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Journal of equine science2016; 27(3); 107-114; doi: 10.1294/jes.27.107

Sequence variants of BIEC2-808543 near LCORL are associated with body composition in Thoroughbreds under training.

Abstract: Ligand-dependent nuclear receptor compressor-like (LCORL) encodes a transcription factor, and its polymorphisms are associated with measures of skeletal frame size and adult height in several species. Recently, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BIEC2-808543 located upstream of LCORL was identified as a genetic diagnostic marker associated with withers height in Thoroughbreds. In this study, 322 Thoroughbreds-in-training were genotyped for BIEC2-808543 to evaluate the association between genotype and body composition traits, including body weight, withers height, the ratio of body weight to withers height, chest circumference, and cannon circumference. Of these, withers height and cannon circumference were significantly associated with LCORL genotypes throughout almost the entire training period in males and females. Animals with a C/T genotype had higher withers height (maximum differences of 1.8 cm and 2.1 cm in males and females, respectively) and cannon circumstance (maximum differences of 0.65 cm and 0.48 cm in males and females, respectively) compared with animals with a T/T genotype. These results suggested that the regulation of LCORL expression influences the skeletal frame size in Thoroughbreds and thus, indirectly affects the body weight. Although LCORL and BIEC2-808543 would be useful for selective breeding in Thoroughbreds, the production of genetically modified animals and gene doping based on genetic information should be prohibited in order to maintain racing integrity.
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Publication Date: 2016-09-30 PubMed ID: 27703405PubMed Central: PMC5048357DOI: 10.1294/jes.27.107Google 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 article explores the association of Ligand-dependent nuclear receptor compressor-like (LCORL) gene variants with body composition traits in Thoroughbred horses. It was found that variants significantly influence traits like the withers height and cannon circumference, indirectly affecting body weight that could potentially be utilized for selective breeding. However, the study advocates for regulations to prevent gene doping and genetically modified animals to maintain racing integrity.

Introduction and Aim

  • The study investigates the potential association between the gene Ligand-dependent nuclear receptor compressor-like (LCORL) and certain physical characteristics found in Thoroughbreds-in-training.
  • The LCORL gene is known to encode a transcription factor, which is related to the skeletal frame size and adult height in many species. A previous study identified the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) BIEC2-808543 located upstream of LCORL, which was found to be associated with withers height in Thoroughbreds.
  • This research aims to further the understanding of the LCORL gene’s potential impact on Thoroughbreds’ body composition traits under training.

Methodology

  • A total of 322 Thoroughbreds in training were selected and genotyped for BIEC2-808543.
  • The body composition traits including body weight, withers height (the height of a horse at the highest point of its withers), the ratio of body weight to withers height, chest circumference, and cannon circumference (circumference of the horse’s lower leg) were evaluated.

Results

  • The research found significant association between LCORL genotypes and withers height and cannon circumference over the entire training period in both male and female horses.
  • The animals who had a C/T genotype showed higher wither heights and cannon circumstance as compared to ones with a T/T genotype.

Implications and Conclusions

  • These findings suggest that LCORL’s regulation, alongside SNP BIEC2-808543, indirectly impacts Thoroughbreds’ body weight by influencing the skeletal frame size.
  • The variations in the LCORL gene could potentially be useful in selective breeding for Thoroughbreds.
  • However, the study highlights ethical considerations, recommending that production of genetically modified animals and gene doping based on the genetic information should be banned to maintain the integrity of racing.

Cite This Article

APA
Tozaki T, Sato F, Ishimaru M, Kikuchi M, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Nagata SI. (2016). Sequence variants of BIEC2-808543 near LCORL are associated with body composition in Thoroughbreds under training. J Equine Sci, 27(3), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.27.107

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 3
Pages: 107-114

Researcher Affiliations

Tozaki, Teruaki
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.
Sato, Fumio
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
Ishimaru, Mutsuki
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
Kikuchi, Mio
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.
Kakoi, Hironaga
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.
Hirota, Kei-Ichi
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.
Nagata, Shun-Ichi
  • Genetic Analysis Department, Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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