Abstract #T237

Section: Horse Species
Session: Horse Species
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Tuesday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Gatlin Ballroom
# T237
Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms effects on injury predisposition in a population of multi-discipline athletically trained horses.
Sarah Mercer1, Neely Walker2, Matthew Garcia*1,2, 1Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 2LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA.

Tendon and ligament injuries (TLIs) in the performance horse represent a significant burden to the equine industry. Furthermore, treatment is often unsuccessful and re-injury common, prevention of TLIs is a major goal. The objective of the current study was to evaluate a population of athletically trained horses from multiple disciplines for SNP located 5 candidate genes in association with increased injury predisposition or injury resistance. A total population of 63 performance horses with documented injury history or injury resistance was utilized for the current study. Specifically, the study was comprised of 25 horses of various ages with at least one injury and 33 horses of various ages with no injury history. A 5mL blood sample collected from all horses via jugular venipuncture and DNA was subsequently extracted from white blood cell buffy coats for SNP genotyping. The 5 candidate genes selected for evaluation included the Angiotensin 1 converter enzyme gene (ACE), the ATPase α 2 peptide gene (ATP1A2) the Bradykinin receptor B2 gene (BDKRB2), the Collagen type 1 α 1 gene (COL1A1) and the Collagen type 5 α 1 gene (COL5A1). Candidate genes in the current study have been previously reported to be associated with jumping ability (ACE), racing ability (ATP1A2), and ligament and tendon injuries (BDKRB2, COL1A1 and COL5A1). A total of 64 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were selected across all candidate genes (ACE = 11, ATP1A2 = 14, BDKRB2 = 9, COL1A1 = 14, COL5A1 = 16). A mixed model analysis was utilized for the current data set with independent variables of sex, breed, age, discipline, training start age, first competition age, first age of injury, and number of years in competition. Independent effects included injury status (injured or not injured) and inherited SNP genotype for each unique SNP located on the previously described candidate genes. Although multiple SNP were identified in the current study as being associated with injury susceptibility/resistance, these SNP and a greater number of candidate genes must be evaluated in larger more diverse populations before implementation into selection strategies.

Key Words: equine, injury, SNP