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A sequence polymorphism in MSTN predicts sprinting ability and racing stamina in thoroughbred horses.
Abstract: Variants of the MSTN gene encoding myostatin are associated with muscle hypertrophy phenotypes in a range of mammalian species, most notably cattle, dogs, mice, and humans. Using a sample of registered Thoroughbred horses (n = 148), we have identified a novel MSTN sequence polymorphism that is strongly associated (g.66493737C>T, P = 4.85x10(-8)) with best race distance among elite racehorses (n = 79). This observation was independently validated (P = 1.91x10(-6)) in a resampled group of Thoroughbreds (n = 62) and in a cohort of Thoroughbreds (n = 37, P = 0.0047) produced by the same trainer. We observed that C/C horses are suited to fast, short-distance races; C/T horses compete favorably in middle-distance races; and T/T horses have greater stamina. Evaluation of retrospective racecourse performance (n = 142) and stallion progeny performance predict that C/C and C/T horses are more likely to be successful two-year-old racehorses than T/T animals. Here we describe for the first time the identification of a gene variant in Thoroughbred racehorses that is predictive of genetic potential for an athletic phenotype.
Publication Date: 2010-01-20 PubMed ID: 20098749PubMed Central: PMC2808334DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008645Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study identified a variation in the MSTN gene linked to sprinting ability and race stamina in thoroughbred horses. The variant correlates with the horse’s potential for performing in races of differing lengths.
Background and Purpose of the Study
- The study aimed to find a possible genetic determinant for sprinting ability and racing stamina in thoroughbred horses.
- Starting from the knowledge that variations of the MSTN gene, which encodes myostatin, are linked to muscle hypertrophy or excessive muscle growth in various mammals (including cattle, dogs, mice, and humans), the researchers wanted to explore this gene’s impact on horse performance.
Research Methods and Results
- A sample of 148 registered Thoroughbred horses was first examined. The team discovered a novel MSTN sequence polymorphism, referred to as g.66493737C>T, which showed a strong association with the horse’s best race distance amongst a group of elite racehorses (79 animals).
- The observed connection was independently verified in a resampled group of Thoroughbreds (62 animals) and in another Thoroughbred cohort (37 animals) created by the same trainer.
- Through this work, the research team concluded that horses with the variant C/C are suited to quick, short-distance races, C/T horses perform better in middle-distance races, and T/T horses have superior stamina.
Implications and Conclusions
- A retrospective assessment of racecourse performance, and performance prediction of stallion progeny, suggest that horses with C/C and C/T variants are more likely to be successful in two-year-old races compared to their T/T counterparts.
- This research lays the groundwork for the future, as this is the first recorded instance of identifying a gene variant in Thoroughbred racehorses that has an evident predictive influence on an animal’s athletic potential. The study’s results offer possibilities for informed breeding and training strategies about race length suitability.
Cite This Article
APA
Hill EW, Gu J, Eivers SS, Fonseca RG, McGivney BA, Govindarajan P, Orr N, Katz LM, MacHugh DE.
(2010).
A sequence polymorphism in MSTN predicts sprinting ability and racing stamina in thoroughbred horses.
PLoS One, 5(1), e8645.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0008645 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. emmeline.hill@ucd.ie
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Genotype
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Myostatin / genetics
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Running
Conflict of Interest Statement
Patent applications: United States Provisional Serial Number 61/136553 and Irish patent application number 2008/0735. Patent Cooperation Treaty filing: “A method for predicting athletic performance potential,” September 7, 2009. The following authors are named on the applications: EWH, JG, LMK, NO, and DM. These applications do not alter adherence to policies on sharing data and materials.
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