Clinical and molecular study of the DMRT3_chr23:g.22999655C>A mutation in donkeys and mules

• Grant number: 19/08143-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: José Paes de Oliveira Filho
• Grantee: José Paes de Oliveira Filho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alexandre Secorun Borges

Abstract

Equidae have several types of gait patterns, among them are the marches picada and batida. The gene DMRT3 is responsible by control theses gait patterns and previous studies have showed the relationship between gait quality and DMRT3_chr23:g.22999655C>A mutation, with the association of the affected homozygous (AA) genotype with the picada gait (lateral gait) in horse (Equus caballus). The gait in donkey (E. asinus) and mules be also classified as batida and picada and may be also associated with this mutation, as well as, by the important role of these animals in the Brazilian equine industry and agribusiness. Therefore, the goal of this study will be to evaluate the relationship of this mutation in donkeys and mules. Initially the donkey DMRT3 mRNA will be sequenced in order to verify the homology of this gene between the E. asinus and E. caballus. Then, 30 donkeys, commonly used in commercial breeding programs, and 180 mules will be genotyping for mutation. It is expected at the end, to verify the relation of the genotype (CC, CA, and AA) to the type of gait and to verify the possible participation of the donkeys in the allelic frequency of mules. (AU)