Polymorphisms in the Myostatin Gene Influence Muscle Fibre Composition and Race Distance Aptitude in Thoroughbred horses
Original Article Reference
This SciPod is a summary of the papers:
‘The “speed gene” effect of myostatin arises in Thoroughbred horses due to a promoter proximal SINE insertion’ published in the open access journal PLOS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205664
‘Skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics and associations with myostatin genotypes in the
Thoroughbred horse’, also published in PLOS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186247
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About this episode
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in racing. Intense selection for speed and stamina has led the Thoroughbred to develop energy-efficient muscles, with a high aerobic capacity relative to skeletal muscle mass. Dr Mary F. Rooney and her colleagues from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, investigated how different myostatin genotypes in equine muscle are correlated with muscle fibre composition and, ultimately, influence the race distance aptitude of the Thoroughbred horse.
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