Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
2.7
Journals
Animals
Special Issues
Exploring Equine Genetics: Quantitative, Molecular, and Genomic Insights
share announcement

Exploring Equine Genetics: Quantitative, Molecular, and Genomic Insights

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 5511

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Davinia I. Perdomo-González

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: quantitative genetics; inbreeding; genetic variability; horses; genetic resources; biodiversity
Dr. Nora Laseca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Genetics, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
Interests: molecular genetics; genomics; genomic inbreeding; horse; genetic markers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Populational and genomic studies provide invaluable insights into the genetic diversity, population structure and evolutionary history of breeds. Understanding the genomic landscape of equine populations enables informed conservation efforts, sustainable breeding practices and effective management strategies to preserve genetic resources and prevent the loss of genetic diversity.

We are pleased to invite you to publish papers focusing on quantitative, molecular and genomic genetics in equine populations. Such studies significantly contribute to advancing our understanding of the genetic architecture, the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and the molecular mechanisms governing gene expression, regulation, and function in equines. This knowledge not only aids in identifying the genetic markers associated with desirable traits, but also facilitates the development of innovative breeding strategies for enhancing equine populations health, welfare and performance.

This Special Issue aims to publish papers that serve as a cornerstone for advancing equine genetics research, fostering sustainable breeding programs and ultimately improving the health, welfare and performance of the equine worldwide.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: investigations of performance traits, disease susceptibility and genetic disorders, alongside studies on population genetics, breed diversity and evolutionary history in horses and donkeys.

Dr. Davinia I. Perdomo-González
Dr. Nora Laseca
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • equine populations
  • population structure
  • genetic diversity
  • quantitative analysis
  • genomics
  • molecular analysis
  • breeding programs
  • population health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

19 pages, 320 KB  
Review
Methodologies to Identify Metabolic Pathway Differences Between Emaciated and Moderately Conditioned Horses: A Review of Multiple Gene Expression Techniques
by Madeline M. P. Austin, Jennie L. Z. Ivey, Elizabeth A. Shepherd and Phillip R. Myer
Animals 2025, 15(20), 2933; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15202933 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 557
Abstract
Starvation in horses presents critical welfare, economic, and management challenges with underlying molecular mechanisms of metabolic modification and recovery left poorly defined. Prolonged caloric deprivation induces significant systemic shifts in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, reflected in coordinated changes in tissue-specific gene expression. [...] Read more.
Starvation in horses presents critical welfare, economic, and management challenges with underlying molecular mechanisms of metabolic modification and recovery left poorly defined. Prolonged caloric deprivation induces significant systemic shifts in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, reflected in coordinated changes in tissue-specific gene expression. This review synthesizes current knowledge on equine metabolic responses to starvation, emphasizing pathways found through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) studies. Molecular investigations using RNA-seq and RT-qPCR have provided insight into transcriptional reprogramming during starvation and subsequent refeeding. Shifts in gene expression reflect the metabolic transition from carbohydrate dependence to lipid use, suppression of anabolic signaling, and activation of proteolytic pathways. However, interpretation of these data requires caution, as factors such as post-mortem interval, tissue handling, and euthanasia methods particularly the use of sodium barbiturates can influence transcript stability and abundance, potentially confounding results. The literature shows that starvation-induced molecular changes are not uniform across tissues, with skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue showing distinct transcriptional signatures and variable recovery patterns during refeeding. Cross-species comparisons with hibernation, caloric restriction, and cachexia models provide context for understanding these changes, though equine-specific studies remain limited. Identified gaps include the scarcity of longitudinal data, inconsistent tissue sampling protocols, and lack of standardized reference genes for transcriptomic analyses in horses. Addressing these limitations will improve the accuracy of molecular evaluations and enhance our ability to predict recovery trajectories. A more comprehensive understanding of systemic and tissue-specific responses to starvation will inform evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, reduce the risk of refeeding syndrome, and improve survival and welfare outcomes for affected horses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Equine Genetics: Quantitative, Molecular, and Genomic Insights)
15 pages, 813 KB  
Review
Coloration in Equine: Overview of Candidate Genes Associated with Coat Color Phenotypes
by Xiaotong Liu, Yongdong Peng, Xinhao Zhang, Xinrui Wang, Wenting Chen, Xiyan Kou, Huili Liang, Wei Ren, Muhammad Zahoor Khan and Changfa Wang
Animals 2024, 14(12), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121802 - 17 Jun 2024
Viewed by 4008
Abstract
Variation in coat color among equids has attracted significant interest in genetics and breeding research. The range of colors is primarily determined by the type, concentration, and distribution of melanin pigments, with the balance between eumelanin and pheomelanin influenced by numerous genetic factors. [...] Read more.
Variation in coat color among equids has attracted significant interest in genetics and breeding research. The range of colors is primarily determined by the type, concentration, and distribution of melanin pigments, with the balance between eumelanin and pheomelanin influenced by numerous genetic factors. Advances in genomic and sequencing technologies have enabled the identification of several candidate genes that influence coat color, thereby clarifying the genetic basis of these diverse phenotypes. In this review, we concisely categorize coat coloration in horses and donkeys, focusing on the biosynthesis and types of melanin involved in pigmentation. Moreover, we highlight the regulatory roles of some key candidate genes, such as MC1R, TYR, MITF, ASIP, and KIT, in coat color variation. Moreover, the review explores how coat color relates to selective breeding and specific equine diseases, offering valuable insights for developing breeding strategies that enhance both the esthetic and health aspects of equine species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Equine Genetics: Quantitative, Molecular, and Genomic Insights)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop