X Genomics, Bionano, and Hi-C technologies. The GSD assembly is ∼80 times as contiguous as the current canid reference genome (20.9 vs 0.267 Mb contig N50), containing far fewer gaps (306 vs 23,876) and fewer scaffolds (429 vs 3,310) than the current canid reference genome CanFamv3.1. Two chromosomes (4 and 35) are assembled into single scaffolds with no gaps. BUSCO analyses of the genome assembly results show that 93.0% of the conserved single-copy genes are complete in the GSD assembly compared with 92.2% for CanFam v3.1. Homology-based gene annotation increases this value to ∼99%. Detailed examination of the evolutionarily important pancreatic amylase region reveals that there are most likely 7 copies of the gene, indicative of a duplication of 4 ancestral copies and the disruption of 1 copy. CONCLUSIONS GSD genome assembly and annotation were produced with major improvement in completeness, continuity, and quality over the existing canid reference. This resource will enable further research related to canine diseases, the evolutionary relationships of canids, and other aspects of canid biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt A Field
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield Road, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Garran Rd, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Benjamin D Rosen
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service USDA, Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Olga Dudchenko
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Center for Theoretical and Biological Physics, Rice University, Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Eva K F Chan
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Andre E Minoche
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Richard J Edwards
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Kirston Barton
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ruth J Lyons
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Daniel Enosi Tuipulotu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Vanessa M Hayes
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Parramatta Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Arina D. Omer
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Zane Colaric
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jens Keilwagen
- Julius Kühn-Institut, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484 Quedlinburg, Germany
| | - Ksenia Skvortsova
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Ozren Bogdanovic
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Martin A Smith
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Erez Lieberman Aiden
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Center for Theoretical and Biological Physics, Rice University, Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, ShanghaiTech University, Huaxia Middle Rd, Pudong 201210, China
| | - Timothy P L Smith
- US Meat Animal Research Center, Agricultural Research Service USDA, Rd 313, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Robert A Zammit
- Vineyard Veterinary Hospital, Windsor Rd, Vineyard, NSW 2765, Australia
| | - J William O Ballard
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, High St, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
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8
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Konno A, Inoue-Murayama M, Yabuta S, Tonoike A, Nagasawa M, Mogi K, Kikusui T. Effect of Canine Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism on the Successful Training of Drug Detection Dogs. J Hered 2019. [PMID: 29538681 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug detection dogs can be trained to locate various prohibited drugs with targeted odors, and they play an important role in the interdiction of drug smuggling in human society. Recent studies provide the interesting hypothesis that the oxytocin system serves as a biological basis for co-evolution between dogs and humans. Here, we offer the new possibility that genetic variation of the canine oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene may regulate the success of a dog's training to become a drug detection dog. A total of 340 Labrador Retriever dogs that were trained to be drug detection dogs in Japan were analyzed. We genotyped an exonic SNP (rs8679682) in the OXTR gene and compared the training success rate of dogs with different genotypes. We also asked dog trainers in the training facility to evaluate subjective personality assessment scores for each dog and examined how each dog's training success was related to those scores. A significant effect of the OXTR genotype on the success of the dogs' training was found, with a higher proportion of dogs carrying the C allele (T/C and C/C genotypes) being successful candidates than dogs carrying the T/T genotype. Dog personality scores of Training Focus (Factor 1) were positively correlated with an increased likelihood that a dog would successfully complete training. Although the molecular mechanism of the OXTR gene and its functional pathway related to dog behavior remains unknown, our findings suggest that canine OXTR gene variants may regulate individual differences between dogs in their responsiveness to training for drug detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akitsugu Konno
- Department of Animal Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Uenohara, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Miho Inoue-Murayama
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan.,Wildlife Genome Collaborative Research Group, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinji Yabuta
- Department of Animal Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, Uenohara, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Akiko Tonoike
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.,Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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9
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Sacharczuk M, Walczak M, Adamkiewicz E, Walasek A, Ensminger J, Presch M, Jezierski T. Polymorphism of olfactory and neurotransmitters receptor genes in drug and explosives detection dogs can be associated with differences in detection performance. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Wagner F, Ruf I. Who nose the borzoi? Turbinal skeleton in a dolichocephalic dog breed (Canis lupus familiaris). Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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11
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Comprehensive inbred variation discovery in Bama pigs using de novo assemblies. Gene 2018; 679:81-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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12
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Luo D, Ma X, Bai J, Zhou Z, Wang F, Wang A, Wang J. Association between COMT SNP variation and timidity in Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Anim Genet 2018; 49:340-344. [PMID: 29932467 DOI: 10.1111/age.12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Timidity in dogs is a trait with high heritability. However, the relevant genetic factors and markers associated with this condition are largely unknown. The function of the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene has been found to be associated with human fearful or anxious emotions, and the COMT:p.Val158Met polymorphism locus is significantly related to anxious behavior. In the present study, the correlation between timidity and four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variations (C.-1666C>G c.39A>G, c.216G>A, c.482G>A) of the COMT gene was investigated in dogs. The evaluation was based on the dog courage assessment assay and a genotype and haplotype analysis in Labrador Retrievers (LR) and Golden Retrievers (GR). The principal components analysis factor structure of the courage phenotype was invariant between LR and GR. Sex, breed and age had no statistically significant effect on the timidity of the dogs. All SNP loci detected were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The c.39A>G locus was removed in the subsequent association analysis due to the significant difference between LR and GR in genotype distributions. Intriguingly, the genotypes and haplotypes of the COMT gene were significantly and highly correlated with the timidity of LR and GR. The A alleles of the COMT:c.216G>A and c.482G>A loci appeared to play a dominant role in the timid behavior of the dogs. This result supports and broadens the warrior/worrier hypothesis and will have important implications for the understanding of the evolution of temperament in dogs. Additionally, the results provide predictive genetic markers for temperament in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Luo
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - X Ma
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - J Bai
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - Z Zhou
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - F Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - A Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
| | - J Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, China
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