HELIYON, vol.10, no.18, pp.1-52, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Canine hip
and elbow dysplasias, which are prevalent orthopedic conditions rooted in
developmental and hereditary factors are yet to be comprehensively assessed.
This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the prognostic significance
of five markers linked to canine hip dysplasia using available genome-wide
association studies (GWAS) data. The influence of these markers on both hip and
elbow dysplasia was examined in dogs exposed to standardized environmental
conditions. We made a groundbreaking discovery using custom primers, qPCR assays,
and evaluation of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes. Three
specific SNPs previously associated with the risk of canine hip dysplasia
demonstrated a potentially stronger correlation with elbow dysplasia. Notably,
the SNP at nucleotide position 22691322, located near the canine CHST3 gene, displayed significance as a
marker in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Surprisingly, none of the
initially targeted SNPs showed a direct association with hip dysplasia. The
genomic positions of these SNPs reside within a region conserved across
mammals. In silico analyses suggested
that the relevant variant might be positioned in a region linked to bone and
muscle structures. Our findings revealed a remarkable
relationship between SNP2 genotypes and methylation patterns, shedding light on
the underlying mechanism that partially explains the genotype-phenotype
correlation in canine CHST3. These
groundbreaking findings offer essential insights for future, more extensive
investigations into canine orthopedic health. This research significantly
contributes to our understanding of the molecular foundations of hip and elbow
dysplasia in dogs by charting a course for advancements in veterinary medicine
and the overall well-being of canine companions.