Whole-genome scan for guttural pouch tympany in Arabian and German warmblood horses.
Abstract: Equine guttural pouch tympany (GPT) is a hereditary disease in foals of several breeds, including thoroughbreds, Arabian, Quarter and warmblood horses. We performed a whole-genome scan for GPT in 143 horses from five Arabian and five German warmblood families and genotyped 257 microsatellites. Chromosome-wide significant linkage was detected on ECA2 and ECA15 using multipoint non-parametric linkage analyses. Analyses stratified by sex revealed chromosome-wide significant linkage on ECA2 for fillies and chromosome-wide significant linkage on ECA15 for colts. For Arabian colts, the quantitative trait locus (QTL) on ECA15 was genome-wide significant. Haplotypes including two to four microsatellites within the QTL on ECA2 and 15 in fillies and colts, respectively, were significantly associated with GPT for both breeds. Thus, our analysis indicated sex-specific QTL, a fact which is in agreement with a two- to fourfold higher incidence of GPT in females. This is the first report of QTL for equine GPT and a first step towards identifying genes responsible for GPT.
Publication Date: 2009-08-24 PubMed ID: 19703122DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2009.01942.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research aimed to discover genetic links associated with a hereditary disease in horses called guttural pouch tympany (GPT), to help in identifying the responsible genes. The study noted sex-specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) which aligns with the observed higher incidence of GPT in female horses.
Background and Objective
- The primary goal of this research was to understand the genetic basis of a hereditary disease in horses — called guttural pouch tympany (GPT). This condition predominantly affects foals of several horse breeds like thoroughbreds, Arabian, Quarter, and warmblood horses.
- The researchers carried out a comprehensive scan of the entire genome in horses to locate regions containing genes (quantitative trait loci or QTL) associated with the disease.
Methodology
- The research included 143 horses from five Arabian and five German warmblood families. The genetic information of these horses was analyzed using 257 microsatellites (short, repetitive DNA sequences that usually vary among individuals).
- The scientists utilized multipoint non-parametric linkage analyses to identify significant links between the disease and specific chromosomes. The analysis was further differentiated by sex to account for differences.
Findings
- The research revealed that significant linkage with the disease was found on two chromosomes: ECA2 and ECA15.
- When the scientist analyzed the data by sex, they found significant linkage on ECA2 for female horses (fillies) and on ECA15 for male horses (colts). Particularly, the QTL on ECA15 was of genome-wide significance in Arabian colts.
- The study also discovered that specific combinations of two to four microsatellites within the identified QTLs in fillies and colts were significantly associated with GPT in both Arabian and German Warmblood breeds.
Significance and Implications
- This research attests to sex-specific QTL in relation to GPT in horses, echoing the higher incidence rate of GPT in female horses.
- The study represents an initial step towards pinpointing the exact genes responsible for the development of GPT in horses. Such findings can lead to preventive measures and potential treatments for GPT.
- This study is the first one to report on QTL for GPT in horses, marking a significant milestone in understanding the genetic underpinnings of this disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Zeitz A, Spötter A, Blazyczek I, Diesterbeck U, Ohnesorge B, Deegen E, Distl O.
(2009).
Whole-genome scan for guttural pouch tympany in Arabian and German warmblood horses.
Anim Genet, 40(6), 917-924.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2009.01942.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17p, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Genome-Wide Association Study
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Pedigree
- Pharyngeal Diseases / genetics
- Pharyngeal Diseases / veterinary
- Quantitative Trait Loci
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Metzger J, Ohnesorge B, Distl O. Genome-wide linkage and association analysis identifies major gene loci for guttural pouch tympany in Arabian and German warmblood horses. PLoS One 2012;7(7):e41640.
- Brosnahan MM, Brooks SA, Antczak DF. Equine clinical genomics: A clinician's primer. Equine Vet J 2010 Oct;42(7):658-70.
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