Epigenetic control of exercise adaptations in the equine athlete: Current evidence and future directions.

The research article delves into the epigenetic mechanisms influencing athletic performance in horses, providing an overview of existing data and charting the course for future studies.

Objective

The objective of this review-centric research is to collate and assess current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underline the athletic performance and cardiorespiratory fitness in athletic horse breeds. The research also seeks to shed light on areas that require further investigation and articulates a justification for examining epigenetic modifications related to exercise-related traits and afflictions in athletic horse breeds.

Molecular Mechanisms

• The researchers acknowledged the selection process over the past 300 years that has resulted in horses with different athletic qualities – some bred for their size and muscular strength (like the Clydesdales) and others for their running performance (e.g., Thoroughbred and Arabian).
• While certain physiological changes and some cellular adaptations involved in the athletic potential of these horses have been identified, the molecular mechanisms are only starting to be thoroughly studied.

Epigenetics

• An introduction to the biology of epigenetics is provided, which encompasses DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs.
• The capacity of these elements to alter gene expression and hence influence a range of biological processes and traits forms the basis of their study in the context of athletic performance.

Current Findings and Unanswered Questions

• A summary and critical review of current research on exercise-induced epigenetic and transcriptional changes in horses is given. The review marks the significant strides made in this field and simultaneously points out the unanswered questions.
• Some of the unanswered questions and currently unexplored areas that are pinpointed throw light on potential avenues for future research.

Implications for Future Research

• The paper provides a rationale for the analysis of epigenetic modifications within the context of exercise-related traits and conditions associated with athletic horse breeds.
• This is projected to guide future research and could have significant implications for not only improving performance in horse breeds, but also addressing potential ailments associated with intense physical activity.