Clinical, histopathological and genetic data of ichthyosis in the golden retriever: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
We described epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural features of ichthyosis in the golden retriever breed in a prospective study. We also investigated the mode of transmission of this disease.


METHODS
We examined 150 golden retrievers, 73 of which were affected by ichthyosis (35 males and 38 females). We carried out detailed clinical and histopathological examinations for 40 affected dogs. Transmission electron microscopy was performed for two of them. We used pedigree analysis with the Cyrillic software to determine the mode of transmission.


RESULTS
Dermatological signs included a mild to moderate or severe generalised scaling with initially small to large whitish scales and progressively blackish scales. The ventral glabrous skin was hyperpigmented and rough, similar to sandpaper. Histopathological features were characterised by moderate to severe laminated or compact orthokeratotic epidermal hyperkeratosis without significant involvement of the stratum granulosum. Ultrastructural findings revealed laminated or compact keratin layers and numerous persistent corneodesmosomes within the stratum corneum. Analysis of the pedigree suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance.


CONCLUSIONS
The histopathological and ultrastructural characteristics strongly suggest that golden retriever ichthyosis is a retention ichthyosis, caused by absence of corneodesmosomal degradation, transmitted through an autosomal recessive mode.
Guaguere
E
E
Clinique vétérinaire Saint Bernard, Lomme, France.
Bensignor
E
E
Küry
S
S
Degorce-Rubiales
F
F
Muller
A
A
Herbin
L
L
Fontaine
J
J
André
C
C
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D055032:Electron Microscope Tomography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D007057:Ichthyosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D011446:Prospective Studies