Last week Glen of Imaal Terriers celebrated the news that Cornell University had found and identified the gene that causes PRA in Glen of Imaal Terriers; at long last there was a test to help take the breed forward. There was also equal, but very low key, rejoicing in Europe because, as so often happens in these sort of experiments, Bochum University also found the gene. Bochum felt parties that had donated major funding and grants should know first but now proudly stand as able to offer the test to all Glen of Imaal Terrier owners.
We say thank you to the various scientists that have made this possible but biggest thanks must go to the Glen of Imaal Terrier owners who have “done their bit” to raise funds in so many ways both sides of the Atlantic and now the reward is there for the taking. Obviously now there are laboratories on two Continents worries regarding shipping blood, and the time it will take, are reduced. Details from Optigen (licensed by Cornell) can be found here and details from Bochum can be found here-do read the PDF file attached to the Bochum release.
Two continents and an entire breed-we can all applaud ourselves!
Enthusiasts & Fanciers of Glens 
great news. Makes all those days fundraising so worthwhile x
Links don’t seem to work!
Optigen – http://www.optigen.com/opt9_request.html
Bochum – http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/mhg/MITARBEITER/ARBEITSGRUPPEN/PRA/Glen%20Form%20english.pdf
I’m a bit confused about the Bochum test!
Is it a direct DNA mutation test or an indirect DNA-marker-based test?
Will the test tell us that our dogs are normal/clear or carrier or affected?
Does ++ +- — mean normal/clear carrier affected?
Is it testing for crd3?
Thanks for clarifying.
Thanks-now working
Sorry … another question, in addtion to my queries above:
What is Bochum’s suggested breeding strategy for anyone using the Bochum test
i.e. what would be considered SAFE matings?
Surely anyone with the knowledge to have dogs tested would know the only safe matings are where one parent tests clear?
Isnt that amazing two testing groups 2 continents getting the same findings days apart .
Sue
Perhaps I should have phrased my question differently!
If the Bochum test is a marker test, rather than a DNA test, then the accuracy of the results is not as conclusive.
Optigen suggest that crd3-affecteds can be used with crd3-normal dogs … would this combination be considered “safe” with the Bochum test?
Assuming the tests are accurate;-
If one parent is clear no puppies will be affected which is great news for that generation. However if one parent is affected all the puppies are carriers which reduces their choice of prospective mates.
If one parent is a carrier, mated to clear it is to be hoped that some of the resultant puppies will test clear.
I doubt that in a breed as numerically small as Glens there are any affected dogs that need to be used. I could understand if for example, all fertile dogs of an outcross line were affected but I don’t know of any such pedigrees in Glens.
As for accuracy of the tests – who knows so far?
There is always the chance of a modifier or of a second form in Glens and eye testing needs to continue alongside DNA tests.
What does need doing is an overhaul of pedigree data bases to ensure all information is correct.
>>Assuming the tests are accurate<<
That's the point I'm not making very well!!
How accurate is the Bochum test? Is the + + (No risk; healthy) accurate enough to be able to pair with + – (Healthy, but carrier of the risk allele) or – – (Affected, or will develop gPRA with high probability) …??
Here's a link to a table showing outcomes for KNOWN PRA-status dogs:
http://www.bregorreyglens.co.uk/pra/pra_pedigrees.html#table
“Isnt that amazing two testing groups 2 continents getting the same findings days apart”
No not in the least – both groups will have been using similar research methods and both will have had access to the latest PRA research from other breeds.
An identical thing happened last autumn when the AHT here in the Uk announced that the mutated gene responsible for PLL in many terrier breeds had been identified, and were followed about ten hours later by a similar announcement from the States.