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Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Research Samples Needed
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Golden Retrievers that have been diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist may be able to help develop a genetic test for this disease.
Fortunately, PRA is a rare diagnosis in Golden Retrievers, and is not the same thing as retinal dysplasia. PRA causes retinal degeneration and progresses over time to blindness. An isolated case of PRA in a Golden Retriever was recently tested at OptiGen, (a small genetic testing company specializing in inherited eye diseases in dogs) and was shown to be caused by a type of PRA called prcd. The prcd mutation observed in this Golden Retriever is also the cause of PRA in 20 other breeds of dogs, including Chesapeake Bay, Labrador, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (information on the DNA test for the prcd-PRA gene is available online at http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_prcd_pra.html). We do not know the prevalence of the prcd-PRA in the Golden Retriever compared to other forms of PRA however we do know that there is at least one other cause of PRA besides prcd in this breed. Only a few PRA affected Golden Retrievers have been tested for the prcd mutation and, as yet, no others have been shown to have the prcd form of PRA. Given the small numbers of PRA affected dogs that have been tested, it is difficult to accurately say whether prcd is an important cause of PRA in Goldens, however at this point it appears that another unidentified mutation is more common than prcd in the breed.
Golden Retrievers with PRA are needed to determine the prevalence of prcd compared to other causes of PRA in the breed. Additionally, samples which are found to represent the non-prcd type(s) of PRA will be included in ongoing studies to identify new mutations responsible for this disease. Eligibility must be pre-approved by OptiGen before sample submission. Requirements for participation include:
Golden Retrievers with PRA are needed to further (see below) Eligibility must be pre-approved by OptiGen before sample submission. Requirements for participation include:
- Eye examination showing a definitive diagnosis of PRA by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
- 4 to 5 generation pedigree
- Completed order form printed from the OptiGen website (www.optigen.com)
- Pre-approval from OptiGen (contact OptiGen at Genetest@optigen.com or by telephone at 607-257-0301 or Fax: 607-257-0353)
- 1-3 ml whole unclotted blood (in a lavender top tube)
OptiGen will test PRA affected dogs at no charge, provided the appropriate paperwork is received in addition to the sample. Pre-approval is needed to avoid sending samples which do not meet the research criteria.
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