Genetic variation in candidate genes of behaviour and associations with behaviour phenotypes in dogs

Abstract

Variants of SNPs and microsatellites in or closely linked to three candidate genes of behaviour, HTR2A, DAT and DRD2 were studied in three population of dogs with records of behaviour phenotypes. Most of the selected markers showed variation in the study populations and the markers are probably well suited for studies for similar studies in other populations. For most of the markers/phenotypes we were not able to show significant associations between markers and the behaviour phenotypes, but a few showed borderline significance. The study supports an association between HTR2A gene and play/search phenotypes in the mine detection dog population (OR=2,24, p=0,04) but the results has to be evaluated in the context of the number of markers studied/multiple testing and should be repeated in a bigger material. The study also supports that boldness in these dogs might be associated with variations in the DAT gene; In the NSDTR noise sensitivity was associated with a genetic marker closely linked to DAT. The study has confirmed that the use of dogs phenotyped for behaviour traits is well suited for the study of genetics of behaviour. Further research and investigations are required to reveal potential associations and clarify the relationship between phenotype and specific candidate genes.