Genetic analysis of insect bite hypersensitivity (summer eczema) in Icelandic horses.
Abstract: There is a lack of knowledge about the genetic background of eczema due to insect bite hypersensitivity, also called summer eczema, in horses. The condition is known in several horse breeds and countries and it causes reduced welfare of the horse and economic losses to the owner. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for summer eczema in Swedish-born Icelandic horses. A questionnaire was sent to owners of horses sired by stallions with more than 50 offspring born in Sweden between 1991 and 2001. Variance components of summer eczema classified as healthy, mild, moderate or severe were estimated using the threshold methodology with sire models. In addition, summer eczema was analysed as a binary trait (healthy v. affected). The analyses included 1250 horses sired by 33 stallions. The prevalence of summer eczema was 8%, with a range of 0% to 30% in different paternal half-sib groups. Offspring of dams suffering from eczema had a higher risk of developing eczema. The heritability for severity of summer eczema was estimated at 0.3 (s.d. < 0.2) with a threshold sire model. In contrast to the age of the horse, different geographic areas and gender were significantly associated with severity of the eczema. We conclude that genetic selection could decrease the prevalence of summer eczema among Swedish-born Icelandic horses. The amount and quality of data are, however, crucial for the possibility to introduce a genetic evaluation of summer eczema. The symptoms should be classified in several classes according to severity, and this classification could be made by the horse owner.
Publication Date: 2008-03-01 PubMed ID: 22445037DOI: 10.1017/S1751731107001413Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research examines the genetic factors contributing to summer eczema, a condition resulting from insect bite hypersensitivity, in Swedish-born Icelandic horses. Through a survey and assessment of horses from different paternal lineages, it concludes that the condition has a heritable component, and strategic genetic selection could reduce its prevalence.
Context of the Study
- The study is focused on evaluating the genetic basis of a condition known as summer eczema, or insect bite hypersensitivity, in horses. This condition leads to diminished welfare of the horse and economic losses to the owner and is prevalent in many horse breeds and countries.
- Despite its prevalence, there is little understanding of the genetic factors predisposing horses to this condition. The study thus aims to fill this gap, particularly in the context of Swedish-born Icelandic horses.
- The researchers distributed a questionnaire to owners of horses resulting from stallions with more than 50 offspring born in Sweden between 1991 and 2001.
- They analyzed summer eczema as a binary trait (healthy vs. affected) and recorded the severity of the condition in affected horses (classified as mild, moderate, or severe).
- The study involved analyses of 1250 horses sired by 33 stallions.
- The prevalence of summer eczema in the evaluated group was approximately 8%. However, there was a significant variability among different paternal half-sib groups, with a range from 0% to 30%.
- Offspring of dams (female horses) who had eczema displayed a higher risk of developing the condition, indicating a likely genetic link.
- The heritability for severity of summer eczema was estimated to be 0.3, indicative of a substantial genetic basis to the condition.
- Factors such as the geographic area and the gender of the horse were significantly linked to eczema severity.
- The findings suggest that genetic selection could potentially decrease the prevalence of summer eczema among Swedish-born Icelandic horses.
- However, the quality and quantity of data are vital for establishing a genetic evaluation of summer eczema. The research recommends classification of eczema symptoms according to severity, which should be reported by the horse owner.
Methodology
Findings
Implications
Cite This Article
APA
Eriksson S, Grandinson K, Fikse WF, Lindberg L, Mikko S, Broström H, Frey R, Sundquist M, Lindgren G.
(2008).
Genetic analysis of insect bite hypersensitivity (summer eczema) in Icelandic horses.
Animal, 2(3), 360-365.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731107001413 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
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