DMRT3 is associated with gait type in Mangalarga Marchador horses, but does not control gait ability. (18th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patterson, L.; Staiger, E. A.; Brooks, S. A.
• Is Part Of: Animal genetics. Volume 46:Number 2(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2015-02-18
• Subjects: Animal genetics -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1111/age.12273
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-9146

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="age12273-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The Mangalarga Marchador (MM) is a Brazilian horse breed known for a uniquely smooth gait. A recent publication described a mutation in the <italic>DMRT3</italic> gene that the authors claim controls the ability to perform lateral patterned gaits (Andersson <italic>et al</italic>. 2012). We tested 81 MM samples for the <italic>DMRT3</italic> mutation using extracted DNA from hair bulbs using a novel RFLP. Horses were phenotypically categorized by their gait type (batida or picada), as recorded by the Brazilian Mangalarga Marchador Breeders Association (ABCCMM). Statistical analysis using the <sc>plink</sc> toolset (Purcell, 2007) revealed significant association between gait type and the <italic>DMRT3</italic> mutation (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>2.3e‐22). Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium suggests that selective pressure for gait type is altering allele frequencies in this breed (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>1.00e‐5). These results indicate that this polymorphism may be useful for genotype‐assisted selection for gait type within this breed. As both batida and picada MM horses can perform lateral gaits, the <italic>DMRT3</italic> mutation is not the only locus responsible for the lateral gait pattern.</p> </abstract>