Different DMRT3 Genotypes Are Best Adapted for Harness Racing and Riding in Finnhorses.
Abstract: Previous studies showed a positive effect of the DMRT3 "gait keeper" mutation on harness racing performance in Standardbreds, French-, and Nordic trotters. The mutation has also been shown to influence riding traits in multiple breeds. This study investigated the effect of the DMRT3 mutation on harness racing performance and riding traits in Finnhorses. Finnhorses used for harness racing (n = 180) and for riding (n = 59) were genotyped for the DMRT3 mutation. For the trotters the genotypes were evaluated for association with racing performance (number of starts, victories, placings, earnings, and race times). At 3-6 years of age the AA genotype was superior compared with the CA and CC genotypes. The AA horses had a significantly higher proportion of victories (P = 1.4×10(-6)) and placings (P = 4.1×10(-7)), better race times (P = 0.01), and earned more money (P = 0.009) compared with C-horses. For the Finnhorses used for riding the owners answered a questionnaire to score how well the horse performed the gaits walk, trot, and canter on a scale from 1 to 6. These scores were tested for association with the DMRT3 genotypes. Although AA horses were more successful as racehorses, the CC and CA horses appear more adapted for classical riding disciplines. The AA horses received significantly lower gait scores compared with C-horses for the majority of gaits. Except for rhythm in extended canter (P = 0.05), there were no significant differences between CA and CC horses. This study shows that there are different optimal genotypes for different disciplines and the DMRT3 mutation clearly influences gaits and performance in Finnhorses.
© The American Genetic Association. 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Publication Date: 2015-08-18 PubMed ID: 26285915DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esv062Google 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
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.
This research investigates how different genetic variants of the DMRT3 gene in Finnhorses influence their performance in harness racing and riding disciplines. It finds that the AA genotype of the gene is more advantageous for racing, while the CA and CC genotypes fare better in riding tasks.
Introduction
- The study stems from previous research that established a positive correlation between the DMRT3 “gait keeper” mutation and harness racing performance in various horse breeds. The mutation is known to affect riding traits across multiple breeds as well.
- The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the DMRT3 mutation on harness racing performance and riding traits specifically in Finnhorses.
Methodology
- A total of 239 Finnhorses were genotyped for the DMRT3 mutation, with 180 used for harness racing and 59 for riding.
- The genotypes resulting from this mutation were analyzed for their association with racing performance, considering the number of starts, victories, placings, earnings, and race times.
- For the Finnhorses used for riding, owners were asked to score how well the horse performed in different gaits: walk, trot, and canter, using a scale of 1 to 6. These scores were then tested for association with the DMRT3 genotypes.
Findings and Discussion
- The study found that in the age group of 3-6 years, the AA genotype contributed to superior performance compared to the CA and CC genotypes the AA horses had a significantly higher proportion of victories and placings, better race times, and earned more money compared to horses with the other genotypes.
- Notwithstanding their success in racing, the AA genotype horses scored significantly lower in gait performance compared to C-horses, making the latter more suitable for classical riding disciplines.
- There were no significant differences between the CA and CC horses except for rhythm in extended canter.
Conclusion
- Based on its findings, the study concludes that there are different optimal genotypes for different horse disciplines, affirming that the DMRT3 mutation distinctly influences gaits and performance in Finnhorses.
Cite This Article
APA
Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Johansson L, Mäenpää M, Mykkänen A, Andersson LS, Velie BD, Andersson L, Árnason T, Lindgren G.
(2015).
Different DMRT3 Genotypes Are Best Adapted for Harness Racing and Riding in Finnhorses.
J Hered, 106(6), 734-740.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esv062 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason).
- From the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden (Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Johansson, Andersson, Velie, Andersson, and Lindgren); Suomen Hippos ry, Espoo, Finland (Mäenpää); Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (Mykkänen); Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Andersson); and IHBC AB, Knubbo, Morgongåva, Sweden (Árnason). gabriella.lindgren@slu.se.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Female
- Gait
- Gene Frequency
- Genotype
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Transcription Factors / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
