• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권9호
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• pp.1460-1465
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• 2021

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the diversity of donkey populations by comparing with the diversity of Thoroughbred and Jeju Halla horses; identified breeding backgrounds can contribute to management and conservation of donkeys in South Korea. Methods: A total of 100 horse (50 Thoroughbreds and 50 Jeju Halla horses) and 79 donkeys samples were genotyped with 15 microsatellite markers (AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, CA425, HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG10, LEX3, and VHL20), to identify genetic diversity and relationships among horses and donkeys. Results: The observed number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 (ASB17, HMS1) to 14 (AHT5), with a mean value of 4.87, 8.00, and 5.87 in Thoroughbreds, Jeju Halla horses, and donkeys, respectively. Of the 15 markers, AHT4, AHT5, ASB23, CA425, HMS2, HMS3, HTG4, HTG10, and LEX3 loci had relatively high polymorphism information content (PIC) values (PIC>0.5) in these three populations. Mean levels of genetic variation were H_E = 0.6721 and H_O = 0.6600 in Thoroughbreds, H_E = 0.7898 and H_O = 0.7100 in Jeju Halla horses, and H_E = 0.5635 and H_O = 0.4861 in donkeys. Of the 15 loci in donkeys, three loci had negative inbreeding coefficients (FIS), with a moderate mean FIS (0.138). The FIS estimate for the HTG4 marker was highest (0.531) and HMS6 marker was lowest (-0.001). The total probability of exclusion value of 15 microsatellite loci was 0.9996 in donkeys. Conclusion: Genetic cluster analysis showed that the genetic relationship among 79 donkeys was generally consistent with pedigree records. Among the three breeds, donkeys and Thoroughbred horses formed clearly different groups, but the group of Jeju Halla horses overlapped with that of Thoroughbred horses, suggesting that the loci would be suitable for donkey parentage testing. Therefore, the results of this study are a valid tool for genetic study and conservation of donkeys.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.79-82
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• 2006

A 5 years old gelding (Thoroughbred, Equus caballus) had shown severe abdominal pain, colic, after overeating of hay in the feed storage. following through treatment, it subsequently died. Grossly, the large colon was impacted with firm mass of food and congestion of blood vessel in the intestinal wall. There were mild peritonitis and pleuropneumonia. This case demonstrates typical large colon impaction with hard consistence ingesta due to improper management of horse.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권10호
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• pp.796-804
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• 2017

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have been integrated into vertebrate genomes and have momentously affected host organisms. Horses (Equus caballus) have been domesticated and selected for elite racing ability over centuries. ERVs played an important role in the evolutionary diversification of the horse genome. In the present study, we identified six equine ERV families (EqERVs-E1, I1, M2, P1, S1, and Y4), their full-length viral open reading frames (ORFs), and elucidated their phylogenetic relationships. The divergence time of EqERV families assuming an evolutionary rate of 0.2%/Myr indicated that EqERV-S3 (75.4 million years ago; mya) on chromosome 10 is an old EqERV family and EqERV-P5 (1.2 Mya) on chromosome 12 is a young member. During the evolutionary diversification of horses, the EqERV-I family diverged 1.7 Mya to 38.7 Mya. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) amplification of EqERV pol genes showed greater expression in the cerebellum of the Jeju horse than the Thoroughbred horse. These results could contribute further dynamic studies for horse genome in relation to EqERV gene function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.743-748
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular characteristics of the horse vascular endothelial growth factor alpha gene ($VEGF{\alpha}$) by constructing a phylogenetic tree, and to investigate gene expression profiles in tissues and blood leukocytes after exercise for development of suitable biomarkers. Using published amino acid sequences of other vertebrate species (human, chimpanzee, mouse, rat, cow, pig, chicken and dog), we constructed a phylogenetic tree which showed that equine $VEGF{\alpha}$ belonged to the same clade of the pig $VEGF{\alpha}$. Analysis for synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous substitution ratios (Ka) revealed that the horse $VEGF{\alpha}$ underwent positive selection. RNA was extracted from blood samples before and after exercise and different tissue samples of three horses. Expression analyses using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed ubiquitous expression of $VEGF{\alpha}$ mRNA in skeletal muscle, kidney, thyroid, lung, appendix, colon, spinal cord, and heart tissues. Analysis of differential expression of $VEGF{\alpha}$ gene in blood leukocytes after exercise indicated a unimodal pattern. These results will be useful in developing biomarkers that can predict the recovery capacity of racing horses.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권9호
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• pp.1289-1302
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• 2022

The next generation sequencing has significantly contributed to clarify the genome structure of many species of zootechnical interest. However, to date, some portions of the genome, especially those linked to a heterogametic nature such as the Y chromosome, are difficult to assemble and many gaps are still present. It is well known that the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an excellent tool for identifying genes unequivocably mapped on chromosomes. Therefore, FISH can contribute to the localization of unplaced genome sequences, as well as to correct assembly errors generated by comparative bioinformatics. To this end, it is necessary to have starting points; therefore, in this study, we reviewed the physically mapped genes on the Y chromosome of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and alpacas. A total of 208 loci were currently mapped by FISH. 89 were located in the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) and 119 were identified in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR). The loci reported in MSY and PAR were respectively: 18 and 25 in Bos taurus, 5 and 7 in Bubalus bubalis, 5 and 24 in Ovis aries, 5 and 19 in Capra hircus, 10 and 16 in Sus scrofa, 46 and 18 in Equus caballus. While in Vicugna pacos only 10 loci are reported in the PAR region. The correct knowledge and assembly of all genome sequences, including those of genes mapped on the Y chromosome, will help to elucidate their biological processes, as well as to discover and exploit potentially epistasis effects useful for selection breeding programs.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.799-807
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• 2014

Meat source fraud and adulteration scandals have led to consumer demands for accurate meat identification methods. Nucleotide amplification assays have been proposed as an alternative method to protein-based assays for meat identification. In this study, we designed Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays targeting species-specific mitochondrial DNA to identify and discriminate eight meat species; cattle, pig, horse, goat, sheep, chicken, duck, and turkey. The LAMP primer sets were designed and the target genes were discriminated according to their unique annealing temperature generated by annealing curve analysis. Their unique annealing temperatures were found to be $85.56{\pm}0.07^{\circ}C$ for cattle, $84.96{\pm}0.08^{\circ}C$ for pig, and $85.99{\pm}0.05^{\circ}C$ for horse in the BSE-LAMP set (Bos taurus, Sus scrofa domesticus and Equus caballus); $84.91{\pm}0.11^{\circ}C$ for goat and $83.90{\pm}0.11^{\circ}C$ for sheep in the CO-LAMP set (Capra hircus and Ovis aries); and $86.31{\pm}0.23^{\circ}C$ for chicken, $88.66{\pm}0.12^{\circ}C$ for duck, and $84.49{\pm}0.08^{\circ}C$ for turkey in the GAM-LAMP set (Gallus gallus, Anas platyrhynchos and Meleagris gallopavo). No cross-reactivity was observed in each set. The limits of detection (LODs) of the LAMP assays in raw and cooked meat were determined from $10pg/{\mu}L$ to $100fg/{\mu}L$ levels, and LODs in raw and cooked meat admixtures were determined from 0.01% to 0.0001% levels. The assays were performed within 30 min and showed greater sensitivity than that of the PCR assays. These novel LAMP assays provide a simple, rapid, accurate, and sensitive technology for discrimination of eight meat species.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권12호
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• pp.1827-1838
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• 2022

Objective: The semen quality of stallions including sperm motility is an important target of selection as it has a high level of individual variability. However, effects of the molecular architecture of the genome on the mechanisms of sperm formation and their preservation after thawing have been poorly investigated. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the sperm motility of cryopreserved semen in stallions of various breeds. Methods: Semen samples were collected from the stallions of 23 horse breeds. The following semen characteristics were examined: progressive motility (PM), progressive motility after freezing (FPM), and the difference between PM and FPM. The respective DNA samples from these stallions were genotyped using Axiom Equine Genotyping Array. Results: We performed a GWAS search for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and potential genes related to motility properties of frozen-thawed semen in the stallions of various breeds. As a result of the GWAS analysis, two SNP markers, rs1141327473 and rs1149048772, were identified that were associated with preservation of the frozen-thawed stallion sperm motility, the relevant putative candidate genes being NME/NM23 family member 8 (NME8), olfactory receptor family 2 subfamily AP member 1 (OR2AP1), and olfactory receptor family 6 subfamily C member 4 (OR6C4). Potential implications of effects of these genes on sperm motility are herein discussed. Conclusion: The GWAS results enabled us to localize novel SNPs and candidate genes for sperm motility in stallions. Implications of the study for horse breeding and genetics are a better understanding of genomic regions and candidate genes underlying stallion sperm quality, and improvement in horse reproduction and breeding techniques. The identified markers and genes for sperm cryotolerance and the respective genomic regions are promising candidates for further studying the biological processes in the formation and function of the stallion reproductive system.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2014

본 연구의 목적은 말의 열충격 단백질 유전자의 특성을 구명하고 말의 각 조직과 운동 전과 후 혈액에서 열충격 단백질 유전자의 발현량을 분석함에 있다. 이전의 연구를 통해, 대표적인 경주마인 더러브렛의 혈액과 골격근에서 운동 전, 후 RNA-sequencing을 통해 차등발현유전자 분석을 실시하고, 본 연구를 위해 운동 전과 후에 차등 발현된 유전자 중, 열충격 단백질 유전자(HspH1, Hsp90${\alpha}$, Hsp70)를 선택하였다. 세 개의 열충격 단백질 유전자는 각각의 혈액이나 근육에서 운동 전에 비해 후에 발현이 증가된 것으로 확인됐다. 본 연구팀은 선정된 유전자에 대한 검증과 분석을 위해, 말의 조직별 RT-PCR 분석과 운동시간별 백혈구에서 real time qPCR 분석을 실시하였다. 그 결과 말의 각 조직(갑상선, 결장, 골격근, 맹장, 신장, 심장, 척수, 폐)에서 세 개의 열충격 단백질 유전자 mRNA가 모두 존재함을 알 수 있었다. 또한, 말의 운동 시간 별 혈액에서 mRNA를 추출하여 열충격 단백질의 운동 시간에 따른 발현 양상 분석을 실시한 결과, 운동 전에 비해 운동 120분 후 열충격 단백질 유전자의 발현량이 증가함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 인간과 다른 동물 실험의 결과와 일치하며, 열충격 단백질 유전자 전사 조절기작이 종간에 보존이 되어왔음을 시사한다. 또한, 운동에 따른 열충격 단백질 유전자의 발현 양상과 운동 수행 및 회복 기작간의 상관관계에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요함을 제안하는 바이다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권12호
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• pp.1088-1093
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• 2021

제주마는 한국의 말 품종으로 제주도에서 오랜 기간 자생하여 왔다. 제주마의 기원은 몽골마에서 유래한 것으로 추정되었다. 그러나 최근 연구에서 제주마와 몽골 토종마를 비교 한 결과, 유전적으로 가까우나 제주마가 몽고마와 독립적으로 진화해 온 것으로 보고되었다. 제주마는 경주마로 이용되어 경주 능력이 주요한 경제 형질로 활용되고 있다. Myostatin (MSTN) 유전자는 다양한 포유류에서 골격근량에 영향을 미치는 것으로 연구되었다. Thoroughbred에서 MSTN 유전자 내 존재하는 변이가 경주 능력 및 스태미너에 영향을 미치는 것으로 알려져 있다. 우리는 제주마 1,433두를 포함하여 여러 말 품종의 MSTN 유전자내 변이 빈도를 비교하였다. MSTN 유전자의 g.66493737 변이 중 장거리 적성 유전자형(TT)의 경우 제주마에서 빈도가 0.826으로 한라마(0.285) 및 Thoroughbred (0.252)보다 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 또한 다른 연구를 참고하여 8종 말에서 g.66493737 빈도를 비교하였다. 그 결과, 경주마로 활용되는 품종은 CC형의 빈도가 높았으나, TT형의 빈도는 낮은 것으로 확인되었다. 반대로 승용마 및 역용마 등의 품종은 TT형의 빈도가 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 제주마의 경주 거리(400 m, 800 m, 900 m, 1,000 m, 1,110 m, 1,200 m)별로 유전자형과 도착 기록을 비교 분석했다. 그 결과 1,000 m 이하의 경주에서는 CT형이 TT형보다 더 빠른 도달 기록을 보였다. 그러나 1,110 m 이상의 경주에서는 거의 동일한 결과가 확인되었다. 본 연구에서는 제주마의 MSTN 유전자 변이가 경주 거리 적성과 관련이 있을 수 있음을 시사하였다. 이러한 결과는 추후 연구를 통해 제주마에서 경주 거리 적성 및 경주 능력과 연관된 마커 개발을 위한 자료로 활용이 가능할 것으로 사료된다.