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Journal of applied genetics2016; 58(3); 355-361; doi: 10.1007/s13353-016-0385-y

Polymorphisms in ten candidate genes are associated with conformational and locomotive traits in Spanish Purebred horses.

Abstract: The Spanish Purebred horses, also known as Andalusian horses, compete to the highest standards in international dressage events. Gait and conformation could be used as early selection criteria to detect young horses with promising dressage ability. Although the genetic background of equine size variation has been recently uncovered, the genetic basis of horse conformational and locomotive traits is not known, hampered by the complex genetic architecture underlying quantitative traits and the lack of phenotypic data. The aim of this study was to validate the loci associated with size in 144 Spanish Purebred horses, and to seek novel associations between loci previously associated with the development of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions and 20 conformational and locomotive traits. Ten loci were associated with different conformational and locomotive traits (LCORL/NCAPG, HMGA2, USP31, MECR, COL24A1, MGP, FAM184B, PTH1R, KLF3 and SGK1), and the LCORL/NCAPG association with size in the Spanish Purebred horse was validated. Except for HMGA2, all polymorphisms seem to influence both the prevalence of OC lesions and morphological characters, supporting the link between conformation and OC. Also, the implication of most genes in either immune and inflammatory responses and cellular growth, or ossification processes, reinforces the role that these mechanisms have in the aetiology of OC, as well as their reflection on the general conformation of the individual. These polymorphisms could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programmes to improve desirable conformational traits, but taking into account their possible detrimental effect on OC prevalence.
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Publication Date: 2016-12-05 PubMed ID: 27917442DOI: 10.1007/s13353-016-0385-yGoogle 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 investigated genetic factors that influence physical and locomotive traits in Spanish Purebred horses. It identified ten different genes linked to these characteristics, some of which also appear to affect the prevalence of osteochondrosis, a joint condition. The findings could help improve selective breeding of these horses but must consider the potential increase in osteochondrosis.

Research Context and Objectives

  • The Spanish Purebred, or Andalusian, horses are renowned for their performance in dressage events. Key factors for their success include their physical conformation (body shape and structure) and locomotive traits (movement and gait).
  • Despite understanding some of the genetics behind horse size variation, the genetic basis of conformational and locomotive traits in horses remains unclear. This knowledge gap is due to the complexity of the genetics governing these traits and a shortage of phenotypic data.
  • The main goals of this study were to investigate loci (specific genomic regions) associated with size in Spanish Purebred horses and to identify potential new associations between these loci and the development of osteochondrosis (OC), a common joint disorder in horses. The research also examined these loci’s links to 20 different conformational and locomotive traits.

Key Findings

  • The research identified ten loci that were associated with different conformational and locomotive traits in Spanish Purebred horses. These loci correspond to ten different genes: LCORL/NCAPG, HMGA2, USP31, MECR, COL24A1, MGP, FAM184B, PTH1R, KLF3, and SGK1.
  • The link between the LCORL/NCAPG locus and size in the Spanish Purebred horse was confirmed.
  • Except for the HMGA2 gene, all the polymorphisms (variations of a single gene) appeared to influence both the occurrence of OC lesions and morphological traits, suggesting a connection between conformation and OC.
  • Most of the identified genes are involved in immune and inflammatory responses, cellular growth, or bone formation processes. This finding underscores these mechanisms’ role in the development of OC and their influence on an individual horse’s overall conformation.

Potential Applications

  • The identified polymorphisms could be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programmes. MAS is a method of selecting individuals for breeding based on their genetic markers, with the aim of enhancing desirable traits in the resulting offspring. In this case, it could be utilized to improve conformational traits in Spanish Purebred horses.
  • However, the research also highlighted the need for caution in using these genetic markers for selection, as some may increase the prevalence of OC. Therefore, a balanced approach is necessary to maximize the advantages while mitigating risks.

Cite This Article

APA
Sevane N, Dunner S, Boado A, Cañon J. (2016). Polymorphisms in ten candidate genes are associated with conformational and locomotive traits in Spanish Purebred horses. J Appl Genet, 58(3), 355-361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-016-0385-y

Publication

Journal of applied genetics
ISSN: 2190-3883
NlmUniqueID: 9514582
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 3
Pages: 355-361

Researcher Affiliations

Sevane, Natalia
  • Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, 28040, Spain. nsevane@ucm.es.
Dunner, Susana
  • Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
Boado, Ana
  • Traumatología Equina, El Boalo, Madrid, 28413, Spain.
Cañon, Javier
  • Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, 28040, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Gait / genetics
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genotype
  • Horse Diseases / genetics
  • Horses / genetics
  • Linear Models
  • Osteochondrosis / genetics
  • Osteochondrosis / veterinary
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Spain

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