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Home / Equine Research Bank / Meta Gene / Androgen receptor gene polymorphism in zebra species.
Meta gene2015; 5; 120-123; doi: 10.1016/j.mgene.2015.06.006

Androgen receptor gene polymorphism in zebra species.

Abstract: Androgen receptor genes (AR) have been found to have associations with reproductive development, behavioral traits, and disorders in humans. However, the influence of similar genetic effects on the behavior of other animals is scarce. We examined the loci AR glutamine repeat (ARQ) in 44 Grevy's zebras, 23 plains zebras, and three mountain zebras, and compared them with those of domesticated horses. We observed polymorphism among zebra species and between zebra and horse. As androgens such as testosterone influence aggressiveness, AR polymorphism among equid species may be associated with differences in levels of aggression and tameness. Our findings indicate that it would be useful to conduct further studies focusing on the potential association between AR and personality traits, and to understand domestication of equid species.
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Publication Date: 2015-06-30 PubMed ID: 26236645PubMed Central: PMC4501558DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2015.06.006Google 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 researchers investigated the role of Androgen receptor genes (AR) in influencing the behavior of various zebra species and horses. They discovered variations in the AR genes among these species which could explain differences in their levels of aggression and tameness.

Introduction to Androgen Receptor Genes and Behavioral Traits

  • The study focuses on the Androgen receptor genes, also known as AR, which are genes associated with sexual development, behavioral traits, and disorders in humans.
  • These genes have been particularly linked with reproductive development and various behavioral characteristics but less research has been conducted on how these genes affect species beyond humans.

The Study and Its Findings

  • The researchers investigated these AR genes in 44 Grevy’s zebras, 23 plains zebras, three mountain zebras, and compared them with those in domesticated horses.
  • They examined a specific region of the AR gene named AR glutamine repeat (ARQ).
  • The research identified polymorphism or genetic variation among the different zebra species and between zebras and horses. This means that these different species do not share the same versions of the AR gene.

Implication of the Findings

  • Androgens such as testosterone are hormones that can influence behavior traits such as aggressiveness. Therefore, the researchers suggested that the identified AR gene variation among the equine species could potentially explain the differences in their levels of aggression and tameness.
  • The conclusion is that this study may provide an insight into the roles genes play in determining behavioral traits and domestication in animals.
  • However, further studies are required to substantiate this potential link between AR gene polymorphism and personality traits in zebras and horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Ito H, Langenhorst T, Ogden R, Inoue-Murayama M. (2015). Androgen receptor gene polymorphism in zebra species. Meta Gene, 5, 120-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mgene.2015.06.006

Publication

Meta gene
ISSN: 2214-5400
NlmUniqueID: 101627670
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: 120-123

Researcher Affiliations

Ito, Hideyuki
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan ; Kyoto City Zoo, Japan.
Langenhorst, Tanya
  • Marwell Wildlife, United Kingdom.
Ogden, Rob
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan ; Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, United Kingdom.
Inoue-Murayama, Miho
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan ; Wildlife Genome Collaborative Research Group, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ramadan S, Nowier AM, Hori Y, Inoue-Murayama M. The association between glutamine repeats in the androgen receptor gene and personality traits in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).. PLoS One 2018;13(2):e0191119.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191119pubmed: 29415053google scholar: lookup
  2. Maney DL. Polymorphisms in sex steroid receptors: From gene sequence to behavior.. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017 Oct;47:47-65.
    doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.07.003pubmed: 28705582google scholar: lookup
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