Genome-wide association study suggests genetic candidate loci of insulin dysregulation in Finnhorses.
Authors: Weckman M J, Karikoski N P, Raekallio M R, Box J R, Kvist L
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
Equine metabolic syndrome represents a significant welfare concern across the horse population, with insulin dysregulation (ID) as its defining feature alongside obesity and laminitis susceptibility; whilst environmental management through diet and exercise is well-established, the genetic architecture underlying ID remains poorly characterised. Weckman and colleagues conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 71 Finnhorses (34 with ID confirmed via oral sugar testing, 37 controls), genotyping 65,157 single-nucleotide polymorphisms to identify genetic variants associated with dysregulation. Two SNPs exceeded the suggestive significance threshold—BIEC2_383954 on chromosome 17 (P = 3.45 × 10⁻⁶) and BIEC2_312374 on chromosome 15 (P = 1.89 × 10⁻⁵)—with candidate genes near the chromosome 17 locus (ARGLU1 and EFNB2) functionally linked to carbohydrate metabolism. For practitioners, these findings suggest that genetic predisposition to ID in Finnhorses involves specific metabolic pathways; recognising breed-specific genetic risk factors may help inform selective breeding decisions and identify at-risk individuals requiring closer monitoring, though further research across larger populations and multiple breeds is needed to establish clinical utility and translate these genomic markers into practical screening tools.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Genetic testing for these SNPs may eventually enable early identification of Finnhorses predisposed to insulin dysregulation, allowing preventive nutritional and exercise management before clinical signs develop
- •Results suggest insulin dysregulation has heritable genetic components in addition to environmental factors, supporting the need for selective breeding practices that consider metabolic status
- •Further validation across larger populations and other horse breeds is needed before clinical implementation of genetic screening
Key Findings
- •Two SNPs exceeded suggestive significance threshold for association with insulin dysregulation: BIEC2_383954 on chromosome 17 (P=3.45×10⁻⁶) and BIEC2_312374 on chromosome 15 (P=1.89×10⁻⁵)
- •Candidate genes ARGLU1 and EFNB2 near the most significant SNP on chromosome 17 have known functions in carbohydrate metabolism
- •FST outlier tests confirmed both SNPs as potential genetic loci influencing insulin dysregulation in Finnhorses