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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Res Notes / Heritability estimates of the position and number of facial ...
BMC research notes2019; 12(1); 346; doi: 10.1186/s13104-019-4386-x

Heritability estimates of the position and number of facial hair whorls in Thoroughbred horses.

Abstract: According to oral traditions of horse caretakers and trainers, the differences in the position and number of facial hair whorls may be associated with temperamental traits. Elucidating genetic background of facial hair whorls and its relationship to temperamental traits may promote more efficient breeding and maintenance of racehorses. In this study, we estimated heritabilities of the position and number of facial hair whorls in Japanese Thoroughbred horses. Results: The number of facial hair whorls varied from one to four and heritability estimate in 4024 Thoroughbred horses was low (h2= 0.160). The positions of facial hair whorls were categorized into high, medium, and low, based on their locations. This trait was estimated to have high heritability (h2= 0.643) in 3782 Thoroughbred horses. These results indicated that a larger proportion of the variation in the studied population was due to genetic factors for facial hair whorls position. Because a similar result was also observed in another horse breed, Polish Konik horses, high heritability of facial hair whorl position may be characteristic of multiple horse breeds. We expect that these results will stimulate future studies to elucidate the relationship among temperamental traits and facial hair whorls in all horse breeds.
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Publication Date: 2019-06-18 PubMed ID: 31215455PubMed Central: PMC6582570DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4386-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article is about a study that estimates the heritability of the position and number of facial hair whorls in Thoroughbred horses, implying a genetic link to these traits. The researchers posit that understanding these features better could impact the breeding and maintenance of race horses.

Objective of the Research

  • This research aims to explore the genetic background of facial hair whorls and their relationship to the temperamental traits of Japanese Thoroughbred horses. The overarching goal is to promote more efficient breeding and maintenance of racehorses.

Methodology

  • The researchers assessed the number of facial hair whorls in a sample of 4024 Thoroughbred horses, which varied from one to four whorls per horse.
  • The position of facial hair whorls was categorized into three levels: high, medium, and low based on their locations on the horse’s face. This was evaluated in a smaller sample size of 3782 horses.

Results

  • The heritability estimate for the number of facial hair whorls was found to be low (h= 0.160). This indicates that only a small portion of the differences in the number of whorls is due to genetic factors.
  • However, the heritability for the position of facial hair whorls was estimated to be high (h= 0.643). This suggests that the placement of whorls on a horse’s face is largely influenced by genetics.
  • Interestingly, a similar pattern was also observed in a different breed – Polish Konik horses – suggesting that the high heritability of facial hair whorl position could be characteristic of multiple horse breeds.

Significance of the Study

  • By illustrating that the position of facial hair whorls is heavily influenced by genetics, the research provides insights that can stimulate further studies into the correlation between temperamental traits and facial hair whorls in various horse breeds.
  • This knowledge may assist in predicting temperamental traits in horses based on the position of their facial hair whorls, thus aiding in efficient breeding and maintenance processes.

Cite This Article

APA
Yokomori T, Tozaki T, Mita H, Miyake T, Kakoi H, Kobayashi Y, Kusano K, Itou T. (2019). Heritability estimates of the position and number of facial hair whorls in Thoroughbred horses. BMC Res Notes, 12(1), 346. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4386-x

Publication

BMC research notes
ISSN: 1756-0500
NlmUniqueID: 101462768
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: 346

Researcher Affiliations

Yokomori, Tamu
  • Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.
Tozaki, Teruaki
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320-0851, Japan. ttozaki@lrc.or.jp.
Mita, Hiroshi
  • Clinical Veterinary Medicine Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0412, Japan.
Miyake, Takeshi
  • Comparative Agricultural Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-852, Japan.
Kakoi, Hironaga
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 320-0851, Japan.
Kobayashi, Yuki
  • Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.
Kusano, Kanichi
  • Racehorse Hospital Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, 1028 Misono, Ritto, Shiga, 520-3085, Japan.
Itou, Takuya
  • Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan. itou.takuya@nihon-u.ac.jp.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Face
  • Hair / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / genetics
  • Inheritance Patterns / genetics
  • Phenotype

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References

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