Conformation Traits and Gaits in the Icelandic Horse are Associated with Genetic Variants in Myostatin (MSTN).
Abstract: Many genes are known to have an influence on conformation and performance traits; however, the role of one gene, Myostatin (MSTN), has been highlighted in recent studies on horses. Myostatin acts as a repressor in the development and regulation of differentiation and proliferative growth of skeletal muscle. Several studies have examined the link between MSTN, conformation, and performance in racing breeds, but no studies have investigated the relationship in Icelandic horses. Icelandic horses, a highly unique breed, are known both for their robust and compact conformation as well as their additional gaits tölt and pace. Three SNPs (g.65868604G>T [PR8604], g.66493737C>T [PR3737], and g.66495826A>G [PR5826]) flanking or within equine MSTN were genotyped in 195 Icelandic horses. The SNPs and haplotypes were analyzed for association with official estimated breeding values (EBV) for conformation traits (n = 11) and gaits (n = 5). The EBV for neck, withers, and shoulders was significantly associated with both PR8604 and PR3737 (P < 0.05). PR8604 was also associated with EBV for total conformation (P = 0.05). These associations were all supported by the haplotype analysis. However, while SNP PR5826 showed a significant association with EBVs for leg stance and hooves (P < 0.05), haplotype analyses for these traits failed to fully support these associations. This study demonstrates the possible role of MSTN on both the form and function of horses from non-racing breeds. Further analysis of Icelandic horses as well as other non-racing breeds would be beneficial and likely help to completely understand the influence of MSTN on conformation and performance in horses.
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Publication Date: 2016-05-13 PubMed ID: 27208149DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esw031Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research examines the relationship between specific genetic variants of the Myostatin gene (MSTN) and the physical and performance traits of Icelandic horses. Conclusions point to MSTN potentially influencing both the shape and function of horses, not only within racing breeds, but also in non-racing breeds like the Icelandic type.
Introduction
- This study focuses on the unique Icelandic horse breed, famously known for their compact, robust structure and additional gaits, tölt and pace, apart from the common horse gaits.
- The gene Myostatin (MSTN) takes the spotlight in this research. MSTN has been inferred in previous research to regulate the development, growth and diversity of skeletal muscles, acting as a controlling or repressing force.
- Researchers have studied the MSTN gene to understand its correlation with conformation and performance in racehorse breeds, although its association with non-racing breeds, such as the Icelandic horse, has remained relatively less explored.
Methodology
- Three Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), mutations occurring at a single point in the DNA, were identified within or near the MSTN gene. These were g.65868604G>T (PR8604), g.66493737C>T (PR3737), and g.66495826A>G (PR5826).
- All these SNPs were genotyped in a pool of 195 Icelandic horses for this study.
- The researchers then analyzed the correlation between these SNPs and haplotypes, or sets of DNA variations, with the horses’ estimated breeding values (EBV), which are predictive scores of genetic ability for particular traits. 11 conformation traits and 5 gait traits were considered.
Results and Findings
- Significant associations were found between the PR8604 and PR3737 SNPs and the EBV for neck, withers, and shoulders.
- Furthermore, PR8604 also showed a notable association with the EBV for total conformation.
- All these associations were further confirmed by haplotype analysis.
- The SNP PR5826 emerged as significantly related to the EBV for leg stance and hooves. However, this link did not receive full endorsement from the haplotype analysis.
Conclusion and Future Research
- This study presented evidence that MSTN likely plays a role in determining both the form (conformation traits) and function (gait traits) of horses. This conclusion extends MSTN’s influence beyond previously researched racing breeds to non-racing breeds like the Icelandic horse as well.
- The authors suggest future research involving Icelandic horses and other non-racing breeds. Such efforts could help fully understand the influence of the MSTN gene on both conformation and performance in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
François L, Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Eriksson S, Andersson LS, Tesfayonas YG, Viluma A, Imsland F, Buys N, Mikko S, Lindgren G, Velie BD.
(2016).
Conformation Traits and Gaits in the Icelandic Horse are Associated with Genetic Variants in Myostatin (MSTN).
J Hered, 107(5), 431-437.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esw031 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (François, Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Eriksson, Andersson, Tesfayonas, Viluma, Mikko, Lindgren, and Velie); KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems, Livestock Genetics, Leuven 3001, Belgium (François and Buys); and Science for Life Laboratory Uppsala, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden (Imsland).
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Gait
- Genetic Association Studies
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Haplotypes
- Horses
- Male
- Myostatin / genetics
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Quantitative Trait, Heritable
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Fegraeus K, Rosengren MK, Naboulsi R, Orlando L, Åbrink M, Jouni A, Velie BD, Raine A, Egner B, Mattsson CM, Lång K, Zhigulev A, Björck HM, Franco-Cereceda A, Eriksson P, Andersson G, Sahlén P, Meadows JRS, Lindgren G. An endothelial regulatory module links blood pressure regulation with elite athletic performance. PLoS Genet 2024 Jun;20(6):e1011285.
- Reich P, Möller S, Stock KF, Nolte W, von Depka Prondzinski M, Reents R, Kalm E, Kühn C, Thaller G, Falker-Gieske C, Tetens J. Genomic analyses of withers height and linear conformation traits in German Warmblood horses using imputed sequence-level genotypes. Genet Sel Evol 2024 Jun 13;56(1):45.
- Vincelette A. The Characteristics, Distribution, Function, and Origin of Alternative Lateral Horse Gaits. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 8;13(16).
- 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. A QTL for conformation of back and croup influences lateral gait quality in Icelandic horses. BMC Genomics 2021 Apr 14;22(1):267.
- Sevane N, Dunner S, Boado A, Cañon J. Polymorphisms in ten candidate genes are associated with conformational and locomotive traits in Spanish Purebred horses. J Appl Genet 2017 Aug;58(3):355-361.
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