Population structure and signature of selection for body size in some Iranian and exotic horse breeds

IF 1.6 3区农林科学 Q2 VETERINARY SCIENCES

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Pub Date : 2025-07-29 DOI:10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105658

Banafsheh Bazvand , Amir Rashidi , Mohammad Bagher Zandi , Mohammad Hossein Moradi , Jalal Rostamzadeh , Peyman Mahmoudi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Iran is home to genetically distinct horse breeds shaped by geography and history. Breeds like the Kurdish, Caspian pony, and Turkmen reflect deep-rooted diversity and unique adaptive traits.

Aims/Objectives

This study aimed to identify genomic regions exhibiting signatures of selection and to detect candidate genes and biological pathways related to body size that may influence performance in various Iranian and exotic horse breeds.

Methods

Samples were collected from three Iranian native breeds (Caspian pony, Turkmen, and Kurdish) and three exotic breeds (Fell pony, Arabian, and Akhal-Teke) originating from England, the Middle East, and Turkmenistan, respectively. Genotyping data included 50 K SNPs for the exotic breeds and 70 K SNPs for the Iranian breeds. To explore population structure and genetic differentiation, Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) was conducted.

Results

Population structure analysis showed clear separation between pony and light horse breeds, with Akhal-Teke and Turkmen clustering together and Fell ponies forming a distinct group. Using FLK and hapFLK tests, we identified 124 and 127 candidate genes under selection, respectively. Several genes were linked to body size traits, including those involved in bone mineralization, osteoblast differentiation, growth factor signaling, and tissue development. Notably, we identified novel genes including SAMD7, SPARC1, IBSP, MEPE, DEUP12, PLAAT1, and SPP1 that not previously reported in horse studies, offering new insights into equine morphology.

Conclusion

Results revealed selection signatures linked to genes influencing body size and development, including several novel candidates. These findings deepen our understanding of equine morphology and warrant further investigation using larger sample sizes.

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一些伊朗和外来马品种的种群结构和体型选择特征。

背景：伊朗是由地理和历史形成的遗传上独特的马品种的家园。像库尔德马、里海马和土库曼马这样的品种反映了根深蒂固的多样性和独特的适应特征。目的/目的：本研究旨在确定表现出选择特征的基因组区域，并检测可能影响各种伊朗和外来马品种表现的与体型相关的候选基因和生物学途径。方法：分别采集来自英国、中东和土库曼斯坦的3个伊朗本土品种（里海马、土库曼马和库尔德马）和3个外来品种（费尔马、阿拉伯马和阿克哈尔-特克马）。基因分型数据包括外来品种的50K个snp和伊朗品种的70K个snp。为探究种群结构和遗传分化，采用主成分判别分析（DAPC）方法。结果：种群结构分析显示，矮马和轻马品种之间存在明显的分离，阿克哈-特克马和土库曼马聚集在一起，费尔马形成一个独立的群体。通过FLK和hapFLK测试，我们分别鉴定出124个和127个候选基因。有几个基因与体型特征有关，包括那些与骨矿化、成骨细胞分化、生长因子信号传导和组织发育有关的基因。值得注意的是，我们发现了新的基因，包括SAMD7、SPARC1、IBSP、MEPE、DEUP12、PLAAT1和SPP1，这些基因以前没有在马的研究中报道过，为马的形态学提供了新的见解。结论：结果揭示了与影响体型和发育的基因相关的选择特征，包括一些新的候选基因。这些发现加深了我们对马形态的理解，并保证了进一步的研究使用更大的样本量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 农林科学-兽医学

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

7.70%

发文量

249

审稿时长

77 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (JEVS) is an international publication designed for the practicing equine veterinarian, equine researcher, and other equine health care specialist. Published monthly, each issue of JEVS includes original research, reviews, case reports, short communications, and clinical techniques from leaders in the equine veterinary field, covering such topics as laminitis, reproduction, infectious disease, parasitology, behavior, podology, internal medicine, surgery and nutrition.