Inheritance of cataract in the Bichon Frise.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the mode of inheritance of cataract formation in the Bichon Frise.


METHODS
Thirty-six closely related Bichon Frise dogs in a pedigree of 61 dogs were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy over a period of 10 years.


RESULTS
Of the 61 related dogs, 36 were examined repeatedly. Twelve cataractous dogs were diagnosed (three males and nine females). Cataractous dogs resulted from matings between unaffected parents, and when one parent was cataractous and the other parent was unaffected. Age at onset of cataract formation ranged from 18 to 160 months. Available information suggests that the cataracts are inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.


CONCLUSIONS
Cataracts appear inherited in the Bichon Frise as an autosomal recessive trait. Additional cataract x cataract matings are necessary to confirm the autosomal recessive heredity.
Wallace
M R
MR
Department of Molecular Genetics, and Pediatric Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Peggyw@ufl.edu
MacKay
E O
EO
Gelatt
K N
KN
Andrew
Stacy E
SE
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree