Influence of homozygosity on genomic structural variation analyses for predicting ACL rupture risk in the Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler.

Increased homozygosity significantly raises ACL rupture risk in Rottweilers but not in Labrador Retrievers, highlighting breed-specific genetic influences.

• Why it matters: Understanding genetic factors underlying ACL rupture can improve risk prediction and inform breed-specific breeding strategies to reduce disease prevalence.
• What they did: The study analyzed 1,166 dogs using breed-specific genome assemblies, assessing structural variations and homozygosity measures through logistic regression models to identify associations with ACL rupture.
• The result: Findings show inbreeding correlates with higher ACL rupture risk in Rottweilers, emphasizing the need for breed-specific genetic models and larger validation studies to refine risk prediction tools.