FERRET-SEARCH@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
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Mon, 18 Oct 2004 11:15:35 -0400 |
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Darrin writes
>As near as I have been able to ascertain ? the genes for "most causes
>of deafness" are recessive, and only brought out in crossbreeding
>parents with the recessive gene, thus increasing the likelihood of the
>recessive becoming the only gene pair, and therefore dominant.
Actually Waardensburg is known to be dominant, and I believe others
such as KIT are too. The problem is the variable expression of these
genes--it has the effect of hiding the defect in some individuals.
Another slight correction: having a pair of recessive genes does not
make it "dominant", it simply becomes expressed.
Darrin also writes
>However, my point was, ( and this is much easier with ferrets then some
>other animals, as they have a lot of kits per litter and statistics are
>easier per large litters). If ANY of the subsequent kits are deaf..
>then NONE of the others from that litter should be bred as they are all
>now (or mostly) now obviously carriers.
and
>As soon as there is any incidence of deafness, the entire bloodline
>should be shut down.
But your point is absolutely correct and well stated!
Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 4670]
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