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Journal of equine science2018; 29(4); 91-96; doi: 10.1294/jes.29.91

Study of factors affecting the body conformation traits of Iranian Turkoman horses.

Abstract: The Iranian Turkoman horse is considered one of the major categories of Iranian native horses. The aim of this research was to study the genetic and nongenetic factors affecting body conformation traits in Iranian Turkoman horses. For this, measurements were performed on body conformation traits of 121 horses. To study the effect of nongenetic factors, the Lsmeans procedure was used. Variance components and heritability were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood method (REML) and AI-REML convergence algorithm. The standard deviation was estimated to be 7.04 cm for croup depth and 2.08 cm for chest width, and the coefficient of variation was estimated to be 11.27% for croup length and 2.58% for withers height. Sex had a significant effect on head-neck circumference (P<0.05), withers height (P<0.05), chest width (P<0.05), and croup height (P<0.05). Province had a significant effect on withers height (P<0.05) and croup depth (P<0.05). The lowest and highest heritability estimates were for head-neck circumference (0.12 ± 0.06) and neck-body circumference (0.33 ± 0.09), respectively. The lowest and highest additive genetic variance estimates were for head length (0.64) and pelvis width (18.34), respectively. Generally, the medium to high estimated heritability for the traits in this study indicate that genetic improvement would be possible in these traits.
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Publication Date: 2018-12-18 PubMed ID: 30607132PubMed Central: PMC6306294DOI: 10.1294/jes.29.91Google 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.

The research studies the genetic and non-genetic factors that influence body conformation traits in Iranian Turkoman horses. Researchers observed these traits in 121 horses and found variations in measurements, showing that factors like sex and province of origin significantly affect these traits and that genetic improvement is indeed possible.

Methodology of the Study

  • The study was conducted on 121 Iranian Turkoman horses that served as the sample size.
  • The researchers closely measured body conformation traits which include features like head-neck circumference, withers height (the height of a horse at the highest point of its withers or shoulder blades), chest width, croup height (height of the hip) and others.
  • The researchers then employed two procedures to analyze these measurements. The main procedure was the Lsmeans procedure which helped analyze the effects of non-genetic factors.
  • The second procedure was the Restricted Maximum Likelihood method (REML) and an AI-REML convergence algorithm to estimate variance components and heritability, confirming the accuracy of genetic and non-genetic influences mentioned before.

Key Findings of the Study

  • The research found variations in measurements such as a standard deviation of 7.04 cm for croup depth and 2.08 cm for chest width.
  • Wide-ranging coefficient of variation was discovered showing 11.27% for croup length and only 2.58% for withers height.
  • The horse’s sex had a significant effect on several traits including head-neck circumference, withers height, chest width, and croup height.
  • The province of origin also had a significant effect on withers height and croup depth.
  • Highly varying heritability scores were found ranging from 0.12 for head-neck circumference to 0.33 for neck-body circumference.
  • Extremely varying additive genetic variance estimates were found from 0.64 for head length to 18.34 for pelvis width.
  • The study concluded that due to medium to high estimated heritability for the traits in this study, genetic improvement of these horses is likely feasible.

Cite This Article

APA
Ghezelsoflou H, Hamidi P, Gharahveysi S. (2018). Study of factors affecting the body conformation traits of Iranian Turkoman horses. J Equine Sci, 29(4), 91-96. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.29.91

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 4
Pages: 91-96

Researcher Affiliations

Ghezelsoflou, Hadi
  • Department of Animal Science, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr 4849167119, Iran.
Hamidi, Peiman
  • Department of Animal Science, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr 4849167119, Iran.
Gharahveysi, Shahabodin
  • Department of Animal Science, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr 4849167119, Iran.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Omidi A, Rasooli A, Nazifi S, Heydari A, Seirafinia M. Relationship between morphometric measurements and blood parameters in horses with varying adiposity levels and physiological conditions. Vet Med Sci 2024 Nov;10(6):e70024.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70024pubmed: 39381916google scholar: lookup
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