Identification of horse chestnut coat color genotype using SNaPshot.
Abstract: The Cantabrian Coast horse breeds of the Iberian Peninsula have mainly black or bay colored coats, but alleles responsible for a chestnut coat color run in these breeds and occasionally, chestnut horses are born. Chestnut coat color is caused by two recessive alleles, e and e(a), of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene, whereas the presence of the dominant, wild-type E allele produces black or bay coat horses. Because black or bay colored coats are considered as the purebred phenotype for most of the breeds from this region, it is important to have a fast and reliable method to detect alleles causing chestnut coat color in horses. Results: In order to assess coat color genotype in reproductive animals with a view to avoiding those bearing chestnut alleles, we have developed a reliable, fast and cost-effective screening device which involves Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) detection based on SNaPshot((R) )(Applied Biosystems) methodology. We have applied this method to four native breeds from the Iberian Cantabrian Coast: Pottoka and Jaca Navarra pony breeds, in which only black or bay coats are acceptable, and Euskal Herriko Mendiko Zaldia and Burguete heavy breeds, in which chestnut coats are acceptable. The frequency of the chestnut alleles ranged between f = 0.156-0.322 in pony breeds and between f = 0.604-0.716 in heavy breeds. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the usefulness of the DNA methodology reported herein as a device for identifying chestnut alleles; the methodology constitutes a valuable tool for breeders to decrease the incidence of chestnut animals among Cantabrian Coast pony breeds.
Publication Date: 2009-12-16 PubMed ID: 20015355PubMed Central: PMC2805676DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-2-255Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research discusses the development of a reliable, efficient, and budget-friendly mechanism for detecting the genotype responsible for chestnut coat color in horses, particularly the Cantabrian Coast horse breeds, using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and SNaPshot(R) technology.
Context and Purpose of the Study
- The study focuses on the Cantabrian Coast horse breeds native to the Iberian Peninsula. These breeds primarily have black or bay coats, but occasionally, chestnut colored horses are born due to certain recessive alleles (e and e(a)) present in the melanocortin-1 receptor gene.
- The researchers aimed to develop a quick, reliable, and cost-effective technique for detecting these chestnut color-causing alleles, as purebred phenotypes of these breeds typically exhibit black or bay colored coats.
- The primary goal was to assist breeders in identifying and regulating these recessive alleles to reduce the birth of chestnut horses, particularly in breeds where only the black or bay coat is deemed acceptable.
Methodology and Application
- The research involved utilizing SNaPshot(R) methodology, a type of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) detection mechanism. SNP refers to occurrences when a single nucleotide in the shared sequence of a gene varies between individuals of a species.
- The method was applied to four native Iberian Cantabrian Coast breeds: Pottoka and Jaca Navarra (where only black or bay coats are acceptable), and Euskal Herriko Mendiko Zaldia and Burguete (where chestnut coats are permissible).
Results and Conclusion
- The researchers found variable frequencies of the chestnut alleles in the studied breeds. The frequency ranged between f = 0.156-0.322 in pony breeds and between f = 0.604-0.716 in heavy breeds.
- The study validates the effectiveness of the SNaPshot(R) methodology in identifying chestnut alleles, offering breeders an efficient tool for reducing the emergence of chestnut coat colored horses in Cantabrian Coast pony breeds.
Cite This Article
APA
Rendo F, Iriondo M, Manzano C, Estonba A.
(2009).
Identification of horse chestnut coat color genotype using SNaPshot.
BMC Res Notes, 2, 255.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-2-255 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, E-48940 Bilbao, Spain.
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