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Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie2014; 131(6); 415-425; doi: 10.1111/jbg.12112

The effect of the ‘Gait keeper’ mutation in the DMRT3 gene on gaiting ability in Icelandic horses.

Abstract: A nonsense mutation in DMRT3 ('Gait keeper' mutation) has a predominant effect on gaiting ability in horses, being permissive for the ability to perform lateral gaits and having a favourable effect on speed capacity in trot. The DMRT3 mutant allele (A) has been found in high frequency in gaited breeds and breeds bred for harness racing, while other horse breeds were homozygous for the wild-type allele (C). The aim of this study was to evaluate further the effect of the DMRT3 nonsense mutation on the gait quality and speed capacity in the multigaited Icelandic horse and demonstrate how the frequencies of the A- and C- alleles have changed in the Icelandic horse population in recent decades. It was confirmed that homozygosity for the DMRT3 nonsense mutation relates to the ability to pace. It further had a favourable effect on scores in breeding field tests for the lateral gait tölt, demonstrated by better beat quality, speed capacity and suppleness. Horses with the CA genotype had on the other hand significantly higher scores for walk, trot, canter and gallop, and they performed better beat and suspension in trot and gallop. These results indicate that the AA genotype reinforces the coordination of ipsilateral legs, with the subsequent negative effect on the synchronized movement of diagonal legs compared with the CA genotype. The frequency of the A-allele has increased in recent decades with a corresponding decrease in the frequency of the C-allele. The estimated frequency of the A-allele in the Icelandic horse population in 2012 was 0.94. Selective breeding for lateral gaits in the Icelandic horse population has apparently altered the frequency of DMRT3 genotypes with a predicted loss of the C-allele in relatively few years. The results have practical implications for breeding and training of Icelandic horses and other gaited horse breeds.
© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2014-07-30 PubMed ID: 25073639DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12112Google 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.

The research paper examines how the ‘Gait keeper’ mutation in the DMRT3 gene impacts the gaiting ability in Icelandic horses, finding that this mutation contributes significantly to the ability to perform lateral gaits and favors speed in trot.

Background and Aim

  • The research was primarily conducted to further understand the effects of the nonsense mutation affectionately referred to as ‘Gait keeper’, on the gait quality and speed of multigaited Icelandic horses.
  • Researchers also aimed to observe how the frequencies of the A- and C- alleles, associated with the DMRT3 mutation have altered in the Icelandic horse population recently.

Methodology and Findings

  • During the course of the study, it was discovered that horses with homozygosity for the DMRT3 nonsense mutation held a better ability to pace.
  • The mutation also had a beneficial effect on the lateral gait tölt’s breeding field results shown by improved beat quality, speed, and suppleness.
  • In contrast, horses with the CA genotype outperformed in walk, trot, canter, and gallop, showcasing better beat and suspension during trot and gallop.
  • The researchers found that the AA genotype improves the coordination of ipsilateral legs, affecting the synchronized movement of the animal’s diagonal legs when compared with the coordination inherent in the CA genotype.

Changes in A- and C- Allele Frequencies

  • The researcher noted a substantial increase in the A-allele frequency with a corresponding decrease in the C-allele frequency in recent decades.
  • The A-allele’s estimated frequency was 0.94 in the Icelandic horse population in 2012.
  • This shift in frequencies suggests that selective breeding focused on lateral gaits has altered the DMRT3 genotypes frequency, predicting a loss of the C-allele in the coming years.

Implications of the Study

  • The research has shown that the ‘Gait keeper’ mutation has a substantial effect on a horse’s gaiting ability, having practical implications for the breeding and training of not only Icelandic horses, but also other gaited horse breeds.

Cite This Article

APA
Kristjansson T, Bjornsdottir S, Sigurdsson A, Andersson LS, Lindgren G, Helyar SJ, Klonowski AM, Arnason T. (2014). The effect of the ‘Gait keeper’ mutation in the DMRT3 gene on gaiting ability in Icelandic horses. J Anim Breed Genet, 131(6), 415-425. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12112

Publication

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie
ISSN: 1439-0388
NlmUniqueID: 100955807
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 131
Issue: 6
Pages: 415-425

Researcher Affiliations

Kristjansson, T
  • Agricultural University of Iceland, Hvanneyri, Borgarnes, Iceland.
Bjornsdottir, S
    Sigurdsson, A
      Andersson, L S
        Lindgren, G
          Helyar, S J
            Klonowski, A M
              Arnason, T

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Breeding / methods
                • Codon, Nonsense
                • Functional Laterality / genetics
                • Gait
                • Genotype
                • Horses / genetics
                • Iceland
                • Transcription Factors / genetics

                Citations

                This article has been cited 15 times.
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