Scientists Pinpoint Genes for Deafness in Dogs

Professor Ottmar Distl and Susanne Kluth from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) investigated the genetic causes for congenital sensorineural deafness in 235 Dalmatians. They screened more than 170,000 genetic variants distributed across the entire genome for sensorineural deafness. "More than 90 percent of dogs with two or more gene variants for sensorineural deafness are affected by sensorineural deafness", the researchers said. They found genes which affect the development of different structures in the inner ear. This includes the tectorial membrane, which is located within the cochlea, and the organ of Corti with its hair cells which convert acoustic signals into nerve signals and transmit them to the auditory nerve. Animals without skin pigment cells in their inner ears are also found to be affected by sensorineural deafness.

The genetic findings provide the researchers with the basis to decode the causes for congenital sensorineural deafness. Using the latest methods of genome analysis, they are now comparing the genome of dogs suffering from congenital sensorineural deafness with that of dogs with normal hearing ability. They plan to investigate congenital sensorineural deafness in as many dog and cat breeds as possible.

For more details, visit http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0080642 and http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/agricultural_sciences/genes_deafness_dogs_223614.html.