Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Straße 108, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Vet J. 2013 Apr;196(1):64-70. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.015. Epub 2012 Aug 21.
The aim of this study was to identify skeletal variations in the lumbosacral junction (LSJ) of the German shepherd dog (GSD) compared with other large breeds. The radiographic traits of the LSJ were investigated in a group of 733 GSDs and a control group of 334 dogs of other breeds that were matched in terms of size. Nine morphological and 17 morphometric traits were recorded and analysed. Furthermore, the possibility of a genetic basis for these radiographic features was evaluated by calculation of genetic variance components. Five of the morphological and 14 of the morphometric traits varied significantly between the GSD group and the control group (P<0.05). Osteochondrosis of the sacral endplate (SOC) had a higher prevalence in the GSDs (10.1%) compared with controls (5.7%). The majority of LSJ degenerative changes recorded from the radiographs occurred in the GSDs. The extent and relative proportion of lumbosacral step formations were greater in the GSD group compared with controls (P<0.001). The lumbosacral vertebral canal height was reduced in the GSD compared with the control dogs (P<0.001) suggesting a primary stenosis. This was accentuated by an abrupt tapering of the vertebral canal at the level of the LSJ indicated by a lumbosacral ratio of 1.51 in the GSD. The skeletal morphology and morphometry of the LSJ in the GSD seem to be different from that found in other large dogs. For multiple traits frequently observed in GSD such as SOC, step formations, and LSJ stenosis, moderate to high non-zero heritabilities were noted. As these features are also assumed to promote lumbosacral disease, selection against these traits is suggested.
本研究旨在比较德国牧羊犬（GSD）与其他大型犬种在腰骶关节（LSJ）的骨骼差异。在一组 733 只 GSD 和一组 334 只体型匹配的其他犬种对照组中，研究了 LSJ 的放射学特征。记录并分析了 9 个形态学和 17 个形态计量学特征。此外，通过计算遗传方差分量来评估这些放射学特征是否具有遗传基础。在 GSD 组和对照组之间，有 5 个形态学特征和 14 个形态计量学特征存在显著差异（P<0.05）。与对照组（5.7%）相比，GSD 中出现骶骨终板骨软骨病（SOC）的比例更高（10.1%）。从 X 光片中记录到的大多数 LSJ 退行性变化都发生在 GSD 中。与对照组相比，GSD 组的 LSJ 台阶形成程度和相对比例更大（P<0.001）。与对照组相比，GSD 的腰椎管高度降低（P<0.001），提示存在原发性狭窄。这在 GSD 中 LSJ 水平的椎管突然变窄，即腰骶比为 1.51 时更为明显。GSD 的 LSJ 骨骼形态和形态计量学似乎与其他大型犬不同。对于 SOC、台阶形成和 LSJ 狭窄等在 GSD 中经常观察到的多种特征，发现具有中度到高度的非零遗传力。由于这些特征也被认为会促进腰骶疾病，因此建议选择不具有这些特征的犬种。
