Interbreed Distribution of the Myostatin (MSTN) Gene 5′-Flanking Variants and Their Relationship With Horse Biometric Traits

Abstract To assess the involvement of the MSTN gene polymorphisms in the biometric traits interbreed variability, we have examined the distribution of the three known 5′-flanking variants (g.66495696T>C, g.66495826T>C, and 272 bp SINE insertion) within the group of 2,052 horses representing 12 breeds and compared the allele frequencies between breeds assigned to the different morphological types. Additionally, the association of particular genotypes with selected biometric traits intrabreed variability was studied in five horse breeds. Genotyping of the two SNPs (g.66495696T>C and g.66495826T>C) revealed significant ( P P C polymorphic site. The heterozygous genotype in g.66495826T>C SNP turned out to be associated ( P MSTN gene polymorphisms on the interbreed and intrabreed variability of horse biometric traits.