Estimation of genetic parameters for radiographic signs of hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers
Engler, J.; Hamann, H.; Distl, O.
Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 121(9-10): 359-364
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0005-9366 PMID: 18822607 Document Number: 627718
The aim of this study was the analysis of environmental factors and estimation of genetic parameters for hip dysplasia in Labrador Retrievers. We analysed hip dysplasia scores of 2970 dogs from the official screening programme of the Labrador Club Deutschland (LCD) according to the FCI protocols. Traits evaluated were HD-Mit (average value of HD scores), HD-Max (higher score of both hip joints), HD-LI and HD-RE (HD score of the left or right hip joint). A linear animal model was employed to estimate heritabilities, additive genetic and residual correlations using Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML). Only inbreeding was significant after testing all non-genetic effects. Higher inbreeding coefficients were associated with higher HD scores. Heritability estimates and their standard errors were 0.38+or-0.04 for HD-Mit, 0.40+or-0.04 for HD-Max, 0.33+or-0.03 for HD-LI and 0.38+or-0.04 for HD-RE. The additive genetic correlation between HD-LI and HD-RE was 1. Heritability for female dogs was 0.31 and 0.30 for male dogs. The analysis of HD scores of Labrador Retrievers showed that the highest HD score of the hips should be used in breeding programmes, that heritabilities are not different among females and males, and that genetic components are much more important than environmental factors.