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Abstract
Although deafness can be acquired throughout an animal's life from a variety of causes, hereditary deafness, especially congenital hereditary deafness, is a significant problem in several species. Extensive reviews exist of the genetics of deafness in humans and mice, but not for deafness in domestic animals. Hereditary deafness in many species and breeds is associated with loci for white pigmentation, where the cochlear pathology is cochleo-saccular. In other cases, there is no pigmentation association and the cochlear pathology is neuroepithelial. Late onset hereditary deafness has recently been identified in dogs and may be present but not yet recognized in other species. Few genes responsible for deafness have been identified in animals, but progress has been made for identifying genes responsible for the associated pigmentation phenotypes. Across species, the genes identified with deafness or white pigmentation patterns include MITF, PMEL, KIT, EDNRB, CDH23, TYR, and TRPM1 in dog, cat, horse, cow, pig, sheep, ferret, mink, camelid, and rabbit. Multiple causative genes are present in some species. Significant work remains in many cases to identify specific chromosomal deafness genes so that DNA testing can be used to identify carriers of the mutated genes and thereby reduce deafness prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- George M. Strain
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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David VA, Menotti-Raymond M, Wallace AC, Roelke M, Kehler J, Leighty R, Eizirik E, Hannah SS, Nelson G, Schäffer AA, Connelly CJ, O'Brien SJ, Ryugo DK. Endogenous retrovirus insertion in the KIT oncogene determines white and white spotting in domestic cats. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2014; 4:1881-91. [PMID: 25085922 PMCID: PMC4199695 DOI: 10.1534/g3.114.013425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The Dominant White locus (W) in the domestic cat demonstrates pleiotropic effects exhibiting complete penetrance for absence of coat pigmentation and incomplete penetrance for deafness and iris hypopigmentation. We performed linkage analysis using a pedigree segregating White to identify KIT (Chr. B1) as the feline W locus. Segregation and sequence analysis of the KIT gene in two pedigrees (P1 and P2) revealed the remarkable retrotransposition and evolution of a feline endogenous retrovirus (FERV1) as responsible for two distinct phenotypes of the W locus, Dominant White, and white spotting. A full-length (7125 bp) FERV1 element is associated with white spotting, whereas a FERV1 long terminal repeat (LTR) is associated with all Dominant White individuals. For purposes of statistical analysis, the alternatives of wild-type sequence, FERV1 element, and LTR-only define a triallelic marker. Taking into account pedigree relationships, deafness is genetically linked and associated with this marker; estimated P values for association are in the range of 0.007 to 0.10. The retrotransposition interrupts a DNAase I hypersensitive site in KIT intron 1 that is highly conserved across mammals and was previously demonstrated to regulate temporal and tissue-specific expression of KIT in murine hematopoietic and melanocytic cells. A large-population genetic survey of cats (n = 270), representing 30 cat breeds, supports our findings and demonstrates statistical significance of the FERV1 LTR and full-length element with Dominant White/blue iris (P < 0.0001) and white spotting (P < 0.0001), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A David
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Marilyn Menotti-Raymond
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Andrea Coots Wallace
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Melody Roelke
- Leidos Biomedical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702 Labooratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) Bethesda Leidos Biomedical Research, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2471
| | - James Kehler
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Robert Leighty
- Data Management Services, Inc., National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Eduardo Eizirik
- Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90619-900, Brazil Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, Sao Paulo 12945-010, Brazil
| | | | - George Nelson
- BSP-CCR Genetics Core, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Alejandro A Schäffer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894
| | | | - Stephen J O'Brien
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702 Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - David K Ryugo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Center for Hearing Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205 Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Brandt C, Malmkvist J, Nielsen RL, Brande-Lavridsen N, Surlykke A. Development of vocalization and hearing in American mink (Neovison vison). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:3542-50. [PMID: 23788707 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.080226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
American mink (Neovison vison) kits are born altricial and fully dependent on maternal care, for which the kits' vocalizations appear essential. We used auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to determine: (1) hearing sensitivity of adult females from two breeding lines known to differ in maternal behaviour and (2) development of hearing in kits 8-52 days of age. We also studied sound production in 20 kits throughout postnatal days 1 to 44. Adult female mink had a broad hearing range from 1 kHz to above 70 kHz, with peak sensitivity (threshold of 20 dB SPL) at 8-10 kHz, and no difference in sensitivity between the two breeding lines (P>0.22) to explain the difference in maternal care. Mink kits showed no signs of hearing up to postnatal day 24. From day 30, all kits had ABRs indicative of hearing. Hearing sensitivity increased with age, but was still below the adult level at postnatal day 52. When separated from their mothers, kits vocalized loudly. Until the age of 22 days, 90% of all kits vocalized with no significant decline with age (P=0.27). From day 25, concurrent with the start of hearing, the number of vocalizing kits decreased with age (P<0.001), in particular in kits that were re-tested (P=0.004). Large numbers of mink are kept in fur industry farms, and our results are important to the understanding of sound communication, which is part of their natural behaviour. Our results also suggest mink as an interesting model for studying the development of mammalian hearing and its correlation to sound production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Brandt
- Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
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Abstract
Cats have among the best hearing of all mammals in that they are extremely sensitive to a broad range of frequencies. The ear is a highly complex structure that is delicately balanced in terms of its biochemistry, types of receptors, ion channels, mechanical properties, and cellular organization. Sensorineural deafness is caused by "flawed" genes that are inherited from one or both parents. Hearing loss can also be acquired as a result of noise trauma from industrialized environment, viral infection, or blunt trauma. To date, it is not practical to intervene and attempt to correct these forms of deafness in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Ryugo
- Hearing Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
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The Welfare of Farmed Mink ( Mustela Vison) in Relation to Behavioural Selection: A Review. Anim Welf 2001. [DOI: 10.1017/s0962728600023241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAnimal welfare is a major issue in Europe, and the production of mink, Mustela vison, has also been under debate. One common method of solving animal welfare problems is to adapt the environment to fit the behavioural needs of the animals. In comparison with other forms of husbandry, the mink production environment has remained relatively unchanged over the years and provides for some of the most obvious needs of mink. Whether today's typical housing conditions adequately meet the welfare requirements of mink is currently a topic of discussion. An alternative approach to improving welfare is to modify the animals so that they are better adapted to farming conditions. In large-scale animal production, handling of the individual can be a sporadic event, making an animal's inherent characteristics for temperament and adaptability important factors to consider with respect to its resultant welfare.In this review we present and discuss experiments on behavioural selection for temperament, and against undesirable behaviours, such as fur chewing, in mink. Fur chewing behaviour can be reduced by selection, apparently without any negative effects, whereas only a little is known about the nature and consequences of selecting against stereotypic behaviours. Long-term selection experiments have shown that it is possible to reduce fearfulness in farmed mink. Using a relatively simple test, it is possible for farmers to add behavioural measurements to their normal selection criteria and thereby improve the welfare of farmed mink.
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Yanz JL, Herr LR, Townsend DW, Witkop CJ. The questionable relation between cochlear pigmentation and noise-induced hearing loss. AUDIOLOGY : OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AUDIOLOGY 1985; 24:260-8. [PMID: 3840368 DOI: 10.3109/00206098509070110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Some evidence has suggested that susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss may be inversely proportional to the amount of melanin in the cochlea. However, published data have not been consistent in demonstrating this relation, and some results may be contaminated by lack of genetic control in experimental animals. In this investigation, noise-induced hearing loss was evaluated in pigmented and albino C57BL/6J mice that differed only in their ability to produce melanin. Surface-recorded electric responses to sound were used to assess auditory sensitivity. Results indicated no difference between the two groups either in pre-exposure thresholds or in magnitude of noise-induced threshold shift.
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