Investigation of Ivermectin Susceptibility in Kangal and Akbaş Dogs via MDR1 Gene Mutation

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the sensitivity to the drug (ivermectin) in Kangal and Akbaş breed dogs, which are dog breeds native to Turkey, via the MDR1 gene mutation. For the research, blood, hair and intraoral swap samples were taken from 30 Kangal and 20 Akbaş breed dogs (male-female mixed, adult) with ethical permission and approval forms. Kangal dog samples were taken from the dogs bred in the farms in Sivas center and Kangal village, and Akbaş dog samples were taken from the dogs bred in the farms in the Sivrihisar center, Ankara and Eskişehir regions. The samples taken were evaluated based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the wool and subsequent two-way dideoxy chain termination reaction in the presence of 4 base farm deletions (c.296-299delAGAT) in the 4th exon of the ABCB1 gene that encodes the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) drug transporter protein. According to the obtained DNA sequence results, the deletion of “AGAT” was not determined in any of the individuals screened. The results of this study, which is preliminary research, showed that Kangal and Akbaş breed dogs are safe in terms of sensitivity to drugs that are set to be absorbed and excreted by the P-gp pump, especially ivermectin. However, it would be useful to repeat the analysis of both breeds with more examples.