Canine tooth absence in the white shepherd : hereditary transmission research

The CEPBS in collaboration with the veterinary service of the University “Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona”, proposed carry out the research on the white shepherd breed.

The fees of this research are free and it´ss aim is to determine about the genetic transmission of the canine tooth absence in our breed.
This research is involved in the LUPA proyect ((7FP EU http://www.eurolupa.org/), an European inititative that is  doing  research into complex genetic human disease, making use like a animal reference model the dog.

To achieve our aim, we need 30 affected dog samples, it means, dogs who lacks one or more thoot, and we need 30 normal dog samples, as well.
All the samples must be in the University before finnish this year, 2009
You can send the samples in anonymus way. To send them, they must be identify by  a veterinarian, in order that the samples are from a White shepherd, male or female and the absent tooth description.
If it it´s possible, we would like to know the size of the litter and If it´s  there are other relatives affected: brothers, and about their fathers and grandfathers thoot condition If they are affected.
If we are able to determine the gen transmision, it can be a really good new for our breed, and it will help all the breeders who wants to eliminate this defect.
We have the chance to do a big advance, but we need the help of the withe shepherd owners.
The sample documentation must be:

2 ml blood in  Edta, it must be cooled.
Veterinarian certificate with the sample identity and the absece tooth description
All togheter must be send to this adress:

Dra. Laura Altet
Servei Veterinari de Genètica Molecular
Facultat de Veterinària
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) (Spain)