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Impaired Reproductive Function in Equines: From Genetics to Genomics
Nora Laseca1, Gabriel Anaya1, Zahira Peña1
1Departamento de genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales Ctra, Madrid-Cádiz, km 396, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|February 6, 2021
Summary
Understanding the genetic basis of equine fertility is crucial for the horse industry. Genomic research, including chromosomal analysis and mutation detection, offers new insights into reproductive disorders and performance.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Equine Science
Background:
- Equine fertility significantly impacts the industry's economic success.
- Genetic factors influencing mare reproductive performance are complex and understudied.
- Genomic advancements present opportunities to investigate equine reproductive disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the genetic underpinnings of equine reproductive performance.
- To highlight the potential of novel genomic methodologies in equine fertility research.
- To address the scarcity of genetic studies on equine reproductive traits.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing new genomic techniques for chromosomal abnormality detection.
- Employing sequencing technologies to identify fertility-influencing point mutations.
- Investigating the role of inbreeding, molecular homozygosity, copy number variants, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in fertility.
Main Results:
- Chromosomal abnormalities have been linked to equine infertility for decades.
- Point mutations, inbreeding, and homozygosity are implicated in reduced reproductive performance.
- Copy number variants and GWAS-identified candidate genes are emerging factors in reproductive success.
Conclusions:
- Genomic methodologies offer powerful tools to unravel the genetic basis of equine fertility.
- Further research is needed, particularly in obtaining comprehensive phenotypic datasets.
- Understanding these genetic factors is vital for improving equine reproductive health and industry outcomes.
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