Genetic studies of neuraxonal dystrophy in the Morgan.
Abstract: A naturally occurring disease condition, neuraxonal dystrophy, was identified in 27 male and 15 female Morgans, many of which were closely related. Five-generation pedigrees were constructed for 33 of these horses and were compared with those for 29 randomly selected age- and sex-matched Morgans. Their mean coefficient of inbreeding was not statistically different (P greater than 0.1, 1 tailed t test; P less than 0.001, median test). Breeding of 2 severely affected and 2 normal stallions to 2 severely affected, 3 mildly affected, and 6 normal mares produced 10 mildly affected, 8 suspect affected, and 6 normal offspring. Breeding 4 normal stallions to 17 normal mares produced 22 normal offspring. Neuraxonal dystrophy seems to have a familial component, although neither a simple dominant not recessive mode of inheritance could be demonstrated. The condition could be inherited in a polygenic mode or as a dominant disorder with variable expression.
Publication Date: 1987-01-01 PubMed ID: 3826829
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores the existence and potential causes of a disease known as neuraxonal dystrophy in a specific breed of horses, the Morgan. The research indicates that the disease appears to have a genetic component, though a clear pattern of inheritance could not be determined.
Study Background
The study focuses on neuraxonal dystrophy, a naturally occurring disease in the Morgan horse breed. The researchers identified this condition in 27 males and 15 females, many of whom were closely related. Neuraxonal dystrophy is a degenerative condition that affects nerve cells, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms like impaired movement and muscle wasting.
Methodology and Results
- An essential part of this research involved constructing five-generation pedigrees for 33 of the affected horses. These were then compared to the pedigrees of 29 other Morgans of the same age and gender, but seemingly unaffected by the disease.
- The researchers then looked at the degree of inbreeding between the horses, predicting a higher inbreeding coefficient among the affected animals. However, the mean coefficient of inbreeding was not significantly different between the two groups.
- Next, a series of breedings between various combinations of severely affected, mildly affected, suspect affected, and normal horses produced a mix of affected and normal offspring. When normal stallions bred with normal mares, all the offspring were also normal.
Interpretation of Results
- The result obtained indicates a familial component to neuraxonal dystrophy, implying that the disease is inherited genetically to some extent. However, the specific mode of inheritance couldn’t be established.
- The researchers proposed the disease might be inherited in a polygenic mode, meaning it is influenced not by one single gene, but many. Alternatively, it could be a dominant disorder with variable expression, meaning only one copy of an abnormal gene is sufficient to cause the disease, but its severity can vary widely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these results suggest that the neuraxonal dystrophy in Morgans has some genetic factor, but further studies are needed to understand fully its inheritance pattern and mechanisms. By advancing our understanding of this illness, researchers and horse breeders can better manage and perhaps eventually eradicate this debilitating condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Beech J, Haskins M.
(1987).
Genetic studies of neuraxonal dystrophy in the Morgan.
Am J Vet Res, 48(1), 109-113.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brain Diseases / genetics
- Brain Diseases / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses
- Male
- Neuromuscular Diseases / genetics
- Neuromuscular Diseases / veterinary
- Pedigree
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Hales EN, Aleman M, Marquardt SA, Katzman SA, Woolard KD, Miller AD, Finno CJ. Postmortem diagnoses of spinal ataxia in 316 horses in California.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021 Jun 15;258(12):1386-1393.
- Burns EN, Finno CJ. Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy: prevalence, impact, and management.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2018;9:63-67.
- Finno CJ, Miller AD, Sisó S, Divers T, Gianino G, Barro MV, Valberg SJ. Concurrent Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy and Equine Motor Neuron Disease in Three Young Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1344-50.
- Finno CJ, Aleman M, Higgins RJ, Madigan JE, Bannasch DL. Risk of false positive genetic associations in complex traits with underlying population structure: a case study.. Vet J 2014 Dec;202(3):543-9.
- Finno CJ, Famula T, Aleman M, Higgins RJ, Madigan JE, Bannasch DL. Pedigree analysis and exclusion of alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (TTPA) as a candidate gene for neuroaxonal dystrophy in the American Quarter Horse.. J Vet Intern Med 2013 Jan-Feb;27(1):177-85.
- Adams AP, Collatos C, Fuentealba C, Illanes O, Blanchard R. Neuroaxonal dystrophy in a two-year-old quarter horse filly.. Can Vet J 1996 Jan;37(1):43-4.
- de Lahunta A. Abiotrophy in domestic animals: a review.. Can J Vet Res 1990 Jan;54(1):65-76.
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