Idiopathic Epilepsy Risk Allele Trends in Belgian Tervuren: A Longitudinal Genetic Analysis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Genetics
• Canine Health
• Epilepsy Research

Background:

• Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is a known inherited condition in Belgian Tervuren dogs.
• Recent studies identified risk genotypes for IE on Canis familiaris chromosomes (CFA) 14 and 37.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze allele frequencies of IE risk loci in Belgian Tervuren.
• To determine if breeders have purposefully selected against IE over time.
• To assess the effectiveness of selection against IE in the breed.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of allele frequencies between two generational groupings of Belgian Tervuren.
• Analysis of risk-associated alleles on CFA14 and CFA37.
• Statistical analysis of allele frequency changes over time (1985-2015).

Main Results:

• Allele frequencies for risk-associated alleles on CFA14 remained unchanged between 1985 and 2015.
• Allele frequencies for risk-associated alleles on CFA37 increased in the control population (p < 0.05).
• Dogs with IE showed a decrease in IE risk-associated allele frequency at the CFA37 locus (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Selection against IE in Belgian Tervuren has not been successful.
• Seizure prevalence in the breed appears to be increasing.
• Genetic factors contributing to IE require further investigation and targeted breeding strategies.