Background:

Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a late-onset disease that primarily affects large-breed dogs. The disease involves the spinal cord and produces progressive paresia and, eventually, complete loss of mobility. DM has been related to missense mutation c.118G>A in the SOD1 gene.

Objective:

To determine the genotypic and genic frequencies of DM in Mexico.

Methods:

In total, 330 samples from 22 different dog breeds were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) technique.

Results:

The mutation was identified in 71 animals from 11 different breeds. Observed genic frequencies were 0.78 for the G allele and 0.14 for the A allele. Genotypic frequencies were 0.79 for the G/G wild-type, 0.14 for the G/A heterozygote, and 0.7 for the A/A homozygote.

Conclusion:

The genic frequency of this allele is high among the studied populations. A molecular marker program that identifies the DM mutation in breeding dogs should be implemented in order to reduce this frequency.

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