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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Genomics / Genomic analysis establishes correlation between growth and ...
BMC genomics2014; 15; 259; doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-259

Genomic analysis establishes correlation between growth and laryngeal neuropathy in Thoroughbreds.

Abstract: Equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is a bilateral mononeuropathy with an unknown pathogenesis that significantly affects performance in Thoroughbreds. A genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of RLN is suggested by the higher prevalence of the condition in offspring of RLN-affected than unaffected stallions. To better understand RLN pathogenesis and its genetic basis, we performed a genome-wide association (GWAS) of 282 RLN-affected and 268 control Thoroughbreds. Results: We found a significant association of RLN with the LCORL/NCAPG locus on ECA3 previously shown to affect body size in horses. Using height at the withers of 505 of these horses, we confirmed the strong association of this locus with body size, and demonstrated a significant phenotypic and genetic correlation between height and RLN grade in this cohort. Secondary genetic associations for RLN on ECA18 and X did not correlate with withers height in our cohort, but did contain candidate genes likely influencing muscle physiology and growth: myostatin (MSTN) and integral membrane protein 2A (ITM2A). Conclusions: This linkage between body size and RLN suggests that selective breeding to reduce RLN prevalence would likely reduce adult size in this population. However, our results do not preclude the possibility of modifier loci that attenuate RLN risk without reducing size or performance, or that the RLN risk allele is distinct but tightly linked to the body size locus on ECA3. This study is both the largest body size GWAS and the largest RLN GWAS within Thoroughbred horses to date, and suggests that improved understanding of the relationship between genetics, equine growth rate, and RLN prevalence may significantly advance our understanding and management of this disease.
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Publication Date: 2014-04-03 PubMed ID: 24707981PubMed Central: PMC4051171DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-259Google 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 explores the genetic causes of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), a disease affecting Thoroughbred horses, demonstrating that there is a strong correlation between the genetic factors influencing horse body size and the development of RLN. It suggests that any selective breeding to minimize RLN disease prevalence would need to account for potential reductions in adult body size.

Research Context and Methodology

  • The pathogenesis of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), a common disease affecting the respiratory function of Thoroughbred horses, remains unknown. However, this study was anchored on the notion that a genetic factor is possibly involved. This hypothesis stems from observations of higher disease prevalence in offspring of RLN-affected stallions compared to those unaffected.
  • To investigate the genetic basis of RLN, a genome-wide association (GWAS) study was conducted on a cohort of 282 RLN-affected and 268 unaffected Thoroughbreds.

Results and Findings

  • The research found a significant association between RLN and the LCORL/NCAPG locus on ECA3, a genetic segment previously shown to affect body size in horses. The association between body size and this genetic locus was confirmed using height measurements of 505 horses from the study group.
  • Crucially, the researchers observed a significant correlation between horse height (indicating body size) and the grade of RLN, indicating a potential shared genetic basis.
  • Two other genetic associations for RLN were identified on the ECA18 and X chromosomes, which didn’t have any correlation with body size but were found to contain genes, MSTN and ITM2A, that influence muscle physiology and growth.
  • The research concludes that selective breeding to minimize RLN prevalence in Thoroughbreds could potentially reduce adult body size in the population. However, this doesn’t negate the possibility of other genes potentially having an attenuating effect on RLN risk without affecting body size or performance.

Significance and Implications of the Study

  • This study holds significance as the largest genome-wide association study exploring body size and RLN disease within Thoroughbred horses until now. It thus represents an emphasis on understanding the relationship between genetics, equine growth rate, and RLN prevalence.
  • The findings highlight the complexities of selective breeding in animals, showing that tempering with one genetic trait may directly or indirectly influence another.
  • Fundamentally, the research suggests a path for managing RLN disease through a genetic understanding, with potential implications for similar genetic diseases in other animal species.

Cite This Article

APA
Boyko AR, Brooks SA, Behan-Braman A, Castelhano M, Corey E, Oliveira KC, Swinburne JE, Todhunter RJ, Zhang Z, Ainsworth DM, Robinson NE. (2014). Genomic analysis establishes correlation between growth and laryngeal neuropathy in Thoroughbreds. BMC Genomics, 15, 259. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-259

Publication

BMC genomics
ISSN: 1471-2164
NlmUniqueID: 100965258
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Pages: 259

Researcher Affiliations

Boyko, Adam R
    Brooks, Samantha A
      Behan-Braman, Ashley
        Castelhano, Marta
          Corey, Elizabeth
            Oliveira, Kyle C
              Swinburne, June E
                Todhunter, Rory J
                  Zhang, Zhiwu
                    Ainsworth, Dorothy M
                      Robinson, Norman Edward
                      • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. robinson@cvm.msu.edu.

                      MeSH Terms

                      • Alleles
                      • Animals
                      • Body Size / genetics
                      • Case-Control Studies
                      • Chromosome Mapping
                      • Female
                      • Gene Frequency
                      • Genetic Markers
                      • Genome-Wide Association Study
                      • Genotype
                      • Haplotypes
                      • Horse Diseases / genetics
                      • Horses
                      • Linkage Disequilibrium
                      • Male
                      • Phenotype
                      • Quantitative Trait Loci
                      • Quantitative Trait, Heritable

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