Reliability of genomic predictions is influenced by the size and genetic composition of the reference population. For German Warmblood horses, compilation of a reference population has been ...enabled through the cooperation of five German breeding associations. In this study, preliminary data from this joint reference population were used to genetically and genomically characterize withers height and to apply single-step methodology for estimating genomic breeding values for withers height. Using data on 2113 mares and their genomic information considering about 62,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), analysis of the genomic relationship revealed substructures reflecting breed origin and different breeding goals of the contributing breeding associations. A genome-wide association study confirmed a known quantitative trait locus (QTL) for withers height on equine chromosome (ECA) 3 close to
LCORL
and identified a further significant peak on ECA 1. Using a single-step approach with a combined relationship matrix, the estimated heritability for withers height was 0.31 (SE = 0.08) and the corresponding genomic breeding values ranged from − 2.94 to 2.96 cm. A mean reliability of 0.38 was realized for these breeding values. The analyses of withers height showed that compiling a reference population across breeds is a suitable strategy for German Warmblood horses. The single-step method is an appealing approach for practical genomic prediction in horses, because not many genotypes are available yet and animals without genotypes can by this way directly contribute to the estimation system.
An on-line discussion board was used to foster interactive learning communities with discussion-based approach to solving case studies (CS) in an undergraduate equine nutrition course. Students (n=48 ...in 2011 and n=40 in 2013) were required to post pertinent discussion three or more times and then demonstrate comprehension of the case study topic through a group presentation in class. In 2011, students were given one week to complete the first two CS. In an attempt to curb procrastination, a split deadline approach was used in the third and final CS in 2011 and in both CS in 2013 where students were required to complete half of the CS posts within the first week of a two-week deadline. Student performance on CS was positively correlated with performance on homework (P < 0.001), quizzes (P =0.0001) and examinations (P =0.0097). Further, the incidence of early posts increased from 37.89% to 52.12% when moving from a single to a split deadline (P = 0.0375). Upon completion of these CS, students reported that information covered by CS was applicable to the real world and is essential for horse owners (P < 0.0001). Enhanced active learning was evident based on correlations of CS scores with other course assessments and favorable responses from students.
Antimicrobials are added to semen extenders to inhibit the growth of bacteria that are transferred to the semen during collection. However, this non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials could contribute ...to the development of antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to determine changes in the antibiotic susceptibility of vaginal microbiota after artificial insemination. Swabs were taken from the vagina of 26 mares immediately before artificial insemination and again 3 days later. Bacteria isolated from the vagina at both time points were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. In total, 32 bacterial species were identified. There were increases in the resistance of
to trimethoprim (
= 0.0006), chloramphenicol and (
= 0.012) tetracycline (
= 0.03) between day 0 and day 3. However, there was no significant effect of exposure to antibiotics in semen extenders with respect to the resistance of
and
(
> 0.05). Whole-genome sequencing indicated that most phenotypic resistance was associated with genes for resistance. These results indicate that the resistance patterns of vaginal bacteria may be affected by exposure to antibiotics; therefore, it would be prudent to minimize, or preferably, avoid using antibiotics in semen extenders.
Selective breeding has led to gradual changes at the genome level of horses. Deciphering selective pressure patterns is progressive to understand how breeding strategies have shaped the sport horse ...genome; although, little is known about the genomic regions under selective pressures in sport horse breeds. The major goal of this study was to shed light on genomic regions and biological pathways under selective pressures in sport horses. In this study, whole-genome sequences of 16 modern sport and 35 non-sport horses were used to investigate the genomic selective signals of sport performance, by employing fixation index, nucleotide diversity, and Tajima's D approaches. A total number of 49 shared genes were identified using these approaches. The functional enrichment analysis for candidate genes revealed novel significant biological processes related to musculoskeletal system development, such as limb development and morphogenesis, having been targeted by selection in sport breeds.
As a country officially engaged in the intangible cultural heritage (hereafter ICH) inventorying and other safeguarding mechanisms of the UNESCO 2003 Convention, Romania provides an example of how ...folklorists strive to transcend the traditional rules of their discipline and to adapt their methodology and overview to supporting the implementation of the Convention. Starting from the recent Romanian contribution to the multinational file for inscribing the “Lipizzan horse breeding traditions” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this paper highlights the counterbalancing influences encountered during this process. Given the distance between this ICH element and the topoi that stand in the mainstream of Romanian folklore studies, the author will provide arguments for considering horse husbandry as a worthy example of living heritage in Romania, ensuring visibility to this tradition in a context dominated by the definition of folklore as an artistic or expressive phenomenon that is being (re)presented as ICH and less by folklife and aesthetic social and cultural manifestations. Using other examples of Romanian living heritage less visible at the level of scholarly and policy initiatives, the author pleads for a middle ground between traditional folklore studies and the theory and current practices of documenting living heritage. The topic may thus contribute to greater efforts to break the old rules of the discipline, turning experts’ eyes from mythological horses to real ones.
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