Development of the Lipizzan horse breed.
Abstract: The development and a brief history of the Lipizzan horse breed are reviewed. The contribution of several breeds, some of them already extinct, to the development of the Lipizzan horse, gives it a special status representing an important gene pool. This well-documented breed is a part of the common European natural and cultural heritage. Breeding practices establishing stallion and mare family lines as well as availability of pedigrees are described. Molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data allowed us to analyse the structure of the Lipizzan population, to estimate genetic variability within the population and to test the reliability of the pedigree data. DNA sequence analysis of the mtDNA control region confirmed relative high variability of the gene pool, containing majority of mtDNA haplotypes found in horse populations worldwide. Microsatellite analysis showed that the level of heterozygosity in the Lipizzan population is comparable with the heterozygosity in other populations. The fact that majority of the Lipizzan population is bred on eight state studs in the Central and Eastern Europe contributes to the structuring of the population which results in three clusters: classical cluster, represented by studs Lipica, Piber and Monterotondo, transition cluster, represented by studs Szilvasvarad, Djakovo and Topolćianky and eastern cluster represented by studs Beclean and Fagaras. The molecular markers also allowed verification of pedigree data, and the rough estimation of pedigree errors was about 10%.
Publication Date: 2006-07-28 PubMed ID: 16869882DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00726.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the development and history of the Lipizzan horse breed, examining its genetic diversity and structure with the help of molecular analyses of mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite data. The findings confirm the breed’s rich gene pool and noteworthy genetic variability, comparable to other horse populations. The research also addresses some discrepancies in pedigree data of approximately 10% of the sample.
Exploring the Lipizzan Horse Breed
- The research paper provides an overview of the Lipizzan breed of horses, a breed known for its unique gene pool. This exclusivity can be attributed to the influence of several different breeds – some of which are no longer in existence – on its development.
- An interesting facet of this breed is its significant representation in the European natural and cultural landscape, making it not just a breed of horse, but an embodiment of a shared European heritage.
- The authors also delve into details about the specific breeding practices used for Lipizzans, such as the establishment of distinct family lines for stallions and mares.
Molecular Analysis of Lipizzan Breeds
- The paper leverages molecular analysis techniques, focusing on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data, to uncover deeper insights about this breed.
- This study discovered a high level of gene pool variability in the Lipizzan breed through the mtDNA sequence analysis. This variance is measured by the majority of mtDNA haplotypes identified in horse populations worldwide.
- Contrasting the popular belief of Lipizzan’s genetic exclusivity, the research shows the breed’s level of heterozygosity (genetic variation) is similar to other horse populations based on the microsatellite analysis.
Genetic Structure of Lipizzan Breed
- Lipizzan horses are primarily bred across eight state studs in Central and Eastern Europe which contributes to the genetic structuring of the breed. This structure manifests in the form of three clusters: the classical cluster (stud farms at Lipica, Piber, and Monterotondo), transition cluster (stud farms at Szilvasvarad, Djakovo, and Topolćianky), and the eastern cluster (stud farms at Beclean and Fagaras).
- In terms of pedigree data accuracy, the research noted about 10% errors. These errors were confirmed using molecular markers, demonstrating the importance and accuracy of DNA testing in breed identification and genetic study.
Cite This Article
APA
Dovc P, Kavar T, Sölkner H, Achmann R.
(2006).
Development of the Lipizzan horse breed.
Reprod Domest Anim, 41(4), 280-285.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00726.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. peter.dovc@bfro.uni.lj.si
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding / history
- Cluster Analysis
- DNA, Mitochondrial / analysis
- Female
- Genetic Markers
- Genetic Variation
- History, 16th Century
- History, 17th Century
- History, 18th Century
- History, 19th Century
- History, 20th Century
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Microsatellite Repeats
- Pedigree
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Capomaccio S, Ablondi M, Colombi D, Sartori C, Giontella A, Cappelli K, Mancin E, Asti V, Mantovani R, Sabbioni A, Silvestrelli M. Exploring the Italian equine gene pool via high-throughput genotyping. Front Genet 2023;14:1099896.
- Čebulj-Kadunc N, Frangež R, Kruljc P. Fluctuations of Physiological Variables during Conditioning of Lipizzan Fillies before Starting under Saddle. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 25;12(7).
- Cardinali I, Lancioni H, Giontella A, Capodiferro MR, Capomaccio S, Buttazzoni L, Biggio GP, Cherchi R, Albertini E, Olivieri A, Cappelli K, Achilli A, Silvestrelli M. An Overview of Ten Italian Horse Breeds through Mitochondrial DNA. PLoS One 2016;11(4):e0153004.
- Luštrek B, Šimon M, Turk K, Bogičević S, Potočnik K. Comparing Genomic and Pedigree Inbreeding Coefficients in the Slovenian Lipizzan Horse as a Case Study for Small Closed Populations. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 23;15(19).
- Čebulj-Kadunc N, Frangež R, Kruljc P. Long-Term Changes of Physiological Reactions in Young Lipizzan Stallions During Exercise Testing. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 23;15(17).
- Zupan Šemrov M, Přibylová L, Gobbo E. Task-specific morphological and kinematic differences in Lipizzan horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1569067.
- Crisà A, Cardinali I, Giontella A, Silvestrelli M, Lancioni H, Buttazzoni L. A Genetic Make Up of Italian Lipizzan Horse Through Uniparental Markers to Preserve Historical Pedigrees. Biology (Basel) 2024 Dec 23;13(12).
- Grilz-Seger G, Druml T, Neuditschko M, Dobretsberger M, Horna M, Brem G. High-resolution population structure and runs of homozygosity reveal the genetic architecture of complex traits in the Lipizzan horse. BMC Genomics 2019 Mar 5;20(1):174.
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