Loci impacting polymorphic gait in the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Abstract: Following domestication, man selected the horse primarily for the purpose of transportation rather than consumption; this selective strategy created divergent traits for locomotion. At intermediate speeds, beyond the flat walk, the horse can perform a range of diagonal and lateral 2-beat or 4-beat gait patterns. The Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) is the only U.S. breed able to perform an even-timed 4-beat gait (the "running-walk") at intermediate speeds; however, within the breed, there is remaining variation in gait type. To investigate the contribution of genetics to this unique trait, blood or hair samples for DNA and gait information were collected from 129 TWH and genotyping was performed at approximately 60,000 loci using the Illumina Equine SNP70 beadchip at GeneSeek Inc. (Lincoln, NE). Case-control association tests identified suggestive regions for gait type on equine chromosome (ECA) 19 (-value of 1.50 × 10 after 1 million permutations; PLINK version 1.07). Haplotype analysis identified 2 significant haplotypes on ECA19 and ECA11 (-values of 3.7 × 10 and 3.92 × 10, respectively). Genes within these suggestive regions play roles in developmental processes and biological regulation, indicating there may be variant differences in the neurobiology and regulation of horses with a polymorphic gait.
Publication Date: 2016-05-03 PubMed ID: 27135997DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9936Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigated the genetic traits responsible for the unique even-timed 4-beat gait pattern of Tennessee Walking Horses. Using genotyping on various loci from DNA samples, the study found that specific chromosomes and haplotypes may influence this trait, suggesting variant differences in the horses’ neurobiology and regulation.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The research aimed to understand the genetic origins of the unique gait pattern seen in the Tennessee Walking Horse. Specifically, the focus was on the even-timed 4-beat gait at intermediate speeds, a trait that varies within the breed.
- To undertake this study, the researchers collected blood or hair samples for DNA and gait information from 129 Tennessee Walking Horses. Genotyping was performed on these samples at around 60,000 loci using the Illumina Equine SNP70 beadchip.
Findings
- The researchers were able to identify suggestive regions for gait type on equine chromosome (ECA) 19. The association tests carried out helped in identifying this region.
- Haplotype analysis led to the identification of two significant haplotypes situated on ECA19 and ECA11. These haplotypes seem to play a substantial role in the unique 4-beat gait of the horses.
- Genes residing in these suggestive regions are found to have roles in developmental processes and biological regulation suggesting variant differences in horses with the unique gait. This implies that the gait might be a result of the neurobiological differences and varied regulation in these horses.
Implications
- This study provides a critical scientific understanding of the genetic traits responsible for the unique gait pattern of the Tennessee Walking Horses. This can help in selective breeding strategies and could ensure the continuation and conservation of this unique trait.
- The findings can contribute to existing knowledge on horse neurobiology and establish a link between genetics and behavior, further feeding into equine science and research.
- The methodology and findings might also find applications in studying genetic influences on locomotive patterns in other animal species.
Cite This Article
APA
Staiger EA, Abri MA, Silva CA, Brooks SA.
(2016).
Loci impacting polymorphic gait in the Tennessee Walking Horse.
J Anim Sci, 94(4), 1377-1386.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2015-9936 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- DNA / genetics
- Gait / physiology
- Genotype
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / genetics
- Locomotion / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Vincelette A. The Characteristics, Distribution, Function, and Origin of Alternative Lateral Horse Gaits.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 8;13(16).
- de Faria DA, do Prado Paim T, Dos Santos CA, Paiva SR, Nogueira MB, McManus C. Selection signatures for heat tolerance in Brazilian horse breeds.. Mol Genet Genomics 2022 Mar;297(2):449-462.
- Ricard A, Duluard A. Genomic analysis of gaits and racing performance of the French trotter.. J Anim Breed Genet 2021 Mar;138(2):204-222.
- Al Abri MA, Holl HM, Kalla SE, Sutter NB, Brooks SA. Whole genome detection of sequence and structural polymorphism in six diverse horses.. PLoS One 2020;15(4):e0230899.
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