Data from: Different DMRT3 genotypes are best adapted for harness racing and riding in Finnhorses

Previous studies showed a positive effect of the DMRT3 “gait keeper” mutation on harness racing performance in Standardbreds, French-, and Nordic trotters. The mutation has also been shown to influence riding traits in multiple breeds. This study investigated the effect of the DMRT3 mutation on harness racing performance and riding traits in Finnhorses. Finnhorses used for harness racing (n = 180) and for riding (n = 59) were genotyped for the DMRT3 mutation. For the trotters the genotypes were evaluated for association with racing performance (number of starts, victories, placings, earnings, and race times). At 3–6 years of age the AA genotype was superior compared with the CA and CC genotypes. The AA horses had a significantly higher proportion of victories (P = 1.4×10−6) and placings (P = 4.1×10−7), better race times (P = 0.01), and earned more money (P = 0.009) compared with C-horses. For the Finnhorses used for riding the owners answered a questionnaire to score how well the horse performed the gaits walk, trot, and canter on a scale from 1 to 6. These scores were tested for association with the DMRT3 genotypes. Although AA horses were more successful as racehorses, the CC and CA horses appear more adapted for classical riding disciplines. The AA horses received significantly lower gait scores compared with C-horses for the majority of gaits. Except for rhythm in extended canter (P = 0.05), there were no significant differences between CA and CC horses. This study shows that there are different optimal genotypes for different disciplines and the DMRT3 mutation clearly influences gaits and performance in Finnhorses.

既往研究表明，DMRT3"步态维持"（gait keeper）突变对于标准马（Standardbred）、法国快步马（French trotters）以及北欧快步马（Nordic trotters）的轻驾车赛马（harness racing）表现具有正向效应。该突变亦被证实可影响多个马品种的骑乘性状。本研究针对芬兰马（Finnhorses）中DMRT3突变对轻驾车赛马表现与骑乘性状的影响展开探究。研究共纳入用于轻驾车赛马的芬兰马180匹、用于骑乘的芬兰马59匹，对所有个体进行DMRT3突变基因分型。针对快步赛马匹，本研究评估了其基因型与赛马表现（参赛次数、夺冠次数、获奖名次次数、赛事奖金及比赛用时）的关联情况。在3~6岁年龄段中，AA基因型个体的表现优于CA与CC基因型个体。与携带C等位基因的马匹相比，AA基因型马匹的夺冠比例（P=1.4×10⁻⁶）与获奖名次比例（P=4.1×10⁻⁷）显著更高，比赛用时更短（P=0.01），且赛事奖金收入更高（P=0.009）。针对用于骑乘的芬兰马，马主通过填写问卷，以1至6分的量表对马匹的慢步（walk）、快步（trot）以及跑步（canter）三种步态的表现进行评分。本研究检验了这些评分与DMRT3基因型的关联。尽管AA基因型马匹作为赛马个体表现更为优异，但CC与CA基因型马匹似乎更适配传统骑乘项目。与携带C等位基因的马匹相比，AA基因型马匹在多数步态评分中显著更低。除伸展跑步（extended canter）的节奏（P=0.05）外，CA与CC基因型马匹之间未观察到显著差异。本研究表明，针对不同马术项目存在不同的最优基因型，且DMRT3突变可显著影响芬兰马的步态特征与运动表现。