A Genome-wide association study for morphometric traits in Quarter Horse

Abstract Text: A GWAS for conformation traits was conducted in 184 Quarter Horses, 120 from a racing line and 64 from a cutting line, which were genotyped using the Illumina EquineSNP50 chip. Association analysis was performed with 42,058 SNPs using Qxpak5 software. The following traits were measured: weight, rump and body length. These morphometric traits are important for the best performance in race and cutting events. The analysis revealed 8 associated chromosomal regions. For weight, 3 SNPs associated (P < 0.0001) were found on chromosomes (ECA) 2 and 3. For rump were found 8 associated (P < 0.0001) on ECA 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 21, and 26. On ECA 3, 8, 2 SNPs were associated (P < 0.0001) with body length. Positional and functional candidate genes emerging from this study were WWOX and AAVPR1A. Further studies are required to confirm these associations in other populations. 

Keywords:

Equus caballus

SNPs

QTL