Genomic-Inbreeding Landscape and Selection Signatures in the Polo Argentino Horse Breed.
Abstract: Analyzing genetic variability and inbreeding trends is essential for effective breed management in animal populations. To this, the characterization of runs of homozygosity (ROH) provides a good genomic approach to study the phenomena. The Polo Argentino (PA) breed, globally recognized as the best adapted to playing polo, is known for its strong influence of Thoroughbreds, intense selective breeding, and extensive use of reproductive biotechnologies. This study investigates the PA's genomic variability, by characterizing the ROH landscape and identifying ROH islands (ROHi) as potential genomic footprints for the breed. PA horses ( = 506) were genotyped using EquineGGP™ array v5 (70 k). We calculated the inbreeding coefficient based on ROH (F-ancestral and recent) using a chromosomal approach. Finally, we identified genomic regions with increased ROH frequency (ROHi) and their associated genes. An average of 79.5 ROH per horse was detected, with a mean length of 4.6 Mb. The average F was 0.151, but most of them (54%) corresponded to ancestral inbreeding (ROH < 5.5 Mb). However, 4 ROHi were identified in ECA 1, 3, 7 and 17, containing 67 genes, some of which were related to behavior, neurodevelopment, and metabolic functions. This genomic analysis determined, for the first time, the length and location of homozygosity segments in the PA breed and identified ROHi associated with potential genomic regions and genes for positive selection in the breed.
Publication Date: 2024-12-24 PubMed ID: 39795883PubMed Central: PMC11720259DOI: 10.3390/ijms26010026Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research focuses on understanding the genetic diversity and levels of inbreeding in the Polo Argentino horse breed. Through genomic analysis, the study identifies areas of homozygosity, regions with increased homozygosity, and their relation to certain genes.
Objective of the Study
- The study aims to analyze the genetic variability and inbreeding trends in the Polo Argentino (PA) horse breed using a genomic approach.
- It seeks to identify runs of homozygosity (ROH) – regions where two identical segments of a chromosome are inherited from both parents, and their associated genes in the breed.
- The research also aims to find “ROH islands” (ROHi), which are genomic regions with increased ROH occurrence that could have influenced the breed’s characteristics.
Methodology
- A total of 506 Polo Argentino horses were genotyped using EquineGGP™ array v5 (70 k), a tool that helps identify genetic variants in equine populations.
- They calculated the inbreeding coefficient (F) based on the ROH using a chromosomal approach. Two types were considered: F-ancestral (ROH < 5.5Mb) and recent.
- They then identified regions with high ROH frequency (ROHi) and the associated genes within these regions.
Results and Findings
- An average of 79.5 ROH per horse was detected, with a mean length of 4.6Mb.
- The average inbreeding coefficient (F) was 0.151. Most of the inbreeding detected (54%) was ancestral inbreeding (ROH < 5.5Mb).
- Four ROHi were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 7, and 17, containing 67 genes. Some of these genes were associated with behavior, neurodevelopment, and metabolic functions.
Conclusion
- This study, for the first time, defines and locates homozygosity segments in the Polo Argentino breed.
- It also recognizes areas of increased homozygosity (ROHi) linked with potentially beneficial genomic regions and genes – a key insight for selecting traits in the breed’s management.
Cite This Article
APA
Azcona F, Molina A, Demyda-Peyrás S.
(2024).
Genomic-Inbreeding Landscape and Selection Signatures in the Polo Argentino Horse Breed.
Int J Mol Sci, 26(1), 26.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010026 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Cátedra de Medicina Equina, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118 s/n, La Plata 1900, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT La Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina.
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, CN IV KM 396 Edificio Gregor Mendel, 14007 Córdoba, Spain.
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, CN IV KM 396 Edificio Gregor Mendel, 14007 Córdoba, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / genetics
- Inbreeding
- Homozygote
- Selection, Genetic
- Genomics / methods
- Genome
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Selective Breeding / genetics
- Breeding
- Male
- Female
Grant Funding
- PID2018-0003 / Agencia Nacional de Promociu00f3n de la Investigaciu00f3n, el Desarrollo Tecnolu00f3gico y la Innovaciu00f3n
- RYC2021-031781-I / MINECO
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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