Breed Genetic Issues/research

[Movin_Artfully]

AQHA does extensive research and publication/awareness on genetic issues HYPP (Impressive) and HERDA (Cutting bred) and other heritable issues. Both HYPP and HERDA affect a small percentage of the breed and are easily diagnosed through blood tests thanks in part to this research.

Do any warmblood registries/other breeds do research for breed specific issues? What issues do you see/look out for in your breed? Where do you find the information?

Please keep this educational, provide research links.

[camohn]

I am not sure about who is doing the research.
With Arabs there is SCID (there is a DNA test)
With Paints the frame/leathal white issue (well documented with DNA testing) and splash horses having a higher than normal level of deafness…usually accompanied by the white topped head/ears (no DNA test for Splash yet).
WBs have a higher than other breed incidence with OCD/ it seems the cause there is a mixed bag of genetics, feed and environment (ie turnout etc).

[Wayside]

Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa is a concern for Belgian Draft breeders.

http://www.belgiancorp.com/jeb.html

http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/jeb.php

UC Davis has a wide variety of genetic testing available, and lots of information on their website. http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/index.php

[Movin_Artfully]

Are OCD issues considered hereditary? Anyone known of stallion registries that provide Xray info?

[BravAddict]

If you search Google Scholar for osteochondrosis warmblood or something similar, you will find what most registries put their research dollars towards. OCD does not follow Mendellian inheritance like HERDA, LWS, HYPP, etc because it has many genetic and environmental causes.

Horses with heritable congenital abnormalities on the scale of HERDA or HYPP would not be approved for breeding in the first place. Here are some recent findings:

(PDF) http://elib.tiho-hannover.de/dissertations/lampev_ss09.pdf#page=99
Identification of a gene, polymorphisms of which contribute to OCD.

http://www.animal-science.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/6/1906
This study aimed to standardize how OCD is scaled/scored and the heritability of the condition.

Just two studies. http://scholar.google.com/

[stoicfish]

http://www.hanoverian.org/ahs_media/...ticles/OCD.pdf

This was posted by Yankee Lawyer and it points to a genetic correlation. I would think it is more about a weakness as opposed to a acute disease. But it would be interesting to see the stats on offspring of sire and dam with OCD. Bet it would be high.

[ahf]

Some registries, such as American Hanoverian, require prospective stallions to have extensive radiographs taken and reviewed by a panel of vets at Rood and Riddle. They can’t even go to the licensing unless they get a good report.

The registry will accept Class I and Class II (minor issue) radiographs. I do state on my stallion’s webpage that he has class I xrays.

[goodmorning]

I have read that a specific line of Holsteiners are known to have OCD…however, the line seems to have overcome any issues they may have faced as youngsters.

[ambar]

The Arabian registry has started a foundation (501©3) which funds research of interest to Arab breeders. Here’s the page:

http://www.arabianhorses.org/education/genetic/

In addition to SCID, there is Cerebellar Abiotrophy, Lavender Foal Syndrome, and some others.

[vineyridge]

The worldwide Jockey Clubs, in America through the Grayson Foundation, have supported most of the equine research around the world for years.

[Dan]

I’ve also read that the correlation between OCD and performance is positive. I think the German Hannoverian Verband did a study. I think there was also a study on trotters that reached the same conclusion.

Dan