Bayesian Recursive and Structural Equation Models to Infer Causal Links Among Gait Visual Scores on Campolina Horses.
Abstract: Gait visual scores are widely applied to horse breeding because they are a fast and easy phenotyping strategy, allowing the numeric interpretation of a complex biological process such as gait quality. However, they may suffer from subjectivity or high environmental influence. We aimed to investigate potential causal relationships among six visual gait scores in Campolina horses. The data included 5475 horses with records for at least one of the following traits: Dissociation (Di), Comfort (C), Style (S), Regularity (R), Development (De), and Gait total Scores (GtS). The pedigree comprised three generations with 14,079 horses in the additive relationship matrix. Under a Bayesian framework, (co)variance components were estimated through a multitrait animal model (MTM). Then, the inductive causation algorithm (IC) was applied to the residual (co)variance matrix samples. The resulting undirected graph from IC was directed in 6 possible causal structures, each fitted by a structural equation model. The final causal structure was chosen based on deviance information criteria (DIC). It was found that S significantly impacts the causal network of gait, directly and indirectly affecting C. The indirect causal effect of S on C was through the direct effect of S on De, then the direct effect of De on R, and finally, the direct effect of R on C. Di was caused by S, which is the reason for the genetic correlation between Di and GtS, due to causal effects being added to the model, they absorb the genetic correlation between Di and GtS. Those paths have biological meaning to horse movements and can help breeders and researchers better understand horses' complex causal network of gait.
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2024-12-19 PubMed ID: 39698947DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12919Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the causal relationships among six behaviour traits related to horse gait using a Bayesian framework in Campolina horses, with the intent to help breeders make better decisions and understand the complexity of horse movement.
Objective and Methods
- The research aimed to study the possible causal relationships among six visual gait scores: Dissociation (Di), Comfort (C), Style (S), Regularity (R), Development (De), and Gait total Scores (GtS) in Campolina horses which are important indicators in horse breeding.
- The data for this study included 5475 horses that had records for at least one of the mentioned traits. The pedigree comprised three generations with 14,079 horses in the additive relationship matrix.
- The researchers applied a Bayesian framework and used a multitrait animal model to estimate the (co)variance components. After this, they applied the inductive causation algorithm to the residual (co)variance matrix samples.
- Then, the undirected graph resulting from the Inductive causation algorithm was directed into 6 possible causal structures. Each of these structures was fitted into a structural equation model.
- The final causal structure was chosen based on the deviance information criteria (DIC).
Findings
- Among the many findings, one key discovery was that the “Style” trait significantly impacted the horse’s gait network, both directly and indirectly impacting the “Comfort” trait.
- The indirect effect of “Style” on “Comfort” was through its direct impact on “Development”, which directly affected “Regularity”, which in turn had a direct impact on “Comfort”.
- It was discovered that “Dissociation” was caused by “Style”, which explained why a genetic correlation was found between “Dissociation” and “Gait total Scores”.
- The addition of causal effects to the model effectively absorbed the genetic correlation between “Dissociation” and “Gait total Scores”.
- The research deduced that the paths established through the study gave a biological context to horse movements and would assist breeders and researchers in better understanding the causal network of horse gait.
Implications
- These findings offer valuable insights into horse breeding strategies as they allow numeric interpretation of complex processes like the quality of gait. In turn, this could lead to more informed decisions in the breeding process, helping improve different aspects of horse gait.
- The results also provide a better understanding of horse gait from a biological perspective, which could be instrumental for veterinary studies and animal research.
- The Bayesian framework and the associated methodologies used in the study could be utilized for similar research in other animal species, making it valuable for the wider animal research and breeding community.
Cite This Article
APA
Bussiman F, Richter J, Hidalgo J, Silva FFE, Ventura RV, Carvalho RSB, Mattos EC, Ferraz JBS, Eler JP, de Carvalho Balieiro JC.
(2024).
Bayesian Recursive and Structural Equation Models to Infer Causal Links Among Gait Visual Scores on Campolina Horses.
J Anim Breed Genet.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12919 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Nutrition and Production Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Animal and Dairy Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
- Animal and Dairy Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
- Animal and Dairy Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
- Animal Science Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Animal Nutrition and Production Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Basic Sciences Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Animal Nutrition and Production Department, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil.
Grant Funding
- 2018/26465-3 / Fundau00e7u00e3o de Amparo u00e0 Pesquisa do Estado de Su00e3o Paulo
- 001 / Coordenau00e7u00e3o de Aperfeiu00e7oamento de Pessoal de Nu00edvel Superior
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