Feline Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Maine Coon cats   
   

	SMA-The mutation and inheritance
	SMA is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. So there are three conditions a cat can be: it can be clear or homozygous normal (genotype N/N) meaning that it does not carry the mutation and will not develop SMA. Since it also cannot pass the mutation onto its offspring, it can be mated to any other cat.    A cat which has one copy of the gene with the mutation and one copy without the mutation is called a carrier or heterozygous (genotype N/SMA); while it will not be affected by SMA, it can pass the mutation onto its offspring and should therefore only be mated to clear cats. Affected kitten have two gene copies with the mutation (genotype SMA/SMA or homozygous affected); they will always pass the mutated gene onto their offspring.

	SMA-The DNA test
	By DNA testing, the responsible mutation can be shown directly. This method provides a test with a very high accuracy and can be done at any age. It offers the possibility to distinguish not only between affected and clear cats, but also to identify clinically healthy carriers. This is an essential information for controlling the disease in the breed, as carriers are able to spread the disease in the population, but can not be identified by means of common laboratory diagnostic. To ensure maximum test reliability, the test is always performed in two independent test runs per sample.

   

	Requirements
	The test is performed out of EDTA whole blood (0.5 ml) or special cytobrushes. These cytobrushes are available upon request and free of charge. Testing is performed a few times per week. The results are due about 3-5 working days after arrival of the sample in our laboratory.     For further information please contact:   Dr. Petra Kühnlein or Dr. Ines Langbein-Detsch LABOKLIN GmbH u. Co.KG Steubenstraße 4 D-97688 Bad Kissingen Phone: +49-971-72020 Fax: +49-971-7202995 Email: labogen