Triglyceride response following an oral fat tolerance test in Burmese cats, other pedigree cats and domestic crossbred cats

Primary lipid disorders causing fasting triglyceridaemia have been documented infrequently in Burmese cats. Due to the known increased risk of diabetes mellitus and sporadic reports of lipid aqueous in this breed, the aim of this study was to determine whether healthy Burmese cats displayed a more pronounced pre- or post-prandial triglyceridaemia compared to other cats. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations were determined at baseline and variably at 2, 4 and 6h after ingestion of a high-fat meal (ie, an oral fat tolerance test) in a representative sample of Burmese and non-Burmese cats. The median 4 and 6h serum TG concentrations were significantly higher in Burmese cats (4h - 2.8mmol/l; 6h - 8.2mmol/l) than in other pedigree and domestic crossbred cats (4h - 1.5mmol/l; 6h - 1.0mmol/l). The non-Burmese group had post-prandial TG concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 3.9mmol/l. Seven Burmese cats had post-prandial TG concentrations between 6.6 and 19.0mmol/l, five had concentrations between 4.2 and 4.7mmol/l, while the remaining 15 had post-prandial concentrations between 0.5 and 2.8mmol/l. None of these Burmese cats had fasting triglyceridaemia. Most Burmese cats with a 4 h TG > 6.0 mmol/l had elevated fasting very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations. This study demonstrates that a proportion of Burmese cats in Australia have delayed TG clearance compared to other cats. The potential repercussions of this observation with reference to lipid aqueous, pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus in Burmese cats are discussed.     

Over representation of Burmese cats with diabetes mellitus

Objective To determine if Burmese cats in Queensland have an increased risk of diabetes mellitus.
Design A retrospective study of diabetic and nondiabetic cats that had blood submitted to a veterinary clinical laboratory over a 22 month study period.
Sample population 4402 cats
Procedure Cats were considered diabetic if blood glucose concentration was > 11 mmol/L and fructosamine was > 406 μmol/L or hydroxybutyrate was >1 mmol/L. Cats were grouped into Burmese and non-Burmese. Adjusted odds ratios of diabetes were calculated for breed, gender and age group amongst cats with blood glucose > 11 mmol/L.
Results Burmese cats comprised 20% of 45 diabetic cats of known breed, which was higher (P < 0.001) than among the normoglycemic reference population of 2203 cats (7% Burmese). There were more females among the diabetic Burmese (62%), but this did not differ (P > 0.05) from the Burmese reference population (45% females). In contrast, males seemed to predominate among diabetic non-Burmese (63%), although this also did not differ (P > 0.05) from the reference population (55%) or from diabetic Burmese (38% males). The majority (90%) of diabetic cats were older than 6 years, irrespective of breed (median age 12 years, interquartile range 10 to 13 years). This was higher (χ²= 8.13, P < 0.005) than among the normoglycaemic reference population, where 69% were older than 6 years.
Conclusions Burmese cats were significantly over represented among cats with diabetes mellitus. Irrespective of breed, the risk of diabetes in the study population increased with age.     

Pedigree analysis of Czech Holstein calves with schistosoma reflexum

Background

Schistosoma reflexum (SR) is congenital syndrome briefly characterized by visceral eventration, severe dorsoflexion and ankylosis of the spine and arthrogryposis. A genetic etiology has been proposed, but conclusive evidence has not yet been provided.

Methods

Pedigree analysis was carried out in 29 cases of SR in Czech Holsteins and Holstein crosses. Genetic relationship was evaluated and inbreeding coefficients calculated. Pedigrees of 15 Czech Holsteins fathering non-SR affected calves were used for comparison.

Results

Twenty-one cases occurred in one pedigree founded by three sires while three SR calves occurred in another pedigree with a common grandfather. The sex ratio between affected males and females was 11:6. Affected calves shared common ancestors different from those shared by the unaffected calves. The inbreeding coefficient in the SR affected calves was not increased compared to unaffected calves.

Conclusions

The findings are consistent with SR being inherited autosomal recessively. Further studies are however needed to confirm this and therefore a breeding trial is recommended where a suspected heterozygous sire is mated to closely related females.     

Pedigree analysis of Abyssinian cats with familial amyloidosis

Pedigrees of 62 Abyssinian cats with familial amyloidosis were compared with those of 100 Abyssinian cats registered with the Cat Fanciers Association. The inbreeding coefficients of the 2 samples of cats were not significantly different. Analysis of the pedigrees with respect to specific ancestors, however, showed that certain cats were significantly more common in the pedigrees of affected cats than in those of cats in the randomly selected sample. These data support a genetic basis for this disease, but do not allow determination of the mode of inheritance.     

Frequency of feline diabetes mellitus and breed predisposition in domestic cats in Australia

The frequency of diabetes mellitus is described for cats that received veterinary care from two large feline-only clinics in Brisbane, Australia. Frequency was estimated using period prevalences (the proportion of the population at risk that was affected by diabetes at any point during a specified time period). Of the 12,576 study cats, 93 were affected with diabetes during the 5-year study period, resulting in a 5-year period prevalence of 7.4 per 1000 cats. Period prevalence was significantly higher in Burmese cats (22.4 cats per 1000) than domestic short and longhaired cats (7.6 cats per 1000) and the mean age at first diagnosis during the study period was significantly higher amongst Burmese cats (13.6 years) compared to domestic short and longhaired cats (10.9 years). Further investigations into the apparent predisposition of Burmese cats to diabetes mellitus are indicated.     

The relationship between homozygosity and the occurrence of specific diseases in Bouvier Belge des Flandres dogs in the Netherlands

Summary

Since purebred dog populations represent closed gene pools, a relatively high level of consanguinity between individuals, and hence of inbreeding, is common. This case control study was conducted to establish the possible connection between the actual level of homozygosity due to inbreeding and specific diseases (flea allergy, osteochondrosis, laryngeal paralysis, neoplasm, autoimmune disease, hypoplastic trachea, and food allergy) occurring in the Bouvier Belge des Flandres breed.

One hundred and sixty‐eight animals referred to the Utrecht University Clinic formed the patient group. Each of the seven diseases was chosen because of the demonstrability of the diagnosis. Each animal was chosen because one of the selected diseases was established in that individual, and because its pedigree was complete. All dogs of the patient group were born between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1985. A control group (n=123) was randomly chosen from the total population of registered Bouviers born in the Netherlands in the same period Pedigree data were obtained from the Dutch Kennel Club. The extent of inbreeding was determined for all animals using Wright's inbreeding coefficient. The distribution of inbreeding coefficients in each patient group was compared with the distribution in controls.

Inbreeding coefficients in the control group ranged from 0.0 to 0.406. Animals in which osteochondrosis, food allergy, autoimmune disease, neoplasm, or hypoplastic trachea was diagnosed had higher inbreeding coefficients than controls. It was concluded that in the Bouvier Belge des Flandres dog population examined, the level of homozygosity was positively correlated with occurrence of these diseases.     

Primary glaucoma in Burmese cats

OBJECTIVE: To document the clinical signs and management of primary glaucoma in Burmese cats. DESIGN: A retrospective study of six affected Burmese cats, from 1996 to 2001. Procedure Six Burmese cats diagnosed with primary glaucoma were managed over periods varying from 3 months to 4.5 years. Clinical details were obtained from practice records. Gonioscopic examination of the drainage or iridocorneal angle in eyes of these affected cats was made. RESULTS: Six desexed female Burmese cats (ages 7.0 to 10.5 years) presented with complaints of either unilateral (n = 4) or bilateral (n = 2) red eye, dilated pupil or enlarged eye. In one of the affected cats, one eye had been enucleated prior to the commencement of the study, thus a total of 11 eyes were examined. Clinically, all affected eyes (n = 8) had injected episcleral blood vessels and elevated intraocular pressure. Gonioscopy revealed the presence of nine narrow and two closed iridocorneal angles. Medical therapy included topical 2% dorzolamide (n = 8), 0.5% timolol maleate (n = 1), 0.005% latanoprost (n = 1) and 0.5-1.0% prednisolone acetate (n = 8). Surgery was performed in six eyes using either diode laser (n = 5) and/or cryothermy (n = 2) and one eye was eviscerated, with implantation of a prosthesis. With therapy, five affected eyes maintained vision and normal intraocular pressure, one eye remained blind with normal intraocular pressure, one eye remained blind with elevated intraocular pressure and one eye was eviscerated. CONCLUSIONS: The Burmese cat may be predisposed to primary narrow-angle glaucoma. Early diagnosis and continuous antiglaucoma therapy can help control intraocular pressure and maintain vision.     

Potential predictive biomarkers of obesity in Burmese cats

Australian Burmese cats are predisposed to diabetes mellitus and, compared to other breeds, have delayed triglyceride clearance that may result in subtle changes within cells and tissues that trigger specific alterations in gene expression within peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). Expression of genes involved in energy metabolism (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase), lipogenesis (ATP citrate lyase [ACL], fatty acid synthase [FAS] and sterol regulatory binding protein-1c [SREBP-1c]), and insulin signalling (insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2, and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase), as well as cholesterol lipoprotein subfraction profiling were carried out on PBLs from lean Burmese cats and compared with similar profiles of age and gender matched lean and obese Australian domestic shorthaired cats (DSHs) in an attempt to identify possible biomarkers for assessing obesity.For the majority of the genes examined, the lean Burmese cats demonstrated similar PBL gene expression patterns as age and gender matched obese Australian DSH cats. Lean Burmese had increased expression of ACL and FAS, but not SREBP-1c, a main upstream regulator of lipid synthesis, suggesting possible aberrations in lipogenesis. Moreover, lean Burmese displayed a 3- to 4-fold increase in the very low density cholesterol fraction percentage, which was double that for obese DSH cats, indicating an increased degree of lipid dysregulation especially in relation to triglycerides. The findings suggest that Burmese cats may have a particular propensity for dysregulation in lipid metabolism.     

Feline diabetes mellitus in the UK: the prevalence within an insured cat population and a questionnaire-based putative risk factor analysis

Prevalence and risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in cats in the United Kingdom have not previously been reported. The prevalence of DM was evaluated in a large insured population and was found to be 1 in 230 cats. In this insured cat population Burmese cats were 3.7 times more likely to develop DM than non-pedigree cats. A convenience-sampling questionnaire-based study was used in order to identify putative risk factors for the development of DM. The univariate risk factor analysis identified being male, neutered, inactive, weighing >or=5 kg and having a history of corticosteroid treatment as significant risk factors for the development of DM in these cats. In addition, male cats treated with megestrol acetate had a significantly increased risk of developing DM compared to females. In contrast, there was no difference in DM occurrence between male and female Burmese cats. A multivariate classification tree-based model on the questionnaire data looking for interactions between risk factors, identified gender as the most important overall risk factor for the development of DM with low physical activity being the next most important risk factor for female cats and breed the next most important for male cats.     

Pedigree analysis and inbreeding depression on growth traits in Brazilian Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds

The study of population structure by pedigree analysis is useful to identify important circumstances that affect the genetic history of populations. The intensive use of a small number of superior individuals may reduce the genetic diversity of populations. This situation is very common for the beef cattle breeds. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to analyze the pedigree and possible inbreeding depression on traits of economic interest in the Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds and to test the inclusion of the individual inbreeding coefficient (F(i)) or individual increases in inbreeding coefficient (ΔF(i)) in the genetic evaluation model for the quantification of inbreeding depression. The complete pedigree file of the Marchigiana breed included 29,411 animals born between 1950 and 2003. For the Bonsmara breed, the pedigree file included 18,695 animals born between 1988 and 2006. Only animals with at least 2 equivalent generations of known pedigree were kept in the analyses of inbreeding effect on birth weight, weaning weight measured at about 205 d, and BW at 14 mo in the Marchigiana breed, and on birth weight, weaning weight, and scrotal circumference measured at 12 mo in the Bonsmara breed. The degree of pedigree knowledge was greater for Marchigiana than for Bonsmara animals. The average generation interval was 7.02 and 3.19 for the Marchigiana and Bonsmara breed, respectively. The average inbreeding coefficient was 1.33% for Marchigiana and 0.26% for Bonsmara. The number of ancestors explaining 50% of the gene pool and effective population size computed via individual increase in coancestry were 13 and 97.79 for Marchigiana and 41 and 54.57 for Bonsmara, respectively. These estimates indicate reduction in genetic variability in both breeds. Inbreeding depression was observed for most of the growth traits. The model including ΔF(i) can be considered more adequate to quantify inbreeding depression. The inclusion of F(i) or ΔF(i) in the genetic evaluation model may not result in better fit to the data. A genetic evaluation with simultaneous estimation of inbreeding depression can be performed in Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds, providing additional information to producers and breeders.     

Trends in inbreeding in Dutch Black and White dairy cattle

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to estimate trends in inbreeding in Dutch Black and White dairy cattle. A pedigree file for 4 280 588 cattle born after 1965 was used. In the early 1970s, Holstein-Friesian was introduced, gradually replacing Dutch Friesian. Analyses were performed for all Dutch Black and White and original Dutch Friesian separately. Because of incompleteness of pedigrees, a reduced data set was created with only records for animals with complete pedigrees to 1975. Using the complete pedigree data set, from 1985 to 1990, the annual rate of inbreeding was 0.2 and 0.1 % in Dutch Friesian and Dutch Black and White, respectively. Trends for bulls and cows did not differ. Inclusion of incomplete pedigrees decreased absolute levels of inbreeding. Holstein-Friesian introgression temporarily decreased the number of inbred animals and the average inbreeding coefficient of inbred animals. In analysis of trends in inbreeding, the year of birth is confounded with the number of ancestral generations. Therefore, estimation of trends in inbreeding should be based on years in which animals born have sufficient (≥ 7) ancestral generations. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Inzuchtentwicklung in holl?ndischen schwarzbunten Rindern Die Untersuchung betrifft die Sch?tzung von Inzuchttrends in holl?ndischen schwarzbunten Rindern, wofür die Abstammungen von 4.280.588 nach 1965 geborenen Rindern verwendet worden sind. Anfangs der 70iger Jahre wurden Holstein-Friesen importiert, die die holl?ndische Friesen zunehmend verdr?ngten. Die Analyse wurde an alien holl?ndischen schwarzbunten und ursprünglichen holl?ndischen Friesen getrennt durchgeführt. Wegen der Unvollst?ndigkeit von Abstammungen wurde ein reduziertes Material aus Abstammungen von Tieren mit vollst?ndigen Pedigrees bis 1975 geschaffen. Unter Verwendung des vollst?ndigen Abstammungsmaterials ergab sich der Inzuchtzuwachs zwischen 1985 und 1990 als j?hrlich 0,2 bzw. 0,1 % in holl?ndischen Friesen und holl?ndischen Schwarzbunten, wobei der Trend für Bullen und Kühe sich noch nicht unterschied. Berücksichtigung unvollst?ndiger Abstammungsaufzeichnungen verminderte den Inzuchtgrad. Die Holstein-Friesen-Introgression verminderte vorübergehend die Zahl ingezüchteter Tiere und den durchschnittlichen Inzuchtkoeffizienten. In der Analyse von Inzuchtverlauf ist das Geburtsjahr mit der Zahl von Ahnengenerationen vermischt. Daher sollte die Sch?tzung des Inzuchtverlaufs sich auf Jahre begrenzen, in denen Tiere ausreichend (= 7) vor von Generationen aufweisen k?nnen.     

Pedigree structure and genetic variation in the two endangered Norwegian horse breeds: D⊘le and Nordland/Lyngen

Abstract

To examine the genetic variation in two endangered Norwegian horse breeds, the pedigree structures were investigated, and key parameters such as inbreeding coefficients, effective population size, effective number of founders, effective number of ancestors and effective number of founder genomes were calculated. The data consisted of 31,142 individuals of the D?le horse and 1973 individuals of the Nordland/Lyngen horse, for which the complete generation equivalent was 10.5 and 7.2, respectively. In both breeds, the pedigree data were more than 98.5% complete in the fourth generation, allowing the rate of inbreeding and the effective population size to be precisely estimated, actually measuring the fractional loss of heterozygosity, comparable across generations (not so for the other measures). The level of inbreeding was about 12% in both breeds, with a rather wavy pattern during the past 50 years in the D?le. Considering the last generations only, the effective population size was found to be 152 in the D?le and 42 in the Nordland/Lyngen. For both populations selection in the future should be based on optimal contribution.     

Measuring inbreeding and inbreeding depression on pig growth from pedigree or SNP‐derived metrics

Multilocus homozygosity, measured as the proportion of the autosomal genome in homozygous genotypes or in runs of homozygosity, was compared with the respective pedigree inbreeding coefficients in 64 Iberian pigs genotyped using the Porcine SNP60 Beadchip. Pigs were sampled from a set of experimental animals with a large inbreeding variation born in a closed strain with a completely recorded multi‐generation genealogy. Individual inbreeding coefficients calculated from pedigree were strongly correlated with the different SNP‐derived metrics of homozygosity (r = 0.814–0.919). However, unequal correlations between molecular and pedigree inbreeding were observed at chromosomal level being mainly dependent on the number of SNPs and on the correlation between heterozygosities measured across different loci. A panel of 192 SNPs of intermediate frequencies was selected for genotyping 322 piglets to test inbreeding depression on postweaning growth performance (daily gain and weight at 90 days). The negative effects on these traits of homozygosities calculated from the genotypes of 168 quality‐checked SNPs were similar to those of inbreeding coefficients. The results support that few hundreds of SNPs may be useful for measuring inbreeding and inbreeding depression, when the population structure or the mating system causes a large variance of inbreeding.     

Determining the age of cats by pulp cavity/tooth width ratio using dental radiography

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on the ratio of pulp cavity/tooth width (P/T ratio) in healthy cats. The dental radiographs of 32 cats (16 males and 16 females) were generated with a digital dental X-ray unit with the animals under general anesthesia. Standardized measurement of the canine teeth was performed by drawing a line on the radiograph perpendicular to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the tooth. There was an inversely proportional correlation between chronological age and the P/T ratio. Moreover, a strong Pearson squared correlation (γ² = 0.92) was identified by the curved regression model. No significant differences in the P/T ratio based on gender or breed were found. These results suggest that determination of age by P/T ratio could be clinically useful for estimating the chronological age of cats.     

Protective activity against oocyst shedding in cats vaccinated with crude rhoptry proteins of the Toxoplasma gondii by the intranasal route

This study evaluated a vaccine made from crude rhoptry proteins of Toxoplasma gondii with Quil-A, which was administered to cats by the intranasal route. Eleven short-hair domestic cats were divided into four groups: G1 (n=3) received three doses (200 microg/dose) of the rhoptry vaccine with Quil-A (20 microg); G2 (n=3) received PBS with Quil-A (20 microg); G3 (n=3) and G4 (n=2) received only PBS. Treatments were administered at days 0, 21, and 42 by the intranasal route. Challenge was done to G1, G2, and G3 animals with 600 cysts of the VEG strain on day 51 (challenge day); G4 animals were unchallenged. The anti-T. gondii IgG and IgA antibody levels from sera were measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At challenge, two animals from G1 revealed antibody levels for both IgG and IgA; oocysts were not detected in feces of these two cats. There were no differences in hematological values between groups throughout the experiment (p>0.10). Preventable fractions were 67% in G1 and 0% in G2 and G3. Comparatively, G1 animals shed 89.3% and 90.8% less oocysts than G3 and G4, respectively. Two out of three cats were protected against T. gondii oocyst shedding when the rhoptry vaccine was administered by the intranasal route. This is the first study using crude rhoptry proteins as vaccine by the intranasal route in cats to evaluate protection against oocysts shedding.     

Variance of actual inbreeding derived from the number and variance of chromosome segment

The inbreeding coefficient (F) is used as a central parameter inferring a proportion of alleles identical by descent within an individual and by genetic variability within a population. The actual inbreeding coefficient varies around a central value, the inbreeding coefficient. C ockerham and W eir (1983) derived the method for computing the variance of inbreeding while reviewing several other methods. The variance of inbreeding in their report was considered to be of two components: one within population and the other between population of varied pedigrees. If pedigree is fixed, F is easily computed for an individual by the standard method (F alconer 1989). For domestic animals, pedigree information is usually available because it is requisite for a programme of genetic improvement. In this study, the variance of inbreeding coefficient was derived for an individual with a pedigree having a single path to a foundation animal.     

Bull Selection across Age Classes and Variable Female Reproductive Rates in an Open Nucleus Breeding Scheme for Dairy Cattle

Different bull selection strategies and female reproductive rates were simulated under various selection intensities and mating strategies in a nucleus with testing capacity of 80 cows. In all schemes, donor cows were selected after first lactation and bulls were progeny tested. In some schemes, non-progeny tested nucleus bulls could be selected. The nucleus was open on the male side but closed on the female side after nucleus born cows were available. Pedigrees of animals born outside the nucleus were sampled from the Finnish Ayrshire population. Female reproduction rate was either constant or variable. Schemes were compared according to genetic response, and risks measured by rate of inbreeding and coefficient of variation in genetic response between simulation years 5 and 20. Inclusion of one- or three-year-old bulls increased genetic response by 9% and rate of inbreeding up to 81%. Variation in female reproductive rate reduced genetic response by at most 8%. Increase in risks was averted by limiting the number of female full-sibs. Schemes with low selection intensity and factorial mating provided the best results.     

Seroprevalence study of feline coronavirus in owned and feral cats in Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVES: i) To establish the seroprevalence of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) infection in two defined groups of cats in Sydney: owned and feral cats; ii) to identify factors associated with an increased risk of infection with FCoV; and iii) to establish the seroprevalence and FCoV antibody titres of owned cats with immunohistochemically confirmed feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). DESIGN: Prospective multi-institutional cross sectional study. Procedure Serum samples from owned cats presented to three inner city veterinary clinics in Sydney and feral cats from a colony in South Western Sydney over an 11-month period were tested for FCoV antibodies using the Immunocomb test kit. The relationship between serological score and six major factors (breed, age, gender, number of cats per household, living environment and health status) in the owned cat sample population was analysed and compared to cats with FIR RESULTS: The seroprevalence of FCoV infection in the sample population of owned and feral cats was 34% and 0%, respectively. The median Immunocomb scores of DSH, Persian, Siamese and Devon Rex cats were significantly lower than that of Burmese, BSH, Abyssinian, Birman, Ragdoll and Russian Blue. The median lmmunocomb score of pedigree cats less than 2 years-of-age was significantly higher than for pedigree cats greater than 2 years-of-age. This distinction was not evident in DSH cats in these age groups. The number of cats per household at the time of blood collection had a strong positive association with Immunocomb score. The median Immunocomb score of cats with immunohistochemically confirmed FIP was significantly higher than cats in the sample population of owned cats but there was sufficient overlap between these two groups to make definitive diagnosis of FIP by serology impossible. CONCLUSION: This represents the first seroprevalence study of FCoV in Australia. The major determinants of antibody score of owned cats identified in this study were breed, age and the number of cats per household. The significant relationship between the breed of the cat and the FCoV antibody titre further supports the notion, proposed previously by the authors, that breed related differences exist in the immunological response to FCoV infection.     

Reproductive patterns of pedigree cats

A survey of Brisbane catteries was carried out to investigate reproductive patterns of pedigree cats. Eighteen breeders supplied data on 751 litters with a total of 3171 kittens covering the Persian, Chinchilla, Siamese, Burmese and Abyssinian breeds. The overall sex ratio at birth was 100 males to 92 females. There was a significant seasonal effect on sex ratio with litters conceived during the wet season (September to February) producing more males than expected and litters conceived during the dry season producing more females than expected. Litter size and breed had no significant effect on the sex ratio. The average litter size varied with the breed with the most prolific being the Burmese (5.0) then the Siamese (4.5), Persian (3.9), Abyssinian (3.5) and Chinchilla (2.8). The average litter size was smaller for the first litter than for the subsequent 3 litters. The maximum average litter size was reached at 6 years with only a moderate decline thereafter. There was a seasonal fluctuation in births with the greatest numbers being born in spring and the least in late autumn. Longhair cats showed a more marked seasonal distribution of births than the shorthairs which reproduced for most of the year, particularly the Burmese breed.     

Characteristics of pedigree cat breeding in the Netherlands: breeds, population increase and litter size

A survey of the Dutch Cat Fancy was carried out to determine reproductive, patterns of pedigree cats. The data of the present study were obtained by questioning the pedigree registers of the cat clubs participating in the foundation 'Overleg Platform van de Nederlandse Cat Fancy'. The Dutch Cat Fancy registers 34 different cat breeds. From 1992 up to 1996 a total of 25.985 litters were registered. Over this period the number of litters increased from 4989 to 5313. Litters from Longhair and Exotic Shorthair cats comprised the biggest group and accounted for 55% of the total number of litters. However, over this period, the number of Longhair and Exotic Shorthair litters decreased by 9%. Litters from British Shorthair, Birman, Maine Coon and Norwegian Forrest Cat increased in number as did litters from small breeds such as Ragdoll, Bengal and Sphynx. Litters from Abyssinian, Siamese, Oriental Shorthair cats remained relatively the same. The average litter size of the total cat population, based on pedigree certificates, was calculated at 3.3 kittens per litter. For different breeds litter size varied from 2.7 (Longhair and Exotic Shorthair) to 4.3 (Burmese and Maine Coon). Taking into account an average age of 14 years, the total Dutch pedigree cat population was estimated at 240,000 viz. about 10% of the total cat population.