Plasma concentration of dopamine varies depending on breed, sex, and the genotype of DRD4 in horses.
Abstract: Dopamine (DA) is known to be a key modulator of animal behaviors. Thus, the plasma concentration of DA might be used as a biomarker for the behavioral characteristics of horses. The behavioral characteristics of horses vary depending on the breed, age, and sex. Moreover, the DA receptor genotypes are also related to horse behaviors. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the DA concentration variations of horse plasma by breed, age, sex, or genotype of its receptor. The horses were divided by breed into Thoroughbred (n = 13), Pony (n = 9), Warmblood (n = 4), and Haflinger (n = 5). The age variable was divided into three different groups: post-pubertal (2-5 years, n = 6), adult (6-13 years, n = 19), and aged horses (15-24 years, n = 6). The sex variable was divided into geldings (n = 8) and mares (n = 23). Approximately 10 mL of blood was collected, and an ELISA kit was used to measure the plasma concentration of DA. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to identify the genetic variation in the DA D4 receptor gene (). SPSS statistical software was used for statistical analysis. The DA concentrations in geldings were significantly lower than those in mares. There was no significant difference in DA concentrations among breed and age groups. Horses with the GG and GA genotypes had significantly higher plasma concentrations of DA compared to horses with the AA genotype for the G292A gene. Briefly, the plasma concentration of DA varied depending on the sex and genotype of G292A. These factors should be considered when the concentration of DA is used as a biomarker for the behavioral characteristics of horses. In conclusion, the DA concentration or genotype of horse plasma has the potential to be used as a biomarker that can predict the behavioral characteristics of horses.
© Copyright 2022 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology.
Publication Date: 2022-07-31 PubMed ID: 35969706PubMed Central: PMC9353348DOI: 10.5187/jast.2022.e44Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research aimed to study the variations in the dopamine concentration in horses based on different factors such as breed, age, sex, and genotype of the dopamine receptor. The study found that the plasma concentrations of dopamine depended largely on the sex and genotype of the horse and suggested that these factors should be considered when using dopamine concentration as a behavioral biomarker in horses.
Research Objective and Methodology
- The primary goal of this research was to understand the variations in dopamine (DA) concentration in horse plasma based on different parameters – breed, age, sex, and genotype of its receptor. Dopamine is a pivotal modulator of animal behaviors and its concentration in the blood could potentially help predict horses’ behavioral characteristics.
- The researchers divided the test horses into various categories based on breed, age, and sex. The breeds included Thoroughbred, Pony, Warmblood, and Haflinger. The age groups were post-pubertal, adult and aged horses and the sex division included geldings and mares.
- The study employed an ELISA kit to measure the plasma concentration of dopamine in nearly 10 ml of collected blood from each horse.
- The research also included Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to discern genetic variations in the DA D4 receptor gene.
Research Findings
- The findings disclosed that the dopamine concentrations in geldings were notably lower than those in mares. There was no marked difference in dopamine concentrations observed among different breeds and age groups.
- An important observation was that horses with the GG and GA genotypes had substantially higher plasma concentrations of dopamine compared to horses with the AA genotype for the G292A gene.
Conclusion
- In summary, the research found that the plasma concentration of dopamine varied primarily based on the sex and G292A genotype of the horse.
- The study concluded that these factors should be taken into account when using dopamine concentration as a behavioral biomarker in horses. This indicates that the dopamine concentration or genotype of horse plasma holds potential to be utilized as a biomarker for predicting horses’ behavioral characteristics.
Cite This Article
APA
Kim J, Jung H, Choi JY, Lee JW, Yoon M.
(2022).
Plasma concentration of dopamine varies depending on breed, sex, and the genotype of DRD4 in horses.
J Anim Sci Technol, 64(4), 792-799.
https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2022.e44 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
- Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Jeju 63242, Korea.
- Department of Integrative Biological Sciences and Industry, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea.
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
- Department of Horse, Companion and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
- Research Center for Horse Industry, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
Conflict of Interest Statement
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Mpekoulis G, Kalliampakou KI, Milona RS, Lagou D, Ioannidis A, Jahaj E, Chasapis CT, Kefallinos D, Karakasiliotis I, Kotanidou A, Chatzipanagiotou S, Vassilacopoulou D, Vassiliou AG, Angelakis E, Vassilaki N. Significance of Catecholamine Biosynthetic/Metabolic Pathway in SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Severity. Cells 2022 Dec 20;12(1).
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- Kang A, Kwak M-J, Lee DJ, Lee JJ, Kim MK, Song M, Lee M, Yang J, Oh S, Kim Y. Dietary supplementation with probiotics promotes weight loss by reshaping the gut microbiome and energy metabolism in obese dogs. Microbiol Spectr 2024 Mar 5;12(3):e0255223.
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