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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Genet / Population structure and genomic diversity of the Einsiedler...
Animal genetics2024; doi: 10.1111/age.13421

Population structure and genomic diversity of the Einsiedler horse.

Abstract: The breeding history of the Einsiedler horse is closely connected with the Benedictine cloister Einsiedeln. In the mid-nineteenth century, it was decided to use European Warmblood stallions for cross-breeding and to abandon the selection of stallions. Since that time, it has only been possible to trace back the origin of Einsiedler horses using maternal ancestry information. Here, we collected high-density genotype data for European Warmblood horses (Selle Français, Swiss Warmblood and Einsiedler) and Franches-Montagnes horses, the last native Swiss horse breed, to unravel the current population structure of the Einsiedler horse. Using commonly applied methods to ascertain fine-scale population structures, it was not possible to clearly differentiate the Einsiedler from other European Warmblood horses. However, by means of runs of homozygosity (ROH) we were able to detect breed-specific ROH islands for the Einsiedler horse, including genes involved in domestication and adaptation to high altitude. Therefore, future breeding activities should involve the screening of these breed-specific ROH segments, the revival of cryopreserved sperm and the selection of Einsiedler stallions.
© 2024 The Authors. Animal Genetics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
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Publication Date: 2024-03-23 PubMed ID: 38520270DOI: 10.1111/age.13421Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research focused on understanding the genetic structure and diversity of the Einsiedler horse – a breed connected to the Benedictine cloister Einsiedeln. Using high-density genotype data and comparing with other European Warmblood horses, researchers were able to identify breed-specific genomic segments in the Einsiedler horse that are linked to their domestication and adaptation to high altitudes.

Background of the Einsiedler horse

  • The Einsiedler horse, connected historically to the Benedictine cloister of Einsiedeln, is a breed of considerable interest.
  • In the mid-nineteenth century, European Warmblood stallions were introduced to the breeding of the Einsiedler horse. Consequently, stallion selection was abandoned and tracing the origin of Einsiedler horses became possible only through maternal ancestry information.

Data Collection and Methodology

  • Researchers gathered high-density genotype data from the European Warmblood horses, including Selle Français, Swiss Warmblood and Einsiedler horses, and the Franches-Montagnes horses, which is the only native Swiss horse breed.
  • Through commonly used methods for discerning fine-scale population structures, the researchers attempted to differentiate the Einsiedler horse from other European Warmblood horses.

Findings and Analysis

  • The researchers were unable to clearly separate the Einsiedler horses from other European Warmblood horses using traditional fine-scale population structure methods.
  • However, they successfully identified breed-specific segments, known as runs of homozygosity (ROH), in the genome of the Einsiedler horses.
  • These ROH islands were found to include genes that have a role in the domestication of the horse breed and their adaptation to high-altitude environments.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The existence of these breed-specific ROH islands implies a unique genetic makeup and qualities for the Einsiedler horses.
  • The researchers suggest that future breeding activities should take into account these ROH segments as they represent the unique qualities of the Einsiedler horse.
  • To retain the uniqueness of the breed, they recommend measures like the revival of cryopreserved sperm and the selection of Einsiedler stallions for breeding.

Cite This Article

APA
Gmel A, Ricard A, Gerber V, Neuditschko M. (2024). Population structure and genomic diversity of the Einsiedler horse. Anim Genet. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13421

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 1365-2052
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Gmel, Annik
  • Animal GenoPhenomics, Agroscope, Posieux, Fribourg, Switzerland.
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Ricard, Anne
  • Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Domaine de Vilvert, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Gerber, Vinzenz
  • Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Neuditschko, Markus
  • Animal GenoPhenomics, Agroscope, Posieux, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Grant Funding

  • Fondation Sur-la-Croix

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