PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G M Acland

Publications and source records attributed to G M Acland.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Plasma lipid abnormalities in the miniature poodle with progressive rod-cone degeneration.

The miniature poodle with progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd) is a model for human retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Since previous studies from several laboratories have shown abnormalities in plasma lipids in human RP, we examined the plasma lipids of prcd-affected animals. Fasting blood was drawn on three separate occasions from affected and control miniature poodles and on one occasion from normal Irish setters and those affected with a different inherited retinal degeneration (rod-cone dysplasia). Plasma phospholipids from prcd-affected animals had significantly lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3) and cholesterol, compared to control miniature poodles. No differences were observed in plasma levels of phospholipids, vitamin E, or vitamin A, and no lipid differences were found between control and affected Irish setters. The ratios of 22:5 omega 3 to 22:6 omega 3 and of 22:4 omega 6 to 22:5 omega 6 were significantly elevated in prcd-affected poodles compared to controls. Since the conversion of 22:5 omega 3 to 22:6 omega 3 and of 22:4 omega 6 to 22:5 omega 6 is catalysed by a delta 4-desaturase, these results are consistent with a defect in desaturase activity in the prcd-affected poodle.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Segregation distortion in inheritance of progressive rod cone degeneration (prcd) in miniature poodle dogs.

Segregation distortion was observed in inheritance of progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd) in a colony of Miniature Poodle dogs. Breeding results, from both retrospective records and prospectively planned matings, were classified into five mating types: (1) affected to affected, (2) homozygous normal sire to any dam, (3) heterozygous to heterozygous, (4) heterozygous sire to affected dam, and (5) affected sire to heterozygous dam. For all but the last category, results were in accord with mendelian expectations for autosomal-recessive inheritance. However, litters of mating type 5 had fewer affected pups (20/77) than expected. The observed segregation ratio for this mating type (0.26) was significantly (P less than 0.001) less than the expected (0.50). The segregation distortion could not be accounted for by either pre- or postnatal loss of affected pups, as litter size and litter survivability were uniform among litters of different mating types. Either the prcd locus, or a linked locus, would appear to influence either gametic or zygotic fitness in the heterozygous mother. Comparison is drawn to the inheritance of retinitis pigmentosa in humans, in which decreased segregation ratios are also recognized.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Retinal cyclic GMP and AMP in rod-cone dysplasia: comparison of assays in fixed and unfixed retinal tissues.

The effects of 3 fixatives (formalin, Bouin's solution and glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde) on retinal cyclic AMP and GMP content were determined in canine eyes with a known abnormality of cyclic GMP metabolism. Cyclic nucleotides were measured by radioimmunoassay on perchloric acid (PCA)-precipitated retinal samples from fixed (left) and unfixed (right) eyes from nine 6-week-old rod-cone-dysplasia-affected Irish setter dogs. Cyclic AMP values were significantly lower for fixed retinas than for unfixed controls. Retinal cyclic GMP values were also lower from glutaraldehyde-paraformaldehyde-fixed samples, but were not different from control values for formalin- or Bouin's-fixed eyes, when the retina was PCA-precipitated promptly after fixation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Non-allelism of three genes (rcd1, rcd2 and erd) for early-onset hereditary retinal degeneration.

Cross-breeding experiments were utilized to study the genetics of three autosomal recessive, early onset retinal degenerations in dogs. Irish setters affected with rod-cone dysplasia type 1 (rcd1) were bred to Norwegian elkhounds affected with early retinal degeneration (erd). All offspring (15 pups-two litters) surviving to diagnostic age were phenotypically normal, as assessed by electroretinography, retinal morphology and assay of retinal cyclic nucleotide content. One phenotypically normal female Irish setter-Norwegian elkhound crossbred dog (the progeny of the above breeding and thus heterozygous at both the rcd1 and the erd locus) was bred to a collie dog affected with rod-cone dysplasia type 2 (rcd2). All 11 pups from this breeding also proved phenotypically normal by the above methods. These results establish that the genes rcd1, rcd2 and erd are non-allelic. Biochemical data are also presented that establish that erd, unlike rcd1 and rcd2, is not associated with abnormal metabolism of retinal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP).

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1989

Fatty acid metabolism in normal miniature poodles and those affected with progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd).

It is possible that a genetic defect observed in the prcd poodle involves the abnormality of an enzyme which functions in phospholipid or lipoprotein metabolism. In our studies thus far, we have been unable to detect any defect in retinal phospholipid biosynthesis, but we have noted a decrease in plasma levels of 22:6w3 which may be a result of an enzyme defect in liver biosynthesis of 22:6w3 from its dietary precursor, linolenic acid, or some defect in the blood lipoprotein transport of this essential fatty acid. If 22:6w3 is essential to the normal elaboration and functioning of the photoreceptor outer segment, it is possible that decreased access to this fatty acid due to lower blood levels of 22:6w3 could cause photoreceptor abnormalities. Further studies are needed to confirm the possible defect in delta-4 desaturase activity and possible dietary modification of the course of this prcd retinal degeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Variation in retinal degeneration phenotype inherited at the prcd locus.

Progressive rod-cone degeneration (prcd) is a recessively inherited visual cell disease. Neither the genetic abnormality nor the corresponding biochemical defect have yet been identified. Unique abnormalities of visual cell structure, function and renewal, however, characterize the disease phenotype and act as a marker for the prcd gene. The disease was first described in miniature poodle dogs (MP) but broadly similar retinal degenerations have been recognized, clinically, in other breeds. Crossbreeding experiments with prcd-affected MP and retinal degenerate English (ECS) and American (ACS) cocker spaniels now demonstrate that all the progeny are affected with a retinal degeneration indistinguishable from prcd in the MP. This indicates that the gene mutation in each breed is at the same (prcd) locus. In purebred prcd-affected ECS (prcd-ECS), however, the disease phenotype consistently differs from that in prcd-MP in its rate of progression and in the topographical distribution of disease within the retina. Ultrastructural variation in disease expression are also recognizable between the two phenotypes. These differences in disease phenotype may be ascribable to different genetic backgrounds in the two breeds, reflecting the effect of modifying genes, or may indicate separate, allelic, mutations at the same locus.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Retinal degenerations in the dog: IV. Early retinal degeneration (erd) in Norwegian elkhounds.

A new early onset hereditary retinal degeneration is characterized in Norwegian elkhound dogs. This disease, termed early retinal degeneration (erd), was studied in 10 affected dogs, from 30 days- to 7 years old, clinically, by electroretinography, and by light- and electron-microscopic morphology. Control studies were performed on 49 non-affected dogs. Affected dogs are initially nightblind, and become totally blind between 12- and 18 months of age. The postnatal development of their rod and cone photoreceptors is abnormal both structurally and functionally. Morphologically, rod and cone inner- and outer-segment growth occurs but appears uncoordinated. Adjacent rods become very disparate in the size and proportions of their inner- and outer segments. Prominent villiform processes extend from the inner segments of rods and, to a lesser extent, cones. Synaptic terminals of rods and cones fail to develop properly. The b-wave of the electroretinogram fails to develop and the electroretinogram (ERG) remains a-wave-dominated. Subsequent to these abnormalities of development, the rods and cones degenerate, rapidly at first and later more gradually. In normal dogs, development of the ERG a- and b-waves is shown to follow, respectively, morphologic development of the photoreceptor outer segments and synaptic terminals. Similarly the abnormal development and subsequent degeneration of photoreceptor outer segments and synaptic terminals in affected dogs, correspond in time course to development and degeneration of the ERG a- and b-waves.

Aging↗