Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 326-334 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 327 This study investigates the impact of breeding practices on the prevalence of genetic diseases in cats by examining the prevalence of specific genetic disorders across various cat breeds, analyzing their genetic diversity, evaluating the effectiveness of current breeding strategies in mitigating these diseases, and exploring the roles of genetic testing and genome-wide association studies in identifying and managing these diseases, aiming to promote the development of more effective breeding programs that prioritize feline health and welfare through a comprehensive overview of feline genetics and breeding practices. 2 Breeding Practices and Genetic Health 2.1 Selective breeding and its impacts Selective breeding in cats aims to enhance desirable traits, but it can also inadvertently propagate genetic disorders. Gene mapping projects have revealed that selective breeding practices sometimes lead to structural alterations that may be harmful. For instance, inherited bone and cartilage disorders have been linked to specific genetic mutations, which are often perpetuated through selective breeding (Haase et al., 2016). This practice, while beneficial for maintaining breed standards, necessitates a careful balance to avoid the propagation of hereditary diseases. 2.2 Inbreeding and the prevalence of genetic disorders Inbreeding is a common practice in cat breeding due to the small population sizes within breeds. This practice is essential to maintain breed standards but can lead to significant genetic health issues. Inbreeding depression, characterized by decreased fertility, smaller litter sizes, and increased neonatal mortality, is a notable consequence (Casal, 2022). Studies on traditional Siamese cats have shown that inbreeding can spread hereditary diseases and reduce genetic diversity. Optimal contribution selection and minimizing kinship within regional subpopulations can help improve genetic diversity, although achieving this without a supervised breeding program is challenging. Comprehensive records and DNA analysis can aid breeders in making informed decisions to mitigate the negative impacts of inbreeding. 2.3 Popular breeds and associated hereditary diseases Certain cat breeds are more prone to specific hereditary diseases due to their genetic makeup(Junaid, 2011; Vapalahti et al., 2016). For example, the traditional Siamese cat, which has been subject to extensive inbreeding, shows a higher prevalence of hereditary diseases (Pistorius and Blokker, 2021). Additionally, selective breeding has been linked to inherited skeletal conditions in various breeds, highlighting the need for veterinarians to understand these genetic bases to improve diagnosis and management. Effective breeding practices, including the use of DNA panels and genetic counseling, are crucial in reducing the incidence of these hereditary diseases and maintaining the overall health of popular cat breeds (Rokhsar et al., 2021). 3 Mechanisms of Hereditary Disease Transmission in Cats 3.1 Genetic inheritance patterns in cats Genetic inheritance in cats follows the basic principles of Mendelian genetics, where traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes. These genes can be dominant, recessive, or linked to sex chromosomes. For instance, the study on genome sequencing in feline colonies highlights how genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients can be managed to avoid the spread of hereditary diseases (Farias et al., 2017). Additionally, the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in domestic cats, which varies significantly among breeds, plays a crucial role in understanding how genetic traits are inherited and can be used to design efficient genome-wide association studies (Alhaddad et al., 2013). 3.2 Common genetic mutations leading to diseases Cats are known to carry over 70 genetic mutations that can lead to various diseases and structural abnormalities. These mutations include those affecting bone and cartilage, as well as other clinically relevant health concerns (Haase et al., 2016). For example, the study on mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) in cats discusses specific DNA variants such as L476P and D520N in the ARSBgene, which are associated with this condition (Lyons et al., 2016). Furthermore, a large-scale study involving over 11 000 domestic cats identified 13 disease-associated variants across 48 breeds, underscoring the prevalence and impact of these mutations on feline health (Anderson et al., 2021).
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