Sequence Variants At The Myostatin Gene Locus Influence The Body Composition Of Thoroughbred Horses

Sequence Variants At The Myostatin Gene Locus Influence The Body Composition Of Thoroughbred Horses: This study examined the effect of myostatin genotype on body composition in 91 male and female Thoroughbred horses prior to the onset of training. Significant differences in body weight/withers height were associated with three genotypes at the myostatin gene, likely due to the influence of body weight rather than withers height, and individuals with the C:C genotype displayed the greatest mass when compared with T:T horses.

Tozaki T, Sato F, Hill EW, Miyake T, Endo Y, Kakoi H, Gawahara H, Hirota K, Nakano Y, Nambo Y, Kurosawa M. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science. 2011 Dec;73(12):1617-24.