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Phenotype: Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP) is characterized by a generalized, progressive loss of balance with increasing immobility. Signs of LEMP often appear prior to 1 year of age, typically presenting as gait abnormalities including dragging of paws and knuckling.
Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive
Alleles: N = Normal, LEMP = Leukoencephalomyelopathy
Breeds appropriate for testing: Rottweiler, Great Dane
Explanation of Results:
- Dogs with N/N genotype will not have leukoencephalomyelopathy and cannot transmit this leukoencephalomyelopathy variant to their offspring.
- Dogs with N/LEMP genotype will not have leukoencephalomyelopathy, but are carriers. They will transmit this LEMP variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two carriers are predicted to produce 25% leukoencephalomyelopathy-affected puppies.
- Dogs with LEMP/LEMP genotype will have leukoencephalomyelopathy, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
Results of this test can be submitted to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
Rottweiler Health Panel
$130 per animal
Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system. LEMP is characterized by a generalized, progressive loss of balance with increasing immobility. Signs of LEMP often appear prior to 1 year of age, typically presenting as gait abnormalities including dragging of paws and knuckling. The disease is progressive, moving from front to back limbs but is not associated with pain.
LEMP in Rottweiler dogs results from an insertion of one base in the NAPEPLD gene (c.345_346insC), reported here as LEMP. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, which means that males and females are equally affected and that two copies of the defective gene are needed to cause LEMP. Dogs with one normal and one affected gene (carriers) are normal and show no signs of the disease. This variant is also present in Great Danes, therefore testing for this breed is advisable.
Testing for the mutation associated with LEMP in Rottweiler and Great Dane breeds assists clinicians with diagnosis of LEMP and helps breeders identify carriers among breeding stock to avoid producing affected dogs. Matings between carriers are expected to produce 25% of affected puppies.