Genome-wide association mapping and examination of possible maternal effect for the pace trait of horses.
Abstract: Previously, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) related to gait type was identified at position 22 999 655 of chromosome 23 in the coding region of DMRT3 (DMRT3:Ser301Ter) by showing that a cytosine (C) to adenine (A) mutation of this SNP induced pace in the Icelandic horse. We investigated the effect of DMRT3:Ser301Ter on the gait of Hokkaido Native Horses, a Japanese native breed, and examined genetic factors other than DMRT3 by exploring genome-wide SNPs related to gait determination. All animals exhibiting pace were AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter, confirming the association of DMRT3:Ser301Ter with gait determination; however, 14.3% of the animals exhibiting trot also had AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter, suggesting the presence of another factor(s) cooperatively working with DMRT3:Ser301Ter for gait determination. SNPs on chromosomes 13 and 23 were detected by genome-wide association analysis (false discovery rate <0.05), although SNPs on chromosome 23 were all located in the vicinity of DMRT3:Ser301Ter, confirming the association with DMRT3. A genome-wide association study targeting only animals with AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter to examine genetic factors cooperatively working with DMRT3:Ser301Ter for gait determination suggested associations of 23 SNPs on six chromosomes. In a series of analyses of the effect of a maternal factor (dam's gait) on gait determination, the effect was suggested in comparison of the frequencies of exhibiting pace in gait checks in only two animal groups having dams with different DMRT3:Ser301Ter genotypes (P < 0.05), suggesting that the gait of the dam does not have a major effect on whether progeny homozygous for the DMRT3:Ser301Ter mutation will preferentially pace or trot.
© 2018 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
Publication Date: 2018-08-14 PubMed ID: 30109696DOI: 10.1111/age.12711Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research explores the genetic factors that affect the gait of horses, focusing on a specific genetic mutation (DMRT3:Ser301Ter) and its association with the pace trait in two different horse breeds, Icelandic and Hokkaido Native Horses. The findings revealed that while this mutation is strongly associated with the pacing gait, other genetic factors are likely at work, particularly for the trotting gait.
Genome-Wide Genetic Mapping
- The researchers primarily focused on a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) named DMRT3:Ser301Ter in the DMRT3 gene located on chromosome 23. This polymorphism was previously suggested to determine the gait in horses.
- A thorough genome-wide association mapping was carried out within the Hokkaido Native Horses breed to explore other possible genetic factors outside the DMRT3 mutation that could influence gait.
Gait and DMRT3:Ser301Ter Mutation
- The study confirmed the SNP’s association with gait when they found that all horses exhibiting the pace were carrying AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter, where A refers to the changed nucleotide adenine in SNP.
- Notably, 14.3% of the horses that showed trotting also contained the AA variant of the genetic mutation, indicating other influential genetic factors could play a role in the trotting gait.
Other Genetic Factors Linked to Gait
- Upon performing genome-wide association analysis, SNPs on chromosomes 13 and 23 were detected. SNPs on chromosome 23 were all located near DMRT3:Ser301Ter, reasserting its role in gait determination.
- Additionally, a targeted genome-wide mapping of only those animals with AA variant for DMRT3 revealed associations with numerous SNPs on six different chromosomes, suggesting more complex genetics behind the determination of gait.
Maternal Effect on Gait Determination
- The researchers also analyzed the possible influence of maternal factors on determining a horse’s gait. They compared the frequency of gait types among offspring with mothers of different DMRT3:Ser301Ter genotypes.
- The studies indicated that the maternal gait does not have a significant impact on the offspring’s gait, particularly whether the offspring would preferentially pace or trot.
Cite This Article
APA
Amano T, Onogi A, Yamada F, Kawai M, Shirai K, Ueda J.
(2018).
Genome-wide association mapping and examination of possible maternal effect for the pace trait of horses.
Anim Genet, 49(5), 461-463.
https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12711 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Sciences, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan.
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
- Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 056-0141, Japan.
- Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 056-0141, Japan.
- Hokkaido Native Horse Preservation Association, Hokkaido, 063-0804, Japan.
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Sciences, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Gait
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Horses / classification
- Horses / genetics
- Maternal Inheritance
- Transcription Factors / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Vincelette A. The Characteristics, Distribution, Function, and Origin of Alternative Lateral Horse Gaits. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 8;13(16).
- Yonetani Y, Nagano AJ, Ueno H, Amano T. Effects of Observed Incubation Behavior on Egg Production in Laying Hens of a Commercial Chicken Breed and Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with the Incubation Behavior. J Poult Sci 2022 Apr 25;59(2):121-128.
- Ricard A, Duluard A. Genomic analysis of gaits and racing performance of the French trotter. J Anim Breed Genet 2021 Mar;138(2):204-222.
- Herman M, Caceres AM, Albuquerque ALH, Leite RO, Araújo CET, Delfiol DJZ, Curi RA, Borges AS, Oliveira-Filho JP. DMRT3 Allele Frequencies in Batida- and Picada-Gaited Donkeys and Mules in Brazil. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 12;13(24).
- Sigurðardóttir H, Boije H, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjansson T, Rhodin M, Lindgren G, Eriksson S. The genetics of gaits in Icelandic horses goes beyond DMRT3, with RELN and STAU2 identified as two new candidate genes. Genet Sel Evol 2023 Dec 11;55(1):89.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
