Canine coat pigmentation genetics: a review.

Anim Genet. February 2022;53(1):3-34.

L Brancalion¹, B Haase², C M Wade³

¹ Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.; ² Faculty of Science, School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.; ³ Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Abstract

Our understanding of canine coat colour genetics and the associated health implications is developing rapidly. To date, there are 15 genes with known roles in canine coat colour phenotypes. Many coat phenotypes result from complex and/or epistatic genetic interactions among variants within and between loci, some of which remain unidentified. Some genes involved in canine pigmentation have been linked to aural, visual and neurological impairments. Consequently, coat pigmentation in the domestic dog retains considerable ethical and economic interest. In this paper we discuss coat colour phenotypes in the domestic dog, the genes and variants responsible for these phenotypes and any proven coat colour-associated health effects.

Keywords

albinism; coat colour; deafness; dog; melanocyte; melanogenesis; pigmentation;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Comments:

Erratum In Anim Genet. 2022 Jun;53(3):474-475

Archives Highlights:

Companion animal veterinary personnel have occupational risk for tularemia and One Health role for tularemia prevention in Kansas.
Forty-three percent (47 of 109) of veterinarians reported diagnosing tularemia in cats and 13% (14 of 109) in dogs. Seven percent (8 of 109) of veterinarians reported having had tularemia. When performing procedures with a high risk of exposure, such as lancing abscesses in tularemia suspects, glove use was 100% but additional personal protective equipment was inconsistent, including eye protection (70%) and surgical face mask (59%).

Association between highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks and weather conditions in Japan.
We found that higher average air temperatures two to three weeks prior, lower average wind speeds four weeks prior, and longer sunlight hours two and four weeks prior to outbreaks were significantly associated with increased risk of HPAI outbreaks in Japan. These results suggest that weather may influence environmental survival and transmission of the virus, as well as patterns of wild bird movement that could seed new outbreaks.

Oral Flea Preventive to Control Rickettsia typhi-Infected Fleas on Reservoir Opossums, Galveston, Texas, USA, 2023-2024.
Spinosad killed 98% of fleas infesting opossums.

Feline blood donation: Description and adverse reactions from 29 201 donation events between 2019 and 2023.
Adverse reactions were uncommon (0.29%, 2.88/1000 donor events) and most commonly were cardiorespiratory (0.08%, 0.75/1000 donor events) or behavioral (0.06%, 0.62/1000 donor events). The only risk factor significantly associated with adverse reactions was conscious donation, with conscious donors 4.4 times more likely to have an adverse reaction.

Challenges and Outlook of Veterinary Education in Iran: A Survey of Veterinary Students at Urmia University During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Regarding future employment, 45.8% of participants wanted to start their own business or practice, whereas 54.2% preferred employment opportunities. A significant 81.6% of participants said they would consider emigrating to pursue better career prospects.