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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Quantifying the effect of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome on...
PloS one2022; 17(7); e0267975; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267975

Quantifying the effect of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome on foaling rates in the German riding horse population.

Abstract: Awareness of breeders of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) increased after a widely discussed case in the USA in 2018. The hereditary connective tissue disorder, first described by a US research group in 2011 and for which a commercial genetic test exists since 2013, is caused by a point mutation in the PLOD1 gene, inherited autosomal recessively. Extension of molecular genetic testing and reporting of test results of organized horse breeders to their studbooks implies new opportunities for analyses. In Germany, data are centrally accessible through the integrated equine data base allowing comprehensive and population-wide investigation of the role of WFFS. The objective of this study was statistical testing for associations between WFFS and reproductive performance of German riding horses and quantifying possible differences between WFFS carriers and non-carriers, also in respect of performance traits. For this purpose, covering data from 2008 to 2020 were provided by ten German studbooks, so almost 400,000 coverings and resulting foaling rates were available for multiple analyses of variance with general and mixed linear models using procedures GLM, MIXED and HPMIXED of SAS software (version 9.2). Published breeding values of stallions were used for respective comparisons of riding horse performance. Assuming a WFFS carrier frequency of 9.5-15.0% in Warmblood horses, Hardy Weinberg principle implied an expected difference of 2.4-3.7% in the foaling rates of carrier and non-carrier stallions. Our results provided statistical evidence of detrimental effects of WFFS on the reproductive performance of Warmblood horses with about 2.7% lower average foaling rate in carriers of the mutant allele than in WFFS free sires, if mated to an average mare population. Indications of favorable dressage performance of WFFS carriers were found. Reported WFFS cases indicate only the tip of the iceberg and assessing the impact of WFFS on reproduction requires consideration of premature foal losses.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-28 PubMed ID: 35901076PubMed Central: PMC9333276DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267975Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research examines the effects of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) on the breeding performance of German riding horses using genetic test data and statistical analysis. The results show that carriage of the WFFS mutation results in a lower average foaling rate compared to non-carriers, alongside indications of higher dressage performance in carriers.

Study Purpose and Rationale

  • This study aimed to examine any associations between WFFS, a hereditary connective tissue disorder caused by a mutation in the PLOD1 gene, and the reproductive performance of German riding horses.
  • The need for such an investigation was underscored by an increase in awareness of WFFS among breeders, following a well-publicized case in the US, and the advent of genetic testing for the disorder.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • Data for the study was sourced from ten German studbooks and the integrated equine database, providing an extensive sample of roughly 400,000 coverings and resulting foaling rates from 2008 to 2020.
  • The researchers used statistical software to run multiple analyses of variance with general and mixed linear models. They also compared published breeding values of stallions to examine differences in riding horse performance.

Findings and Implications

  • The study found statistical evidence of a negative impact of WFFS on the reproductive performance of Warmblood horses, with carriers of the mutant WFFS allele demonstrating a roughly 2.7% lower average foaling rate compared to non-carrier sires.
  • Interestingly, the research also suggested a positive correlation between carriage of the WFFS mutation and dressage performance, implying a potential trade-off for breeders.
  • Reflecting on the scope for under-reporting of WFFS cases, the researchers urged the consideration of premature foal losses when assessing the impact of WFFS on reproduction.

Cite This Article

APA
Wobbe M, Reinhardt F, Reents R, Tetens J, Stock KF. (2022). Quantifying the effect of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome on foaling rates in the German riding horse population. PLoS One, 17(7), e0267975. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267975

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 7
Pages: e0267975

Researcher Affiliations

Wobbe, Mirell
  • Genetic Evaluation Division, IT Solutions for Animal Production (vit), Verden, Germany.
  • Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Foundation), Hanover, Germany.
Reinhardt, Friedrich
  • Genetic Evaluation Division, IT Solutions for Animal Production (vit), Verden, Germany.
Reents, Reinhard
  • Genetic Evaluation Division, IT Solutions for Animal Production (vit), Verden, Germany.
Tetens, Jens
  • Department of Animal Sciences, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
  • Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
Stock, Kathrin F
  • Genetic Evaluation Division, IT Solutions for Animal Production (vit), Verden, Germany.
  • Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Foundation), Hanover, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Horses / genetics
  • Male
  • Reproduction
  • Syndrome

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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