The genetic dissection of inbreeding depression revealed by genomic and animal insurance data

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15968
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Anicom Specialty Medical Institute Inc
• Principal Investigator: Yuki Matsumoto アニコム先進医療研究所株式会社(研究開発課), 研究開発課, 研究員 (40831384)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: イヌ / 遺伝子 / 近交弱勢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to identify genetic variants that specifically affect inbreeding depression using medical insurance claims data, genome-wide analysis, and gene function prediction models for diseases in dogs. Using insurance claims data over a period of more than 10 years and information on five representative diseases (gastrointestinal, skin, musculoskeletal, urological, and ophthalmological diseases), we found a trend toward lower levels of inbreeding in the group with skin disease than in the control group in toy poodles. Although the original purpose of the study on inbreeding depression was not achieved, no clear disease-related inbreeding depression was found in dogs, and outbreeding depression, not so popular phenomena, was revealed for skin diseases in toy poodles.

Free Research Field

動物遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

イヌにおいて、近親交配の程度が低い個体が、高い個体よりも適応度が低くなるという異系交配弱勢は、あまり知られていない現象である。本研究成果は、トイプードルの皮膚疾患という限られた疾患ではあるが、異系交配が皮膚疾患のリスクを高める可能性を示した。今後、イヌにおける異系交配弱勢の分子メカニズムを明らかにしていくことで、より適切な繁殖計画の策定やその実施による疾患リスクの低減に繋がる可能性がある。