Store
Already have an Orivet Account? Enter your information here
Myostatin Deficiency
Test Overview:
Often referred to as the “bully gene”. Myostatin is a growth factor responsible for controlling the development of muscle fibres. When the myostatin-producing gene is unable to function properly, excess muscling develops. Inheriting two copies of the mutation (one from each parent) results in a whippet with almost twice the amount of normal muscling. Although whippets with one copy of the mutation appear normal but may be more muscular than whippets not carrying the mutation, there is no real way to tell whether a whippet carries the gene just by its appearance. Double-muscled whippets exist in several unrelated lines in North America and Europe and, although this problem is now small, it appears to be growing.
Category:
Musculoskeletal - Associated with muscles, bones and associated structures
Gene:
Myostatin (MSTN) on Chromosome 37
Variant Detected:
Nucleotide Deletion c.939-940del p.Cys313STOP
Severity:
Low. This disease generally causes mild signs of disease, or can be quite easily treated/managed.
Mode of Inheritance:
Autosomal Recessive
Research Citation(s):
Mosher DS, et al. A mutation in the myostatin gene increases muscle mass and enhances racing performance in heterozygote dogs. (2007) PLoS Genet, 3(5);e79.
Associated Breed(s):
Greyhound , Whippet ,
