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A review on the evaluation of horse coat color
19-26Views:0The coat color diversity of horses represents a classic example of the genetic and evolutionary effects of domestication. While wild equids exhibited limited pigmentation patterns, human-mediated selection has dramatically expanded phenotypic and genetic variation among domestic horses. This variation is influenced by multiple interacting loci, with some genes exerting pleiotropic effects on physiological and morphological traits. Modern molecular genetics has identified key loci controlling base colors (Agouti, Extension), dilution (D locus), greying (G locus), and patterned phenotypes including Tobiano and Overo, while also highlighting the increasing importance of additional white patterning mechanisms such as MITF and PAX3-associated Splashed White phenotypes and KIT gene complex variants (e.g., Sabino 1 and W1–W30 alleles). Furthermore, some coat color–associated mutations illustrate the fitness costs of selection, as seen in Overo Lethal White Syndrome (OLWS) and the association between the Silver dapple mutation and Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA), emphasizing the pleiotropic and sometimes deleterious effects of pigmentation genes). Quantitative assessment using Lab* color metrics allows objective evaluation of coat pigmentation and facilitates comparisons across breeds, ages, and sexes. Phenotypic studies show that coat color does not directly correlate with performance or temperament but may affect thermoregulation, predator avoidance, disease susceptibility, and market value. Comparative research on other livestock species confirms that coat color is largely polygenic, heritable, and influenced by human selection. Integrating molecular and phenotypic analyses enhances our understanding of the evolutionary, genetic, and practical implications of coat color variation in horses. These insights support breeding decisions, breed identification, and the conservation of genetic diversity. Overall, the study of equine coat pigmentation provides a valuable model for investigating domestication, human-driven selection, and the genetic architecture of complex traits in livestock species.
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Coincidences between molecular genetic and studbook data of gidrán mare families on the basis of mtDnA
69-73Views:640The traditional Hungarian horse breed, Gidran has been close to the edge of extinction several times. Despite the multiple bottleneck effect, the breed has retained a part of its genetic variability, and performed prominently in carriage driving and show-jumping competitions. Maintaining of the Gidran breed is important in the point of view of world heritage; because besides Hungary, smaller Gidran populations exist only in Bulgaria and Romania. Taking advantage of the special inheritance features of mtDNA, our study focused on two mtDNA regions of Gidran mares. Altogether, 251 hair samples from various Hungarian studs were examined. The analysis was successfully made in case of 251 samples of the cytochrome b and in case of 246 samples of D-loop regions. Because of the distinct mutation rates of the two mtDNA markers, the number of the haplotypes and the way of grouping samples into haplotypes was different. Our key finding was that most haplotypes may be compatible with mare families of the stud book; however incidental mistakes in stud book have occurred only in a few cases. Our results indicate the importance of the preservation and breeding those mare families, which are molecular genetically more diverse than the others, and are in the edge of extinction.