Equine performance genes and the future of doping in horseracing.
Abstract: A horse's success on the racetrack is determined by genetics, training and nutrition, and their translation into physical traits such as speed, endurance and muscle strength. Advances in genetic technologies are slowly explaining the roles of specific genes in equine performance, and offering new insights into the development of novel therapies for diseases and musculoskeletal injuries that cause early retirement of many racehorses. Gene therapy approaches may also soon provide new means to artificially enhance the physical performance of racehorses. Gene doping, the misuse of gene therapies for performance enhancement, is predicted to be the next phase of doping faced by horseracing. The risk of gene doping to human sports has been recognised for almost 15 years, and the introduction of the first gene doping detection tests for doping control in human athletes is imminent. Gene doping is also a threat to horseracing, but there are currently no methods to detect it. Efficient and accurate detection methods need to be developed to deter those looking to use gene doping in horses and to maintain the integrity of the sport. Methods developed for human athletes could offer an avenue for detection in racehorses. Development of an equine equivalent test will first require identification of equine genes that will likely be targeted by gene doping attempts. This review focuses on genes that have been linked to athletic performance in horses and, therefore, could be targeted for genetic manipulation. The risks associated with gene doping and approaches to detect gene doping are also discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publication Date: 2017-05-30 PubMed ID: 28349656DOI: 10.1002/dta.2198Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The success of a racehorse is largely determined by genetics, training, and diet; however, advanced genetic technologies may offer ways to artificially enhance performance. Known as gene doping, this practice involves the misuse of gene therapies and poses a significant threat to the integrity of equestrian sports, prompting the need for efficient detection methods.
Understanding the Role of Genes in Racehorse Performance
- The study especially highlights that the performance of racehorses is influenced by several factors such as genetics, nutrition, and training. The researchers emphasize that understanding the specific genes related to equine performance can provide new insights not only into their role in athleticism but also in developing novel therapies for conditions that often cause early retirements in racehorses, like diseases and musculoskeletal injuries.
Gene Doping and Its Implications
- Gene doping involves the misuse of gene therapies to artificially enhance the physical performance of athletes. The risk of gene doping has already been recognized in human sports for about 15 years, and the first detection tests for such doping in human athletes are soon to be introduced.
- As gene therapies advance, there’s a possibility of these techniques being used in horse racing. The purpose of such manipulation would be to increase race performance artificially, which presents serious ethical and integrity concerns for the sport.
The Need for Detection Methods
- Despite the looming threat of gene doping, there are currently no reliable ways to detect its usage in horses. This makes it crucial to develop efficient and accurate methods to catch and deter those who would use gene doping in racehorses.
- Human gene doping detection methods could potentially serve as a blueprint to develop equine-specific tests. However, the first step would be to identify the equine genes most likely to be targeted for manipulation.
Identifying Likely Targets for Gene Doping
- The study focuses on identifying genes linked to athletic performance in horses, as they could likely be targets for gene doping. By understanding these genes and their connection to athleticism, researchers can focus on developing robust methods for their identification as part of a gene doping detection test.
This research ideally sheds light on a serious, evolving concern in horseracing and also emphasizes the urgent need for reliable and efficient methods to detect gene doping.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilkin T, Baoutina A, Hamilton N.
(2017).
Equine performance genes and the future of doping in horseracing.
Drug Test Anal, 9(9), 1456-1471.
https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2198 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Vet Faculty, University of Sydney, Gunn Building, Sydney University, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
- Bioanalysis, The National Measurement Institute, 36 Bradfield Rd, Lindfield, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Bradfield Rd, West Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia.
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Athletic Performance
- Doping in Sports / methods
- Horses
- Humans
Citations
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