Genome Diversity and the Origin of the Arabian Horse.
Abstract: The Arabian horse, one of the world's oldest breeds of any domesticated animal, is characterized by natural beauty, graceful movement, athletic endurance, and, as a result of its development in the arid Middle East, the ability to thrive in a hot, dry environment. Here we studied 378 Arabian horses from 12 countries using equine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays and whole-genome re-sequencing to examine hypotheses about genomic diversity, population structure, and the relationship of the Arabian to other horse breeds. We identified a high degree of genetic variation and complex ancestry in Arabian horses from the Middle East region. Also, contrary to popular belief, we could detect no significant genomic contribution of the Arabian breed to the Thoroughbred racehorse, including Y chromosome ancestry. However, we found strong evidence for recent interbreeding of Thoroughbreds with Arabians used for flat-racing competitions. Genetic signatures suggestive of selective sweeps across the Arabian breed contain candidate genes for combating oxidative damage during exercise, and within the "Straight Egyptian" subgroup, for facial morphology. Overall, our data support an origin of the Arabian horse in the Middle East, no evidence for reduced global genetic diversity across the breed, and unique genetic adaptations for both physiology and conformation.
Publication Date: 2020-06-16 PubMed ID: 32546689PubMed Central: PMC7298027DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66232-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper titled “Genome Diversity and the Origin of the Arabian Horse” studies the genomic diversity, population structure, and the relationship of the Arabian horse to other horse breeds. Genetic studies were carried out on samples from 378 Arabian horses across 12 countries, and the findings showed a high degree of genetic variation and complex ancestry amongst these horses, but no significant genomic contribution to the Thoroughbred racehorse.
Objective of the study
- The research aimed to understand the genomic diversity, population structure, and the relationship of the Arabian horse to other breeds.
- It also sought to clarify hypotheses about the contribution of the Arabian breed to the Thoroughbred racehorse.
Methods utilized in the study
- 378 Arabian horses from 12 different countries were studied using equine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays and whole-genome re-sequencing.
- This high throughput technique allowed for a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the Arabian horses’ genetics.
Major findings of the study
- The study found a high degree of genetic variation and complex ancestry in Arabian horses, particularly those from the Middle East region.
- Contrary to popular belief, the study found no significant genomic contribution of the Arabian breed to the Thoroughbred racehorse.
- However, there was strong evidence for recent interbreeding of Thoroughbreds with Arabians used for flat-racing competitions.
- Additionally, genetic signatures suggestive of selective sweeps across the Arabian breed were discovered, containing candidate genes that help combat oxidative damage during exercise. Within the “Straight Egyptian” subgroup, genes related to facial morphology were also identified.
Conclusions drawn from the study
- The findings support an origin of the Arabian horse in the Middle East, breaking ground on the understanding of this breed’s evolutionary history.
- The researchers further concluded that there was no evidence for reduced global genetic diversity across the Arabian breed.
- Unique genetic adaptations for both physiology and conformation were found, evidencing the breed’s resilience and adaptation over time.
Cite This Article
APA
Cosgrove EJ, Sadeghi R, Schlamp F, Holl HM, Moradi-Shahrbabak M, Miraei-Ashtiani SR, Abdalla S, Shykind B, Troedsson M, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Prabhu A, Bucca S, Bugno-Poniewierska M, Wallner B, Malek J, Miller DC, Clark AG, Antczak DF, Brooks SA.
(2020).
Genome Diversity and the Origin of the Arabian Horse.
Sci Rep, 10(1), 9702.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66232-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
- Prevail Therapeutics; New York, New York, 10016, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546, USA.
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Kraków, Poland.
- Equine Hospital at Sha Tin Racecourse, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong, China.
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Kraków, Poland.
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. Samantha.brooks@ufl.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Genetic Variation / genetics
- Genome / genetics
- Haplotypes / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
- Y Chromosome / genetics
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
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