Genome-wide association study in thoroughbred horses naturally infected with cyathostomins.
Abstract: Cyathostomins are considered one of the most important parasites of horses. A group of horses within a herd can be responsible for eliminating the majority of parasite eggs. This phenotype might be explained by genetic factors. This study aimed to identify genomic regions associated with fecal egg count (FEC) and hematological parameters by performing a genomic-wide association study (GWAS) in Thoroughbred horses naturally infected with cyathostomins. Packed cell volume (PCV), differential leukocyte, and FEC were determined from 90 horses. All animals were genotyped using the Illumina Equine 70 K BeadChip panel containing 65,157 SNP markers. The five genomic windows that have explained the highest percentage of the additive genetic variance of a specific trait (top 5) were further explored to identify candidate genes. A total of 33, 21, 30, 21, and 19 genes were identified for FEC, PCV, eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocyte count, respectively. The top 5 marker regions explained 2.86, 2.56, 2.73, 2.33, and 2.37% of the additive genetic variation of FEC, PCV, eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes count, respectively. This is the first study correlating phenotypic horse health traits to GWAS analysis, which may be used for animal breeding activities, reducing losses due to parasite infections.
Publication Date: 2022-07-20 PubMed ID: 35856721DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2099880Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research aimed to identify genetic factors in Thoroughbred horses that influence their susceptibility to cyathostomins, a significant parasite in horses, by conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Understanding these factors may aid in animal breeding strategies to reduce losses due to parasite infections.
Background
- Cyathostomins are one of the major parasites impacting horse health. While some horses in a herd can rid the majority of parasite eggs, others cannot. These differences in response to parasite infection appeared to be influenced by genetic factors.
- The goal of the study was to identify specific genomic regions linked to fecal egg count (FEC) and blood characteristics, such as packed cell volume (PCV) and differential leukocyte count. These are common parameters in diagnosing cyathostomin infection in horses.
Methodology
- 90 Thoroughbred horses naturally infected with cyathostomins were chosen for the study.
- The FEC, PCV, and differential leukocyte count was determined for each horse.
- The researchers used the Illumina Equine 70 K BeadChip panel, a tool that can distinguish 65,157 different genetic markers, to genotype the horses.
- The top five genomic regions that explained the highest percentage of the additive genetic variance for each trait were used to identify potential genes of interest.
Results
- A total of 124 genes were identified across all the five parameters: 33 related to FEC, 21 for PCV, 30 for eosinophils, 21 for neutrophils, and 19 for lymphocyte count.
- The top 5 marker regions explained between 2.33% and 2.86% of the additive genetic variation for each trait.
Conclusion
- The study represents the first effort to connect health characteristics of horses, specifically concerning cyathostomin infection, to genomic markers through GWAS.
- The findings have potential implications for animal breeding strategies, specifically in reducing losses caused by parasite infections by selecting for favourable genetic traits.
Cite This Article
APA
Dias De Castro LL, Oliveira Júnior GA, Perez BC, Carvalho ME, De Souza Ramos EA, Ferraz JBS, Molento MB.
(2022).
Genome-wide association study in thoroughbred horses naturally infected with cyathostomins.
Anim Biotechnol, 1-13.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10495398.2022.2099880 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Caxias do Sul. R: Francisco Getúlio Vargas, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
- College of Animal Science and Food Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil.
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
- College of Animal Science and Food Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil.
- College of Animal Science and Food Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Department of Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.
- College of Animal Science and Food Science, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- De Coster T, Zhao Y, Tšuiko O, Demyda-Peyrás S, Van Soom A, Vermeesch JR, Smits K. Genome-wide equine preimplantation genetic testing enabled by simultaneous haplotyping and copy number detection. Sci Rep 2024 Jan 23;14(1):2003.
- Buono F, Veneziano V, Veronesi F, Molento MB. Horse and donkey parasitology: differences and analogies for a correct diagnostic and management of major helminth infections. Parasitology 2023 Oct;150(12):1119-1138.
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