Regiões genômicas e genes candidatos associados à posição e ao número de redemoinhos em equinos da raça quarto de milha.

Abstract

The position and number of swirls have already been associated with equine behavior, temperament and laterality. The ease of observation of epidermal marks helps to predict reactivity, thus allowing the creation of better ways of handling, training, riding and driving horses. However, little is known about the genetic formation of eddies. Thus, the objective of the study is to carry out a broad genome association analysis to identify the genomic regions associated with the presence of the eddy. Information from 403 Quarter Horses, genotyped to 63k, was used in a genome association study using the single-step procedure. The characteristics under analysis were the vertical swirl position on the horses' heads, number of swirls on the head, number of swirls on the left and right neck. The characteristics have from three to five genomic windows that explain more than 5% of the additive variance and together represent 60% to 80% of the additive variance of each analyzed characteristic. Many prospected genes related to hair follicle growth have been prospected. Some genes have a pleiotropic effect for neurological behavioral characteristics. This is the first indication of biological and physiological activity that point to an explanation of the observation of the whirlpool as an indication of temperament.