McCoy, A. M. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2025

United States stakeholder insights on genetic testing for equine health and breeding

The S1094 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Multistate Research Project is a community of scientists working together to utilize equine genetics and genomics to improve the health and well-being of horses while also providing educational and genetic testing resources to those in the equine industry. To assess the knowledge and priorities of stakeholders regarding genetic testing, we conducted an online survey targeting horse owners and enthusiasts in the United States. Data were collected from March to October 2024 with 412 respondents from 44 states completing the survey. Most of the survey participants were horse owners, and the two most common age ranges for respondents were 31-50 (33.6%) and 51-70 (33.3%) years old. The two most common use categories for horses reported by respondents were sport and stock horses. The survey revealed that a majority of respondents were confident in their knowledge of genetics and that they relied primarily on breed and discipline organizations, as well as universities for their genetic information. Secondarily they relied upon social media and their veterinarians. Respondents expressed significant interest in genetic testing for diversity and performance traits. Across all horse use categories, arthritis, colic and intestinal disease, laminitis, metabolic disorders, and tendon and ligament issues had the greatest level of concern - all of which are complex genetic traits and will require collaborative efforts to discern levels of genetic involvement. Results from the survey underscore the need for continued outreach and education of horse owners, as well as further development of genetic testing tools to support informed decision-making among stakeholders in the equine industry. Lay SummaryGenetic testing helps horse owners, breeders, and breed registries and associations verify parentage, evaluate health, and improve performance. The S1094 USDA Multistate Research Project has a mission of improving genomics and genetics tools, as well as providing educational resources for those in the equine industry. To better understand the knowledge and priorities of stakeholders in the equine industry, we conducted an online survey netting responses from 412 individuals in the United States. Respondents were primarily horse owners who self-identified as confident in their knowledge of horse genetics. Furthermore, those responding indicated that their primary resources for information about genetics were breed and discipline association websites and universities. They also expressed interest in genetic testing for diversity and performance traits. Across all horse use categories, arthritis, colic and intestinal disease, laminitis, metabolic disorders, and tendon and ligament issues had the greatest level of concern. Given the complex nature of these conditions, collaborative efforts will be required to discern levels of genetic involvement. Respondents felt that genetic testing and education efforts have significant impacts on the equine industry because they aid owners in making breeding decisions and in the management of horse health and well-being. Teaser TextThis nationwide survey of U.S. horse owners discerned strong stakeholder interest in equine genetic testing, determined sources for knowledge acquisition, and highlighted key priorities for the development of genetic tools and educational materials.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2024

A simple analytical model for predicting locomotive ground reaction forces

Equine models are useful in biomechanics research of locomotion due to their similarity in musculoskeletal tissue to humans, their athletic nature, and rapid skeletal development which permits ontogenetic studies. However, a continuing challenge in musculoskeletal models for large animal biomechanics is measuring the ground reaction force (GRF) during locomotion. This gap has resulted in a lack of reporting of gait measures such as joint torques. Here we propose an analytical method for predicting ground reaction forces in foals (growing horses) based on the Froude number. Motion capture, GRF, and subject mass data during walking and trotting gaits were collected longitudinally. To account for differences in subject size, we calculated the dimensionless Froude number (Fr=v2/(g*l)). The walk-trot transition speed occurred near Fr=0.5, v=1.75-2.15 m/s and was consistent for all evaluated ages. Of the analytical regression models tested, linear regression models had the best performance for predicting vertical GRF data in foals with an average absolute error percent of 7.97% during trotting and 2.39% during walking, compared to a non-linear logistic model with an error of 8.38%. The model was converted to Python and implemented to predict GRF data for foals using the subject velocity and limb length as input. Our resulting analytical model can be used to estimate the GRF profile of equine gait enabling comparative studies of locomotion.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2021

HA and M2 sequences alter the replication of 2013-16 H1 Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Infection in Human Nasal Epithelial Cell cultures

From 2013-2016, the H1N1 component of live, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) performed very poorly in contrast to the inactivated influenza vaccine. We utilized a primary, differentiated human nasal epithelial (hNEC) culture system to assess the replication differences between isogenic LAIVs containing the HA segment from either A/Bolivia/559/2013 (rBol), which showed poor vaccine efficacy, and A/Slovenia/2903/2015 (rSlov), which had restored reasonable vaccine efficacy. While there were minimal differences in infectious virus production in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells, the rSlov LAIV showed markedly improved replication in hNEC cultures at both 32{degrees}C and 37{degrees}C, demonstrating that the HA segment alone could impact LAIV replication. The rSlov-infected hNEC cultures showed stronger production of interferon and proinflammatory chemokines which might also be contributing to the increased overall vaccine effectiveness of the rSlov LAIV through enhanced recruitment and activation of immune cells. The introduction of an M2-S86A mutation had no positive effects on H1 LAIV replication in hNEC cultures, in contrast to the increased infectious virus production seen with that mutation in an H3 LAIV. No obvious defects in viral RNA packaging were detected, suggesting the HA function may be driving the differential infectious virus production in hNEC cultures. The use of physiologically relevant temperatures and primary cell cultures demonstrated that candidate LAIVs can replicate efficiently, which is a necessary property for effective vaccines.

microbiology↗