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Racing distance
| Acronym: | RACED |
| Gene: | MSTN |
| Mutation: | 227 bp SINE insertion |
| Inheritance: | Multifactorial |
| Sample type: | WBE (Whole Blood EDTA), HA (Hairs - with roots) |
| Method: | End-point PCR with agarose gel electrophoresis |
Genetics and characteristics
Racing distance is a quantitative trait that is important in many horse breeds, especially in racing horses. Horse racing is a popular and financially important industry, so researchers and horse breeders are interested in genetic and training influences that maximise athletic performance. Changes in the optimal racing distance are associated with a genetic mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene, a negative regulator of muscle growth and differentiation expressed in skeletal muscle. The insertion mutation in the MSTN gene causes a decrease in the myostatin expression, resulting in reduced endurance and quicker tiredness of the muscles.
Racing distance is inherited as a multifactorial trait, determined by the combined effect of an unknown number of loci (the MSTN gene is one of these), plus an unknown number of non-genetic factors. The mutation in the MSTN gene affects several horse breeds, including Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred. The mutation is irreversible, but early detection by genetic testing can help make the correct diagnosis and prevent further breeding of the affected horse by mating pairs selection.
Results Reported As
Test Result |
Interpretation of test result |
Short distance |
Horse does not have the gene with the mutation and will more likely be suited to short distance racing. |
Medium distance |
Horse has one copy of the gene with the mutation and will more likely be suited to medium distance racing. |
Long distance |
Horse has two copies of the gene with the mutation and will more likely be suited to long distance racing. |
References:
Farries, G., McGettigan, P. A., Gough, K. F., McGivney, B. A., MacHugh, D. E., Katz, L. M., & Hill, E. W. (2017). Genetic contributions to precocity traits in racing Thoroughbreds. Animal Genetics, 49(3), 193–204. doi:10.1111/age.12622
O’Hara, Cowan, A., Riddell, D., Massey, C., Martin, J., & Piercy, R. J. (2021). A highly prevalent SINE mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene promoter is associated with low circulating myostatin concentration in Thoroughbred racehorses. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86783-1