For genetics mavens, TB research

[vineyridge]

Fascinating new paper.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0008645

This could prove revolutionary, since specific performance genes have been identified.

[mbp]

That really could prove revolutionary. There are some ethical overtones too, aren't there? If people get sequencing done, not just on parents, but on a foal right away to determine if it has the "right" sequencing and if not, it gets tossed from "the program" is that a good thing or a bad thing? What happens on the numbers front, what info do bettors get, etc. etc.

Lots of byways to think down from this one. Thank you for linking.

[vineyridge]

Does anyone know if research facilities in continental Europe are doing similar studies on WB performance horses? It would be very interesting to learn if this combination of genes exists in their populations, and whether it could be correlated to dressage or show jumping. I know that the Germans have studied Hanoverians and the Dutch have studied KWPN horses, but are they being sequenced at all?

[sniplover]

Those are the "best" P values I've ever seen. Simply insanely tight correlations!!

[selah]

Quoted from the article:

Novel sequence variants were identified by re-sequencing the equine MSTN gene in 24 unrelated Thoroughbred horses using 13 overlapping primer pairs...

Just wondering how they found "24 unrelated Thoroughbred horses":lol::winkgrin:

[camohn]

Quoted from the article:

[COLOR="Navy"]
Just wondering how they found "24 unrelated Thoroughbred horses":lol::winkgrin:

LOL!

[ambar]

Does anyone know if research facilities in continental Europe are doing similar studies on WB performance horses? It would be very interesting to learn if this combination of genes exists in their populations, and whether it could be correlated to dressage or show jumping.

Considering that Arabian samples from Egypt were one of the comparison groups, I think it would be difficult to find a WB that didn't trace to either Thoroughbreds or Arabians. Someone's gotta put the W in there, after all. :yes:

[STABLESWOT]

Fascinating new paper.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0008645

This could prove revolutionary, since specific performance genes have been identified.

Vineyridge you are a true friend of the TB to put that up it is beautiful research! i am so glad somebody cares about this subject. There are always the best articles on plosone too!

Let us hope that all the funding starting to go to sport horse genetic research will bring research back to these pure strains of TB with rare sequences hardly seen in other breeds. Perhaps the more this is looked at some current horses that are called warmbloods will be phenotypically and also genotypically defined as more than half TB. Like William Micklem said many well known warmblood sport horses today have much more TB than admitted to by some breeders. Genotype can be determined precisely more and more each year so perhaps breed definitions will be redefined.

[Equilibrium]

The cost is very prohibitive at 1,000 euros per horse. With the industry they way it is I can't see too many breeders taking on more costs, but I'm sure the elite breeders will go for it. Trainer and breeder Jim Bolger has bought into the company so he will be pushing hard for people to get their foals tested.

I had the chance to hear Dr. Hill talking about this last year at a conference and I know she will be pushing for results to be included in catalogs. By the way she is a great speaker, loves what she does, and has time to speak to anyone.

It also should be mentioned the test tells you the best distance each horse is suited for but does not tell you whether or not they will be able to achieve this on the racecourse. But all breeders know there is more than genetics which makes an athlete.

Terri