Genetics of Equine Ocular Disease.
Abstract: Horses perform in a variety of disciplines that are visually demanding, and any disease impacting the eye has the potential to threaten vision and thus the utility of the horse. Advances in equine genetics have enabled the understanding of some inherited ocular disorders and ocular manifestations and are enabling cross-species comparisons. Genetic testing for multiple congenital ocular anomalies, congenital stationary night blindness, equine recurrent uveitis, and squamous cell carcinoma can identify horses with or at risk for disease and thus can assist in clinical management and breeding decisions. This article describes the current knowledge of inherited ocular disorders.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-07-14 PubMed ID: 32654784DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.03.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper discusses the understanding of inherited eye diseases in horses through advances in equine genetics, and how genetic testing can help identify horses at risk and aid in their management and breeding.
Introduction
This study focuses on the significance of vision in horses, as they are involved in visually demanding disciplines. It emphasizes that any disease affecting the eye can compromise a horse’s vision and utility. Expanding scientific knowledge in equine genetics has made it possible to comprehend some inherited eye disorders and their manifestations in horses. It also affords an opportunity for comparisons across species.
Role of Genetics in Ocular Diseases
- The research acknowledges the role of genetics in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ocular diseases in horses.
- Genetic testing for multiple congenital ocular anomalies, congenital stationary night blindness, equine recurrent uveitis, and squamous cell carcinoma helps identify horses with or at risk for eye diseases.
- The early detection of these conditions through genetic testing can help in making informed clinical management decisions, improving the horse’s quality of life, and potentially prolonging its lifespan.
The Impact on Breeding Choices
- Beyond clinical management, genetic testing for ocular diseases plays a key role in making breeding decisions.
- Genetic testing enables breeders to identify horses with inherited eye disorders, thereby preventing the propagation of genes responsible for the diseases. This minimizes the number of offspring born with these conditions.
- By identifying horses at risk, breeders can make informed choices to create healthier horse populations in future generations.
Conclusion
The research concludes by summarizing the current understanding of inherited ocular disorders in horses. It suggests that advances in equine genetics have been integral to not only treating and managing these conditions but also informing breeding decisions to promote healthier horse populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Bellone RR.
(2020).
Genetics of Equine Ocular Disease.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 36(2), 303-322.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2020.03.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: rbellone@ucdavis.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Eye Diseases / genetics
- Eye Diseases / pathology
- Eye Diseases / veterinary
- Genetic Testing / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Vision Disorders / genetics
- Vision Disorders / pathology
- Vision Disorders / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Disclosure R.R. Bellone is affiliated with the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, a genetic testing laboratory offering diagnostic tests in horses and other species. Genetic investigation of ERU in the Appaloosa was supported by the Morris Animal Foundation Grant D16EQ-028. The mission of the Morris Animal Foundation is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Investigation of the inherited risk for ocular SCC was supported by Morris Animal Foundation Grant D13EQ-808 and by UC Davis Center for Equine Health Grants with funds provided by the State of California Pari-Mutuel Fund and contributions by private donors.
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Kirmse L, Thieme K, Doherr MG, Eule JC. Evaluation of Laboratory Techniques for the Diagnosis of Leptospira-Associated Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) With Focus on the Goldmann-Witmer Coefficient. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70132.
- Chow L, Flaherty E, Pezzanite L, Williams M, Dow S, Wotman K. Impact of Equine Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia on Interactions between Ocular Transcriptome and Microbiome. Vet Sci 2024 Apr 7;11(4).
- Wotman KL, Chow L, Martabano B, Pezzanite LM, Dow S. Novel ocular immunotherapy induces tumor regression in an equine model of ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023 May;72(5):1185-1198.
- Avila F, Hughes SS, Magdesian KG, Penedo MCT, Bellone RR. Breed Distribution and Allele Frequencies of Base Coat Color, Dilution, and White Patterning Variants across 28 Horse Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2022 Sep 13;13(9).
- Wollanke B, Gerhards H, Ackermann K. Infectious Uveitis in Horses and New Insights in Its Leptospiral Biofilm-Related Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2022 Feb 7;10(2).
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