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Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency is a disease of the immune system found in
Irish Setters. The gene responsible, ß-2 integrin, has now been identified and
a DNA test devised. The disease shows an autosomal recessive mode of
inheritance; therefore. two copies of the defective gene, one inherited from
each parent, have to be present for a dog to be affected by the disease.
Individuals with one copy of the defective gene and one copy of the normal gene
- called carriers - show no symptoms but can pass the defective gene onto their
offspring. When two apparently healthy carriers are crossed, 25% (on average)
of the offspring will be affected by the disease with a further 50% themselves
being carriers.
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