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Scientific reports2023; 13(1); 18786; doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-46043-w

Genome-wide epigenetic modifications in sports horses during training as an adaptation phenomenon.

Abstract: With his bicentennial breeding history based on athletic performance, the Thoroughbred horse can be considered the equine sport breed. Although genomic and transcriptomic tools and knowledge are at the state of the art in equine species, the epigenome and its modifications in response to environmental stimuli, such as training, are less studied. One of the major epigenetic modifications is cytosine methylation at 5' of DNA molecules. This crucial biochemical modification directly mediates biological processes and, to some extent, determines the organisms' phenotypic plasticity. Exercise indeed affects the epigenomic state, both in humans and in horses. In this study, we highlight, with a genome-wide analysis of methylation, how the adaptation to training in the Thoroughbred can modify the methylation pattern throughout the genome. Twenty untrained horses, kept under the same environmental conditions and sprint training regimen, were recruited, collecting peripheral blood at the start of the training and after 30 and 90 days. Extracted leukocyte DNA was analyzed with the methylation content sensitive enzyme ddRAD (MCSeEd) technique for the first time applied to animal cells. Approximately one thousand differently methylated genomic regions (DMRs) and nearby genes were called, revealing that methylation changes can be found in a large part of the genome and, therefore, referable to the physiological adaptation to training. Functional analysis via GO enrichment was also performed. We observed significant differences in methylation patterns throughout the training stages: we hypothesize that the methylation profile of some genes can be affected early by training, while others require a more persistent stimulus.
© 2023. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2023-11-01 PubMed ID: 37914824PubMed Central: PMC10620398DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46043-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research investigates how athletic training can cause genome-wide changes, specifically in DNA methylation, which is a key regulator of biological functions and phenotypic adaptability, in Thoroughbred horses. Through analyzing the DNA from the leukocytes of twenty horses under a uniform training regimen, the study reveals changes in over a thousand genetic regions and suggests how these may signify physical adaptation to training.

Background of the Study

  • This study stems from the understanding that breeding Thoroughbred horses, recognized for their athletic performance, could be significantly informed by the state-of-the-art genomic and transcriptomic tools available today. Knowing how these horses adapt to training at a genetic level would allow for more refined breeding strategies.
  • However, the study also recognizes the dearth of research about the epigenome, specifically its modifications in response to environmental stimuli such as athletic training. One crucial phenomenon of interest is the methylation at the 5′ of DNA molecules, a significant biochemical modification that mediates numerous biological processes.
  • Exercise, the study acknowledges, can alter an organism’s epigenomic state. This research aims to understand how such genetic changes contribute to the Thoroughbred horse’s adaptation to training.

Methods of the Study

  • The researchers selected twenty untrained horses, ensuring they were kept under the same environmental conditions and underwent the same sprint training regimen.
  • Peripheral blood samples were collected from these horses at various stages: at the start of the training and after 30 and 90 days.
  • The collected leukocyte DNA was put under analysis using the ddRAD (MCSeEd) technique sensitive to methylation content, marking its initial application to animal cells.
  • The analysis aimed to detect Differently Methylated Regions (DMRs) and identify nearby genes that indicated significant changes due to the training.

Findings and Conclusion

  • The study found about a thousand Differently Methylated Regions (DMRs) and nearby genes. This suggests that a considerable part of the equine genome can be influenced by athletic training, hinting at the genetic basis of the horse’s physiological adaptation to exercise.
  • A Function analysis was carried out through GO enrichment to further corroborate the findings.
  • The study observed significant differences in methylation patterns throughout the different stages of the horse’s training. It was thus hypothesized that some genes might respond to training early on, while others may require a more sustained stimulus.

Cite This Article

APA
Cappelli K, Mecocci S, Porceddu A, Albertini E, Giontella A, Miglio A, Silvestrelli M, Verini Supplizi A, Marconi G, Capomaccio S. (2023). Genome-wide epigenetic modifications in sports horses during training as an adaptation phenomenon. Sci Rep, 13(1), 18786. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-46043-w

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 18786
PII: 18786

Researcher Affiliations

Cappelli, Katia
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
Mecocci, Samanta
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy. samanta.mecocci@unipg.it.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy. samanta.mecocci@unipg.it.
Porceddu, Andrea
  • Department of Agraria, University of Sassari, 06123, Sassari, Italy.
Albertini, Emidio
  • Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
Giontella, Andrea
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
Miglio, Arianna
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
Silvestrelli, Maurizio
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
Verini Supplizi, Andrea
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
Marconi, Gianpiero
  • Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121, Perugia, Italy.
Capomaccio, Stefano
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.
  • Sports Horse Research Center (CRCS), University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses / genetics
  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Genome
  • DNA Methylation
  • Sports
  • DNA / metabolism

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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