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Animal genetics2021; 52(3); 304-310; doi: 10.1111/age.13056

Investigating the population structure and genetic diversity of Arabian horses in Oman using SNP markers.

Abstract: Arabian horses were selected for metabolic efficiency, beauty, efficiency and endurance. Therefore, Bedouins have for centuries traced their prized horses' ancestries. With the establishment of the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO), registration of Arabian horses became centralized and countries worldwide registered them in its database. Most existing Arabian horses in Oman today were imported after the 1970s and are predominantly flat-racing Arabians. This work aimed at revealing the genetic background and diversity of Omani Arabian horses by comparing them with Arabian horses from a diverse genetic background. To that end, we genotyped 63 randomly sampled Arabian horses from Oman using the Illumina Equine SNP70. For comparison, SNP genotypes of 12 Saudi Arabian horses, 27 French, 77 Egyptian, 11 Polish and 36 US Arabians were included in the study. We additionally included 17 Thoroughbred horses and 21 horses representing large and small breeds as an outgroup. Our MDS analysis and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Arabian horses in Oman cluster primarily with French Arabian horses, with a few horses clustering within the Polish/US Arabians. The French Arabian horse cluster was the closest to the Thoroughbred horses. Amongst the Arabian horses, plink average genomic inbreeding levels were highest in the Egyptian Arabian (0.169) followed by the Saudi Arabian horses (0.137) and lowest in the Omani and French Arabian horses, -0.041 and -0.079 respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the genetic background and diversity of Arabian horses in Oman. Our results demonstrated a definite subpopulation structure among Arabian horses and this information should advise future decision-making on Arabian horse breeding.
© 2021 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-17 PubMed ID: 33730759DOI: 10.1111/age.13056Google 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 the genetic background and diversity of Arabian horses in Oman by comparing them with Arabian horses from different backgrounds using SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers, and it is the first study of its kind. The study reveals definite subpopulation among Arabian horses and can guide future breeding decisions.

Background of the Study

  • Arabian horses are admired for their metabolic efficiency, beauty, and endurance, making them prized assets for centuries amongst Bedouins who diligently traced their horses’ ancestries.
  • With the founding of the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO), Arabian horse registration has become centralized, with countries around the world registering these horses in its database.
  • The majority of Arabian horses in Oman today were imported after the 1970s and are mainly flat-racing Arabians.

Aim and Methodology of the Study

  • This study aimed to uncover the genetic background and diversity of Oman’s Arabian horses by comparing them with Arabian horses from a diverse genetic background.
  • To achieve this objective, the study genotyped 63 randomly selected Arabian horses from Oman using the Illumina Equine SNP70.
  • In addition, SNP genotypes of Arabian horses from other regions (12 from Saudi Arabia, 27 from France, 77 from Egypt, 11 from Poland, and 36 from the United States) were included for comparison.
  • The study also included 17 Thoroughbred horses and 21 horses from large and small breeds as an outgroup.

Findings of the Study

  • Both MDS (Multidimensional Scaling) analysis and phylogenetic analysis indicated that Arabian horses in Oman primarily cluster with French Arabian horses, with few horses clustering within the Polish/US Arabians.
  • This suggests that the French Arabian horse cluster is the closest to the Thoroughbred horses.
  • Among all the Arabian horses, the average genomic inbreeding levels were highest in the Egyptian Arabian horses followed by the Saudi Arabian horses, and lowest in the Omani and French Arabian horses.

Implication of the Findings

  • This study acts as the first report on the genetic background and diversity of Arabian horses in Oman.
  • The findings, revealing a definitive subpopulation structure among Arabian horses, can inform future decisions regarding Arabian horse breeding.

This research not only enhances our genetic understanding of Arabian horses specific to Oman—something that was not previously studied—but also provides important genetic insights that could aid in their breeding, conserving their unique traits, and securing their future sustainability.

Cite This Article

APA
Al Abri MA, Brooks SA, Al-Saqri N, Alkharousi K, Johnson EH, Alqaisi O, Al-Rawahi A, Al Marzooqi W. (2021). Investigating the population structure and genetic diversity of Arabian horses in Oman using SNP markers. Anim Genet, 52(3), 304-310. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13056

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 1365-2052
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 3
Pages: 304-310

Researcher Affiliations

Al Abri, M A
  • Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khod, Muscat, 123, Oman.
Brooks, S A
  • Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
Al-Saqri, N
  • Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khod, Muscat, 123, Oman.
Alkharousi, K
  • Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khod, Muscat, 123, Oman.
Johnson, E H
  • Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khod, Muscat, 123, Oman.
Alqaisi, O
  • Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khod, Muscat, 123, Oman.
Al-Rawahi, A
  • The Royal Cavalry of Oman, PO Box 70, Al Seeb, Muscat, 111, Oman.
Al Marzooqi, W
  • Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khod, Muscat, 123, Oman.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genetics, Population
  • Genotype
  • Horses / genetics
  • Inbreeding
  • Male
  • Oman
  • Phylogeny

Grant Funding

  • IG/AGR/ANVS/17/02 / Sultan Qaboos University

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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  2. Önder H, Şen U, Piwczyński D, Kolenda M, Drewka M, Abacı SH, Takma Ç. Comparison of Random Regression Models with Different Order Legendre Polynomials for Genetic Parameter Estimation on Race Completion Speed of Arabian Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 30;12(19).
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