Lumbosacral stenosis, a narrowing of the caudal lumbar or sacral vertebral canal, is a major cause of neurological issues in large dog breeds. For Labrador Retriever military working dogs, the condition poses a particular threat, often leading to early retirement due to pain, reduced mobility, and performance limitations. Clinical signs are often subtle or ambiguous, especially in stoic, high-drive working Labradors, making early diagnosis challenging.
In this Canine Genetics and Epidemiology study, Mukherjee and colleagues sequenced the exomes of eight young Labradors—four affected and four unaffected by lumbosacral stenosis, as confirmed by CT imaging. Across these genomes, they identified 252 exonic variants, including 17 non-disruptive mutations that may influence protein function. Notably, candidate genes included TTR (transthyretin), which has been linked to lumbar spinal stenosis in humans through protein amyloidosis. Additional genes such as SCN1B, RGS9BP, and ASXL3 emerged as potential contributors, though their exact roles in canine disease remain unclear.
Interestingly, none of the known human lumbar spinal stenosis candidate genes showed direct exonic variants in these dogs, highlighting possible species-specific mechanisms. Nonetheless, the overlap with human biomedical research suggests a comparative framework for future investigation.
The findings offer a first step toward developing genetic screening tools for lumbosacral stenosis in working Labradors. Such advancements could improve breeding decisions, enable earlier intervention, and ultimately help extend the service careers of dogs in demanding working roles.
Source: Mukherjee, M., Jones, J. C., & Yao, J. (2017). Lumbosacral stenosis in Labrador retriever military working dogs – an exomic exploratory study. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 4. Published October 23, 2017.
