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Rosengren MK, Sigurðardóttir H, Eriksson S, Naboulsi R, Jouni A, Novoa-Bravo M, Albertsdóttir E, Kristjánsson Þ, Rhodin M, Viklund Å, Velie BD, Negro JJ, Solé M, Lindgren G. A QTL for conformation of back and croup influences lateral gait quality in Icelandic horses. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:267. [PMID: 33853519 PMCID: PMC8048352 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07454-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The back plays a vital role in horse locomotion, where the spine functions as a spring during the stride cycle. A complex interaction between the spine and the muscles of the back contribute to locomotion soundness, gait ability, and performance of riding and racehorses. Conformation is commonly used to select horses for breeding and performance in multiple horse breeds, where the back and croup conformation plays a significant role. The conformation of back and croup plays an important role on riding ability in Icelandic horses. However, the genes behind this trait are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with conformation of back and croup in Icelandic horses and to investigate their effects on riding ability. One hundred seventy-seven assessed Icelandic horses were included in the study. A genome-wide association analysis was performed using the 670 K+ Axiom Equine Genotyping Array, and the effects of different haplotypes in the top associated region were estimated for riding ability and additional conformation traits assessed during breeding field tests. RESULTS A suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the score of back and croup was detected on Equus caballus (ECA) 22 (p-value = 2.67 × 10- 7). Haplotype analysis revealed two opposite haplotypes, which resulted in higher and lower scores of the back and croup, respectively (p-value < 0.001). Horses with the favorable haplotype were more inclined to have a well-balanced backline with an uphill conformation and had, on average, higher scores for the lateral gaits tölt (p-value = 0.02) and pace (p-value = 0.004). This genomic region harbors three genes: C20orf85, ANKRD60 and LOC100056167. ANKRD60 is associated with body height in humans. C20orf85 and ANKRD60 are potentially linked to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in humans. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the detected QTL for conformation of back and croup is of importance for quality of lateral gaits in Icelandic horses. These findings could result in a genetic test to aid in the selection of breeding horses, thus they are of major interest for horse breeders. The results may also offer a gateway to comparative functional genomics by potentially linking both motor laterality and back inclination in horses with scoliosis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Rosengren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Heiðrún Sigurðardóttir
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Agricultural University of Iceland, Borgarnes, Iceland
| | - Susanne Eriksson
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rakan Naboulsi
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ahmad Jouni
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Miguel Novoa-Bravo
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Genética Animal de Colombia Ltda, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - Marie Rhodin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åsa Viklund
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Brandon D Velie
- School of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Juan J Negro
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - Marina Solé
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Velie BD, Smith PM, Fjordbakk CT, Solé M, Jäderkvist Fegraeus K, Rosengren MK, Røed KH, Ihler CF, Lindgren G, Strand E. Exploring the genetics underpinning dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter racehorses. Equine Vet J 2019; 52:174-180. [PMID: 31461557 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamic laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion is the most common disorder of the upper respiratory tract (URT) in the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter (NSCT). The disorder, which has also been diagnosed in other breeds of trotters and gaited horses, appears to be related to anatomic phenotypes and only occurs during poll flexion when the horse is exercised 'on the bit'. OBJECTIVES Identify genomic regions associated with DLC in the NSCT by combining a rigorous phenotyping protocol with genomic data from a high-density equine genotyping array. STUDY DESIGN Prospective case/control study. METHODS High-speed treadmill endoscopy was used to phenotype horses (n = 61) for DLC, distinguishing between cases and controls. Genome-wide association (GWA) analysis of DLC status was then performed using a principal component approach (PCA) with haplotype analyses subsequently performed for regions containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) above the suggestive genome-wide significance (GWS) threshold (P<1.0 × 10-5 ). RESULTS One region containing 10 SNPs (Equus caballus chromosome [ECA] 7: 89,601,935-94,647,192) was above the suggestive GWS threshold. Two inferred haplotypes in this region demonstrated significant differences (P<0.001) between cases and controls, with the most frequent haplotype resulting in a significantly increased risk of DLC. MAIN LIMITATIONS Small sample size as a result of stringent phenotyping protocols. CONCLUSIONS The current study highlights a candidate genomic region on ECA7 as potentially important with regard to the manifestation of DLC. Further exploration of this region and the genes included within it will bring veterinarians and researchers closer to fully understanding the biological mechanisms underlying DLC in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Velie
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - P M Smith
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - C T Fjordbakk
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - M Solé
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Jäderkvist Fegraeus
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - M K Rosengren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K H Røed
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - C F Ihler
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - G Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - E Strand
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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Velie BD, Lillie M, Fegraeus KJ, Rosengren MK, Solé M, Wiklund M, Ihler CF, Strand E, Lindgren G. Exploring the genetics of trotting racing ability in horses using a unique Nordic horse model. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:104. [PMID: 30717660 PMCID: PMC6360714 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Horses have been strongly selected for speed, strength, and endurance-exercise traits since the onset of domestication. As a result, highly specialized horse breeds have developed with many modern horse breeds often representing closed populations with high phenotypic and genetic uniformity. However, a great deal of variation still exists between breeds, making the horse particularly well suited for genetic studies of athleticism. To identify genomic regions associated with athleticism as it pertains to trotting racing ability in the horse, the current study applies a pooled sequence analysis approach using a unique Nordic horse model. Results Pooled sequence data from three Nordic horse populations were used for FST analysis. After strict filtering, FST analysis yielded 580 differentiated regions for trotting racing ability. Candidate regions on equine chromosomes 7 and 11 contained the largest number of SNPs (n = 214 and 147, respectively). GO analyses identified multiple genes related to intelligence, energy metabolism, and skeletal development as potential candidate genes. However, only one candidate region for trotting racing ability overlapped a known racing ability QTL. Conclusions Not unexpected for genomic investigations of complex traits, the current study identified hundreds of candidate regions contributing to trotting racing ability in the horse. Likely resulting from the cumulative effects of many variants across the genome, racing ability continues to demonstrate its polygenic nature with candidate regions implicating genes influencing both musculature and neurological development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5484-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D Velie
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. .,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Mette Lillie
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kim Jäderkvist Fegraeus
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria K Rosengren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marina Solé
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maja Wiklund
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carl-Fredrik Ihler
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eric Strand
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Livestock Genetics, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Velie BD, Fegraeus KJ, Solé M, Rosengren MK, Røed KH, Ihler CF, Strand E, Lindgren G. A genome-wide association study for harness racing success in the Norwegian-Swedish coldblooded trotter reveals genes for learning and energy metabolism. BMC Genet 2018; 19:80. [PMID: 30157760 PMCID: PMC6114527 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-018-0670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although harness racing is of high economic importance to the global equine industry, significant genomic resources have yet to be applied to mapping harness racing success. To identify genomic regions associated with harness racing success, the current study performs genome-wide association analyses with three racing performance traits in the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter using the 670 K Axiom Equine Genotyping Array. Results Following quality control, 613 horses and 359,635 SNPs were retained for further analysis. After strict Bonferroni correction, nine genome-wide significant SNPs were identified for career earnings. No genome-wide significant SNPs were identified for number of gallops or best km time. However, four suggestive genome-wide significant SNPs were identified for number of gallops, while 19 were identified for best km time. Multiple genes related to intelligence, energy metabolism, and immune function were identified as potential candidate genes for harness racing success. Conclusions Apart from the physiological requirements needed for a harness racing horse to be successful, the results of the current study also advocate learning ability and memory as important elements for harness racing success. Further exploration into the mental capacity required for a horse to achieve racing success is likely warranted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12863-018-0670-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D Velie
- Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Kim Jäderkvist Fegraeus
- Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marina Solé
- Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria K Rosengren
- Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Knut H Røed
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carl-Fredrik Ihler
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eric Strand
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gabriella Lindgren
- Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
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