Cornell cryptorchidism study update
In 2006, some of our guys (and gals) donated DNA samples to an ongoing study about cryptorchidism underway at Cornell University, J.A. Baker Institute for Animal Health. Checked in with them this week to see how things were going. (2006 posting link.)
What the researchers at Cornell are trying to do is find the genetic marker, or markers, which contribute to cryptorchidism. Progress is being made, but it’s painstaking work. They are looking for the individual gene(s) in the DNA, which triggers this condition: a literal search for the proverbial needle, or needles, in the haystack. Once the researchers find the genetic markers, the plan is to create a test to help identify carriers.
Think of genetics as the ultimate spelling bee, only in genetics, it’s call sequencing. Get the spelling/sequence wrong, and you get a mutation. A mutation, which could cause something as simple as red hair instead of brown, or something as complex as multiple sclerosis or liver disease. And in this case, determines whether a male puppy’s testicles descend or not.
You can also think of genes as on-off switches. Turn the gene on; you get the biological trait, if the gene stays off, no trait. But with some traits there is a dimmer switch. Turn on a few genes, and you may get a trait at low levels, turn on more genes, and the trait could be very strong.
Then you have the combination of the parent’s genes. Did one parent carry enough genes to turn the trait on? Or was it the combination of the two parents? Say a trait needs a number of ten to express itself. Did the sire bring four genes to the table, and the dam six for the magic number of ten?
These are very simple explanations that help us. There’s much, much more to genetics. So much, you can get dizzy thinking about it! 
According to Dr. Vicki Meyers-Wallen, studies show the majority of pups’ testicles descend by 14-weeks, and her literature says up to 25% come down by 6 months of age (all-breeds).
So even if your pup’s testicles haven’t descended by 14-weeks, there is still a chance they could show up. But you have to be willing to wait up to three to four more months, and the odds aren’t in your favor.
If you are interested in participating in this study, or taking a look at other studies in progress, visit the links below. Click on the names of the various faculty members to see what they are researching. Some are only accepting purebred breeds at this time. (Because it’s easier to do the research on breeds with a limited gene pool.) For the cryptorchidism study, it’s helpful, but not necessary, if the samples come from an afflicted line.
Inherited Canine Reproductive Diseases
Infectious Diseases and Immunology
Collecting a DNA sample from your dog is very simple. Just ask your vet to collect some blood in vials and freeze it. Then you take the sample, pack it up with some ice in a cooler, and ship it overnight to the researcher in charge. Be sure to have a contact person and alert them you are sending samples! For this particular study, the samples are assigned a number and the donor becomes anonymous.
Many universities have studies underway on all sorts of canine diseases. If there is a particular issue that interests you, do a search for the illness and a clinical study. Not only might you find more info to help your dogs, your dogs might be able to help others.
