The Effect of Selection on the Two Important Myostatin Gene Mutations in the Dareshouri Horse in the Middle East.
Abstract: The Dareshouri horse breed is one of Iran's native equine breeds, originating from the Dareshouri tribe, a subgroup of the Qashqai nomads. This breed has a history spanning over 500 years. Horses of this breed have smooth nates, tall stature, raised tails and strong skeletal muscles. This is the first study to investigate the effect of genetics on athletic performance in the Dareshouri breed. For this purpose, in this study, the genotype combination of two important variants, including the rs397152648Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and Short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) insertion, was surveyed to study the effect of selection on MSTN gene mutations in this breed. The result displayed absence of SINE insertion and high frequency of the "C" allele in Myostatin gene (MSTN) gene in all studied horses. Considering the importance of the presence and high frequency of the rs397152648 SNP and its relationship with the low expression of equine Myostatin, the muscle mass ratio, and speed performance, this evidence confirms that the Dareshouri breed has the genetic potential to cover the race distance in a shorter time. Given the absence of genetics studies on this valuable Iranian breed, these findings represent an important contribution to the characterisation of this breed and clearly indicate an occasion for Dareshouri horsebreeders, owners, and trainers to recognise the genetic potential of their horse to make the best decisions in breeding, selection, training and racing to improve the horse's performance.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-03-19 PubMed ID: 40104884PubMed Central: PMC12077112DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70300Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study examines the impact of genetic variations in the Myostatin gene (MSTN) on the athletic performance of the Dareshouri horse breed, a native Iranian breed.
- The research focuses on two specific genetic mutations and their presence or absence, shedding light on the breed’s genetic potential for muscle development and speed.
Background and Significance
- The Dareshouri horse is a native Iranian breed with over 500 years of history, known for distinctive physical traits like smooth nates, tall stature, raised tails, and strong muscles.
- It is a subgroup of the Qashqai nomads and considered valuable for its athletic capabilities.
- This study is the first to investigate genetic factors related to athletic performance in this breed, focusing on the MSTN gene which is known to affect muscle growth and speed in horses.
Research Focus
- The study evaluates two key genetic variants in the MSTN gene:
- rs397152648 SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)
- Short Interspersed Nuclear Element (SINE) insertion
- The aim was to analyze how selection has influenced these mutations in the Dareshouri horses.
Key Findings
- The SINE insertion mutation was completely absent in all horses studied from the Dareshouri breed.
- There was a high frequency of the “C” allele in the rs397152648 SNP in the MSTN gene among these horses.
- The presence and high frequency of this “C” allele is important because it is linked to lower expression of Myostatin protein, which typically inhibits muscle growth.
- Lower Myostatin expression correlates with increased muscle mass and enhanced speed performance, suggesting that these horses have natural genetic advantages for faster racing.
Implications for Breeders and Trainers
- This research fills a gap in the genetic understanding of the Dareshouri horse, a valuable but understudied breed.
- Knowledge of the horses’ genetic makeup can assist breeders, owners, and trainers in:
- Making informed breeding selections to enhance athletic performance.
- Tailoring training programs that optimize the horse’s genetic potential.
- Making better decisions about racing strategies considering the horse’s genetic profile.
- It emphasizes the significant potential for genetic selection to improve racing outcomes without compromising the breed’s unique characteristics.
Conclusion
- The Dareshouri horse possesses a favorable genetic profile in terms of MSTN gene variations that promote muscle development and speed.
- The absence of the SINE insertion and high frequency of the “C” allele at rs397152648 SNP position highlight a promising genetic basis for superior athletic performance.
- These findings provide a foundation for future genetic research and practical applications in breeding and training programs tailored to bolster the breed’s racing capabilities.
Cite This Article
APA
Moroudi RS, Mahboudi H, Mahboudi F.
(2025).
The Effect of Selection on the Two Important Myostatin Gene Mutations in the Dareshouri Horse in the Middle East.
Vet Med Sci, 11(2), e70300.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70300 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Taraz Behstour Daylaman horse stud farm, Karaj, Iran.
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
- Taraz Behstour Daylaman horse stud farm, Karaj, Iran.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Myostatin / genetics
- Myostatin / metabolism
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Mutation
- Selection, Genetic
- Iran
- Short Interspersed Nucleotide Elements / genetics
- Genotype
- Male
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest existing for this work.
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