The genetics of skeletal muscle disorders in horses.
Abstract: Horses are remarkable athletes and a fascinating species in which to study the genetic bases of athletic performance, skeletal muscle biology, and neuromuscular disease. Genetic selection in horses has resulted in many breeds that possess anatomical, physiological, and metabolic variations linked to speed, power, and endurance that are beginning to be defined at the molecular level. Along with the concentration of positive traits, equine breeding programs have also inadvertently concentrated heritable muscle diseases for which mutations impacting electrical conduction, muscle contraction, and energy metabolism within and across breeds have been characterized. The study of heritable muscle diseases in horses has provided exciting insights into the normal structure and function of muscle and important diagnostic tools for veterinarians. Results empower breeders and breed associations to make difficult decisions about how to use this information to improve the overall health and well-being of horses.
Publication Date: 2014-09-12 PubMed ID: 25387114DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110653Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research focuses on studying the genetics of skeletal muscle disorders in horses, particularly those bred for high athletic performance. It sheds light on genetic traits linked to speed, power, and endurance in horses, as well as genetic mutations that cause muscle diseases. The study’s insights can aid in improving horse health and well-being.
Genetics of Athletic Performance
In this research, horses are recognized as remarkable athletes with genetic variations that contribute to their athletic performance. The study looks into how:
- Genetic selection in horses has led to breeds with anatomical, physiological, and metabolic variations.
- These variations are being defined and understood at the molecular level, highlighting the complexities of genetic traits that enhance speed, power, and endurance in horses.
Understanding Genetic Diseases
The research also delves deeper into the unwanted genetic traits in horses, such as heritable muscle diseases. The focus is on:
- Mutations impacting electrical conduction, muscle contraction, and energy metabolism in horses, which have been characterized across different breeds.
- How these diseases are understood and diagnosed based on a deep understanding of muscular structure and function developed from this study.
Implications for Horse Health and Breeding
The results from the research have significant potential applications for horse health and breeding. For instance:
- Findings can arm breeders and breed associations with pertinent information to make informed decisions about breeding strategies.
- Results can empower the horse community to address hereditary diseases effectively and improve the overall health and well-being of horses.
- The study can contribute to the development of diagnostic tools for veterinarians to identify and treat heritable muscle diseases in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Mickelson JR, Valberg SJ.
(2014).
The genetics of skeletal muscle disorders in horses.
Annu Rev Anim Biosci, 3, 197-217.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110653 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108; email: micke001@umn.edu , valbe001@umn.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
- Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
- Muscular Diseases / genetics
- Muscular Diseases / veterinary
- Mutation
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Autry JM, Svensson B, Carlson SF, Chen Z, Cornea RL, Thomas DD, Valberg SJ. Sarcoplasmic Reticulum from Horse Gluteal Muscle Is Poised for Enhanced Calcium Transport. Vet Sci 2021 Nov 23;8(12).
- Amilon KR, Cortes-Araya Y, Moore B, Lee S, Lillico S, Breton A, Esteves CL, Donadeu FX. Generation of Functional Myocytes from Equine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cell Reprogram 2018 Oct;20(5):275-281.
- Kol A, Arzi B, Athanasiou KA, Farmer DL, Nolta JA, Rebhun RB, Chen X, Griffiths LG, Verstraete FJ, Murphy CJ, Borjesson DL. Companion animals: Translational scientist's new best friends. Sci Transl Med 2015 Oct 7;7(308):308ps21.
- Stegemiller MR, Highland MA, Ewert KM, Neaton H, Biller DS, Murdoch BM. Identifying Genetic Predisposition to Dozer Lamb Syndrome: A Semi-Lethal Muscle Weakness Disease in Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2025 Jan 14;16(1).
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