Genetic Factors of Equine Osteochondrosis and Fetlock Osteochondral Fragments: A Scoping Review – Part 2.
Abstract: Equine osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joint are linked to various environmental and genetic risk factors. To assess the scope of the literature linking these risk factors to the development of these osteochondral disorders, while identifying knowledge gaps and challenges to guide future research, a scoping review was performed. This article constitutes the second part of this scoping review and focuses on genetic factors, with the first part addressing environmental factors. To identify potentially relevant papers, online bibliographical databases PubMed and Web of Science were utilised, supplemented with articles listed on the OMIA website (OMIA:000750-9796). After collecting entries, removing duplicates, screening titles, abstracts, and full-text documents for eligibility, and manually searching reference lists of the remaining articles, a total of 212 studies were identified for this scoping review. First, a brief overview of the etiopathogenesis of equine osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joint is provided. Subsequently, this article delves into the genetic aspects by presenting an overview of significantly associated quantitative trait loci and potential candidate genes. Next, the challenges in both phenotypic and genomic selection against these osteochondral disorders are discussed, with a focus on the difficulties in phenotyping, the establishment of large and representative reference populations, publication bias, lesion-specific heritabilities, and studbook policies. In conclusion, while there is considerable potential to implement preventive measures that can alleviate the economic burden and enhance animal welfare, further research is necessary. This research should utilize precise and standardized phenotype definitions applied across studies with preferably larger populations.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2024-10-21 PubMed ID: 39442748DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106258Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study is a comprehensive review to understand the influence of genetic factors on the development of equine osteochondrosis and fetlock osteochondral fragments in horses. It identifies gaps in knowledge and discusses challenges to concentrate future research.
Research Methodology
- The researchers conducted a scoping review of literature on the genetic factors impacting equine osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joint of horses. This research approach includes extensive evaluation of scientific articles to understand the breadth of available information on a particular topic and to identify trends, gaps, and challenges in the research area.
- Online bibliographical databases such as PubMed and the Web of Science were consulted to find the relevant papers. The search was supplemented with articles featured on the OMIA (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals) website specifically related to this disorder (OMIA:000750-9796) which provides a comprehensive catalog of animal genetic disorders.
- Following data collection, the repetitive entries were removed, and the selected entries were systematically examined for eligibility from their titles, abstracts, and full text areas. Further refining was done by manual inspection of the bibliography of the remaining papers, resulting in a final set of 212 studies for the scoping review.
Findings and Discussion
- The paper begins by giving a brief background of the causes and development of equine osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joint in horses.
- Then it delves deeper into the genetic influences. It provides an overview of the Quantitative Trait Loci (regions of DNA associated with a characteristic) that are significantly linked to these disorders, and suspected causative genes.
- The challenges encountered in phenotypic (observable traits produced by genes) and genomic selection against these disorders are also discussed. These include difficulties in accurately observing and recording phenotype traits, establishing large samples of reference populations, the presence of publication bias, calculating the specific heritability (likelihood of a trait being inherited) of each lesion type, and the policies of horse breeding registers.
Conclusion and Future Directions
- The review concludes that while promising preventive measures could potentially alleviate the economic burden and improve animal welfare, more research is required.
- Future research should aim to integrate precise phenotype definitions, standardised across different studies, whilst covering larger populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Van Mol B, Janssens S, Oosterlinck M, Pille F, Buys N.
(2024).
Genetic Factors of Equine Osteochondrosis and Fetlock Osteochondral Fragments: A Scoping Review – Part 2.
Vet J, 106258.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106258 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: bram.vanmol@ugent.be.
- Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Center for Animal Breeding and Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Conflict of interest statement None of the authors of this paper has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organisations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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