Investigation of the SCID mutant allele in Turkish Arabian horses reared in some private farms of the Eskişehir region in Turkey

Abstract

There are several known hereditary diseases in Arabian horses. Many studies have been conducted on molecular diagnostic methods of the mutations that cause these hereditary defects in horses. A five-base deletion in the short arm (ECA9p12) of the equine chromosome 9, starting with codon 9480, which occurs in the catalytic subunit gene of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) results in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) hereditary disorder. SCID is an autosomal recessive disorder wherein the immune system of the affected foal is very weak. Purebred Turkish Arabian horses reared in the Eskişehir region have contributed greatly to Turkish Arabian horse breeding and racing. The aim of this study was to detect the SCID mutant allele by using DNA sequencing analysis in Turkish Arabian horses, raised in nine different private farms in Eskişehir. It was determined that none of the horses evaluated in this study carried the SCID mutant allele.

The Differences in Arabian Horse Body Measurements Used in Different Horse Sports (Racing and Jereed)

“…The chest width value seen in racing horses is higher than the values reported by a number of researchers (Sadek et al, 2006;Gücüyener & Akçapınar, 2011;Yilmaz et al, 2012;Yildirim & Yildiz, 2013a). Horses with well-developed chests and large chest cavities are preferred (Doğan et al, 2002;Akçapınar & Özbeyaz, 1999). Racing horses have a large chest depth, which may be explained by the fact that the measurement of chest depth is proportional to respiratory system.…”

“…Horses are one of the world's oldest pure breeds, having been raised on the Arabian Peninsula and in its environs from B.C. 2000 (Özbeyaz & Akçapınar, 2005;Doğan et al, 2002). The Arabian horse has made a significant contribution to the development of new breeds through hybridization research in the horse breeding industry because of its symmetrical body, grazing, resistance to various environmental conditions, ability to perform well in long-distance racing, and high hereditary power (Doğan et al, 2002;Evans, 2000).…”

“…2000 (Özbeyaz & Akçapınar, 2005;Doğan et al, 2002). The Arabian horse has made a significant contribution to the development of new breeds through hybridization research in the horse breeding industry because of its symmetrical body, grazing, resistance to various environmental conditions, ability to perform well in long-distance racing, and high hereditary power (Doğan et al, 2002;Evans, 2000). Horses can be identified by their body measurements, which are used to evaluate how well their anatomy fits together or to contrast normal and pathological growth (Sadek et al, 2006;Anderson & Mcllwraith, 2004).…”