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PloS one2018; 13(8); e0202584; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202584

Selection on the Colombian paso horse’s gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene.

Abstract: The Colombian paso horse, the most important horse breed in Colombia, performs specific and particular gaits (paso fino, trocha, and Colombian trot), which display different footfall patterns and stride frequencies. The breed has been selected for gait and conformation for more than 50 years and we hypothesize that this selection has led to kinematic differences of the gaits that can be explained by different genetic variants. Hence, the aims of the study were: 1. To identify if there are any differences in the kinematic and genetic variants between the Colombian paso horse's gaits. 2. To evaluate if and how much the gait differences were explained by the nonsense mutation in the DMRT3 gene and 3. To evaluate these results for selecting and controlling the horses gait performance. To test our hypotheses, kinematic data, microsatellites and DMRT3 genotypes for 187 Colombian paso horses were analyzed. The results indicated that there are significant kinematic and DMRT3 differences between the Colombian paso horse's gaits, and those parameters can be used partially to select and control the horses gait performance. However, the DMRT3 gene does not play a major role in controlling the trocha and the Colombian trot gaits. Therefore, modifying genes likely influence these gaits. This study may serve as a foundation for implementing a genetic selection program in the Colombian paso horse and future gene discovery studies for locomotion pattern in horses.
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Publication Date: 2018-08-17 PubMed ID: 30118522PubMed Central: PMC6097835DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202584Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigates how the selection of specific gaits in Colombian paso horses over a span of 50 years has led to noticeable differences in the way these horses naturally move. These differences also appear to be partially influenced by variations in the DMRT3 gene.

Study Objectives

The study aimed to determine:

  • If there are any differences, both kinematic and genetic, between the specific gaits of the Colombian paso horses.
  • To what extent these differences in gaits are explained by a mutation in the DMRT3 gene.
  • How these results could be used to better select and control horses for their gait performance.

Study Methodology

  • Kinematic data, microsatellites, and DMRT3 genotypes were analyzed for 187 Colombian paso horses.
  • Kinematics refers to the study of movement, particularly, how the footfall patterns and stride frequencies different in these specific horse breeds.
  • The DMRT3 gene, or the doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3, affects the nervous system of horses and plays an important role in the control of gait.

Study Findings

The researchers found:

  • Significant differences in the kinematics and the DMRT3 gene among the Colombian paso horse’s gaits.
  • These observed differences can partially help select and control the horse’s gait performance.
  • The differences in the trocha and Colombian trot gaits are not largely controlled by the DMRT3 gene, suggesting the possible influence of other modifying genes.

Importance of the Study

This study offers a valuable foundation for:

  • Implementing a genetic selection program in the Colombian paso horses to choose breeds with preferred locomotion patterns.
  • Future research aiming to discover other relevant genes that influence locomotion patterns in horses in general.

Cite This Article

APA
Novoa-Bravo M, Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Rhodin M, Strand E, García LF, Lindgren G. (2018). Selection on the Colombian paso horse’s gaits has produced kinematic differences partly explained by the DMRT3 gene. PLoS One, 13(8), e0202584. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202584

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
Pages: e0202584

Researcher Affiliations

Novoa-Bravo, Miguel
  • Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda. Bogotá, Colombia.
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Department of Biology, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
Jäderkvist Fegraeus, Kim
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.
Strand, Eric
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
García, Luis Fernando
  • Department of Biology, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
Lindgren, Gabriella
  • Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / genetics
  • Breeding
  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Colombia
  • Gait / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Humans
  • Locomotion / genetics
  • Mice
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Conflict of Interest Statement

Gabriella Lindgren is co-inventor on a granted patent concerning commercial testing of the DMRT3 mutation: A method to predict the pattern of locomotion in horses. PCT EP12 747 875.8. European patent registration date: 2011-05- 05, US patent registration date: 2011-08-03. Miguel Novoa Bravo is personal of the company Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda. This funder provided support in the form of research materials, infrastructure, funding for research travel, and salary (after January the first 2018) for author MNB, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. There are no further patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors\' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials, as detailed online in the guide for authors.

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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