Mapping quantitative trait loci for osteochondrosis in fetlock and hock joints and palmar/plantar osseus fragments in fetlock joints of South German Coldblood horses.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for osteochondrosis (OC) and palmar/plantar osseous fragments (POF) in fetlock joints in a whole-genome scan of 219 South German Coldblood horses. Symptoms of OC and POF were checked by radiography in 117 South German Coldblood horses at a mean age of 17 months. The radiographic examination comprised the fetlock and hock joints of all limbs. The genome scan included 157 polymorphic microsatellite markers. All microsatellite markers were equally spaced over the 31 autosomes and the X chromosome, with an average distance of 17.7 cM and a mean polymorphism information content (PIC) of 63%. Sixteen chromosomes harbouring putative QTL regions were further investigated by genotyping the animals with 93 additional markers. QTL that had chromosome-wide significance by non-parametric Z-means and LOD scores were found on 10 chromosomes. This included seven QTL for fetlock OC and one QTL on ECA18 associated with hock OC and fetlock OC. Significant QTL for POF in fetlock joints were located on equine chromosomes 1, 4, 8, 12 and 18. This genome scan is an important step towards the identification of genes responsible for OC in horses.
Publication Date: 2007-06-09 PubMed ID: 17559552DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2007.01610.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explored the genetic loci linked to osteochondrosis and bone fragments in the fetlock joints of South German Coldblood horses. The study was extensive, involving a genome-wide scan and radiographic examinations of the horses.
Research Context and Aim
- This research aimed to locate the quantitative trait loci (QTL) – specific positions in the genome that are associated with the traits – for osteochondrosis (OC) and palmar/plantar osseous fragments (POF) in the fetlock joints of South German Coldblood horses.
- Osteochondrosis is a bone and cartilage development disorder in horses, while palmar/plantar osseous fragments refer to the bone fragments that may develop in hoof/hock joints.
- The study was significant in seeking genetic markers for these health disorders in horses to facilitate prevention and treatment.
Methodology
- The study used radiography to examine the presence of OC and POF in 117 South German Coldblood horses, which were on average 17 months old.
- Fetlock and hock joints of all limbs were scrutinized during the radiographic examination.
- Subsequently, a whole-genome scan of 219 South German Coldblood horses was conducted, using 157 polymorphic microsatellite markers which are small repeating sequences of DNA that display variation within a species.
- The microsatellite markers were equally spaced over the 31 autosomes (non-sex chromosomes) and the X chromosome, with an average distance of 17.7 centimorgan (cM) – a unit of measure for the distance between genetic markers on a chromosome – and a mean polymorphism information content (PIC) of 63%. PIC represents the likelihood that a random selected allele will be heterozygous, and reflects the genetic diversity.
- Sixteen chromosomes harbouring potential QTL regions were further investigated by genotyping the horses with 93 additional markers.
Findings
- Through non-parametric Z-means and LOD scores – statistical tools for quantifying evidence for linkage in genetic studies – QTL that had chromosome-wide significance were identified on 10 chromosomes.
- This included seven QTLs for fetlock OC and one QTL on ECA18 associated with hock OC and fetlock OC.
- Significant QTLs for POF in fetlock joints were located on equine chromosomes 1, 4, 8, 12, and 18.
Significance of the Study
- The study provides an advanced step towards the identification of genes responsible for OC in horses.
- The identified QTLs can be used for the further study of these disorders, opening up potential for genetic prevention and better treatment.
Cite This Article
APA
Wittwer C, Löhring K, Drögemüller C, Hamann H, Rosenberger E, Distl O.
(2007).
Mapping quantitative trait loci for osteochondrosis in fetlock and hock joints and palmar/plantar osseus fragments in fetlock joints of South German Coldblood horses.
Anim Genet, 38(4), 350-357.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2007.01610.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthrography / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb
- Genetic Markers
- Genome
- Genotype
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses
- Joints
- Male
- Osteochondritis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteochondritis / genetics
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Quantitative Trait Loci
- Tarsus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Toe Phalanges / diagnostic imaging
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Raudsepp T, Finno CJ, Bellone RR, Petersen JL. Ten years of the horse reference genome: insights into equine biology, domestication and population dynamics in the post-genome era.. Anim Genet 2019 Dec;50(6):569-597.
- Bates JT, Jacobs JC Jr, Shea KG, Oxford JT. Emerging genetic basis of osteochondritis dissecans.. Clin Sports Med 2014 Apr;33(2):199-220.
- Corbin LJ, Blott SC, Swinburne JE, Sibbons C, Fox-Clipsham LY, Helwegen M, Parkin TD, Newton JR, Bramlage LR, McIlwraith CW, Bishop SC, Woolliams JA, Vaudin M. A genome-wide association study of osteochondritis dissecans in the Thoroughbred.. Mamm Genome 2012 Apr;23(3-4):294-303.
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