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BMC genomics2021; 22(1); 267; doi: 10.1186/s12864-021-07454-z

A QTL for conformation of back and croup influences lateral gait quality in Icelandic horses.

Abstract: The back plays a vital role in horse locomotion, where the spine functions as a spring during the stride cycle. A complex interaction between the spine and the muscles of the back contribute to locomotion soundness, gait ability, and performance of riding and racehorses. Conformation is commonly used to select horses for breeding and performance in multiple horse breeds, where the back and croup conformation plays a significant role. The conformation of back and croup plays an important role on riding ability in Icelandic horses. However, the genes behind this trait are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with conformation of back and croup in Icelandic horses and to investigate their effects on riding ability. One hundred seventy-seven assessed Icelandic horses were included in the study. A genome-wide association analysis was performed using the 670 K+ Axiom Equine Genotyping Array, and the effects of different haplotypes in the top associated region were estimated for riding ability and additional conformation traits assessed during breeding field tests. Results: A suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the score of back and croup was detected on Equus caballus (ECA) 22 (p-value = 2.67 × 10- 7). Haplotype analysis revealed two opposite haplotypes, which resulted in higher and lower scores of the back and croup, respectively (p-value < 0.001). Horses with the favorable haplotype were more inclined to have a well-balanced backline with an uphill conformation and had, on average, higher scores for the lateral gaits tölt (p-value = 0.02) and pace (p-value = 0.004). This genomic region harbors three genes: C20orf85, ANKRD60 and LOC100056167. ANKRD60 is associated with body height in humans. C20orf85 and ANKRD60 are potentially linked to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in humans. Conclusions: Our results show that the detected QTL for conformation of back and croup is of importance for quality of lateral gaits in Icelandic horses. These findings could result in a genetic test to aid in the selection of breeding horses, thus they are of major interest for horse breeders. The results may also offer a gateway to comparative functional genomics by potentially linking both motor laterality and back inclination in horses with scoliosis in humans.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-14 PubMed ID: 33853519PubMed Central: PMC8048352DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07454-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study identifies a gene region influencing the back and croup conformation in Icelandic horses, which in turn affects their gait quality. Further study into this gene region can potentially provide an avenue for genetic testing for horse breeding, apart from possibly contributing to an understanding of scoliosis in humans.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aimed at identifying the specific genomic regions associated with the conformation of the back and croup – the back and hindquarters of a horse – in Icelandic horses.
  • The purpose was to explore the potential impact of these identified genes on the horses’ riding ability.

Methodology

  • The study included 177 assessed Icelandic horses.
  • Genome-wide association analysis was undertaken using a genome mapping tool referred to as the Axiom Equine Genotyping Array.
  • Different haplotypes – groupings of specific genes inherited together – in regions associated with the back and croup conformation were further analyzed for their effects on riding ability and other traits.

Results

  • The research identified a suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) – a section of DNA which correlates with variation in a trait – influencing back and croup score.
  • Two contrasting haplotypes were discovered which affected the score of back and croup. Horses with the favorable haplotype had a good balance and had a higher score for the lateral gaits – tölt and pace.
  • The genomic region where the QTL was found houses three genes: C20orf85, ANKRD60 and LOC100056167. Interestingly, the ANKRD60 gene is associated with body height in humans while C20orf85 and ANKRD60 have been linked to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine) in humans.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study demonstrates that the identified QTL for conformation of back and croup has significant influence on the quality of lateral gaits in Icelandic horses.
  • These findings could potentially lay the groundwork for a genetic test which can assist in the selection of breeding horses, making them of substantial relevance for horse breeders.
  • The results also indicate a possibility for comparative functional genomics studies in relation to scoliosis in humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Rosengren MK, Sigurðardóttir H, Eriksson S, Naboulsi R, Jouni A, Novoa-Bravo M, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjánsson Þ, Rhodin M, Viklund Å, Velie BD, Negro JJ, Solé M, Lindgren G. (2021). A QTL for conformation of back and croup influences lateral gait quality in Icelandic horses. BMC Genomics, 22(1), 267. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-021-07454-z

Publication

BMC genomics
ISSN: 1471-2164
NlmUniqueID: 100965258
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Pages: 267

Researcher Affiliations

Rosengren, Maria K
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. maria.rosengren@slu.se.
Sigurðardóttir, Heiðrún
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • The Agricultural University of Iceland, Borgarnes, Iceland.
Eriksson, Susanne
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Naboulsi, Rakan
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Jouni, Ahmad
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Novoa-Bravo, Miguel
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda, Bogotá, Colombia.
Albertsdóttir, Elsa
  • The Icelandic Agricultural Advisory Centre, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Kristjánsson, Þorvaldur
  • The Agricultural University of Iceland, Borgarnes, Iceland.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Viklund, Åsa
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Velie, Brandon D
  • School of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Negro, Juan J
  • Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, Seville, Spain.
Solé, Marina
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindgren, Gabriella
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Gait / genetics
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Horses / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Quantitative Trait Loci

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare competing interest concerning commercial applications of the current study. GL is a co-inventor on a patent application concerning commercial testing of the DMRT3 mutation. The stated patents does not restrict research applications of the method.

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Citations

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