SPHYNX DNA RESEARCH
                                     LESLIE LYONS, PH.D.
 We were fortunate that Dr. Lyons was in attendance at our meeting in Reno. She has agreed to launch an entirely different leg of research of the Sphynx that would be completely free to breeders.
 
 First, she would like to know how many Sphynx breeders there really are worldwide and how many litters of kittens have been registered in the last few years in all associations. This is something we, as breeders, can tell Leslie.
 
 Many breeders believe that the hairlessness of the Sphynx could be related to various health issues, such as skin quality, dentition, and nails. Dr. Lyons has agreed as to the possibility, and is willing to investigate the relationship of these qualities, possibly with a questionnaire to be filled out by the breeder/person submitting the report, which would cover whether the cat was completely hairless, has a chamois coat, full coat, or other factors. Questions concerning skin quality such as degree of oils produced would be another factor, and so on. She suggested that buccal swabs could be sent in to her, along with a pedigree and other information on each cat that would be useful in setting up a database for study.

The CFA standard for the Sphynx cat is that it must have an “APPEARANCE of hairlessness.” However, for this research, it is necessary to categorize the hairlessness of each cat so that the hairless factor, as well as other circumstances and conditions of each cat, can be denoted. Our form not only allows the breeder to categorize the hairlessness of each cat, but also the hairlessness “expression” of each cat, as altered by modifiers and environment, including hormones.

In order for your cat(s)/cattery to be part of this research, simply:

At this time, only submit cats from F-3 forward, and 8 months of age or older.

Dr. Leslie A. Lyons                           
University of California, Davis           
Davis, California
Telephone: 530-754-5546
Fax: 530-752-1358
felinegenome@ucdavis.edu
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING BUCCAL
CELLS FOR DNA TESTING CATS
1. Before collecting sample, make sure that the cat has not nursed or had anything to eat or drink 30 minutes prior to collecting the sample.
 
2. Sample one cat at a time. If samples are to be collected from several cats in the same session, complete steps 1-6 for one cat before sampling the next.
 
3. Fill out the submission form and print.

4. Use 2 double ended cotton swabs. Place swab head against the inside of the cheek and gums, swirl vigorously 8 – 10 times. Use both ends of the cotton swabs.

5. Wave cotton swab in the air for 20 seconds to air dry.

6. Place cotton swabs into paper envelope and seal. Write the cat’s name on the outside of each sealed envelope. Do not wrap swabs in plastic wrap or seal in plastic bag.

7. Place all samples, and identification forms into one envelope. Mail via:
    US mail delivery OR Overnight courier(FedEx, UPS, DHL):
        Dr. Leslie A. Lyons
        Cat DNA Testing
        SVM:PHR, 1114 Tupper Hall                   
        University of California
        One Shields Avenue
        Davis, CA 95616
                Lab e-mail: felinegenome@ucdavis.edu
           web: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/

This project would be paid for by Dr. Lyons’ research lab and her NIH grants. There would be no cost to breeders.
        MORE DATA IS NEEDED!!