inbreeding

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), in collaboration with Cornell University, has found that inbreeding is a contributing factor to mid- and late-term pregnancy loss (MLPL), but not early pregnancy loss (EPL) in thoroughbreds. This is the first study which explores the effect of genomic inbreeding levels on late-term pregnancy loss in the horse and will help inform mating choices to minimise the risk of miscarriages in thoroughbreds. Inbreeding is a common practice in the livestock industry because individuals with desirable traits are highly prized for breeding. However,...

Dr. Ernest Bailey shares the science behind the importance of diversity in equine genetics on this week's TDN Writers' Room. Plus the writers recap the GI Whitney S. and preview an exciting upcoming weekend of racing.

Inbreeding in the Thoroughbred has increased significantly in the last 45 years according to a research paper published in Scientific Reports, the Racing Post reported on Saturday. Professor Emmeline Hill, a co-author on the report, spearheaded the research conducted by University College Dublin and equine science company Plusvital. The DNA of over 10,000 Thoroughbreds was analyzed, with the result a marked increase of inbreeding within the population, as favourable racing traits were selected, as well as more popular sire lines. Ninety-seven percent of the horses in the study traced to...