Humans affected by vitiligo have multiple genes involved in the disease – up to 322 of them. Several of these genes have been shown to be involved in malignant melanoma susceptibility in humans.

Equine research has not shown what genes cause the disorder in horses. Dr. Thomas Druml and researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the University of Sydney, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Slovak University of Agriculture, and the University of Paris-Saclay used genetic data from 152 Lipizzaners and 104 solid-colored Norikers (an Austrian draft horse) to try to identify the genes involved in the disorder.

The scientists visually inspected study horses for vitiligo and found that 33 of the Lipizzaners (21.7 percent) had the condition. Upon investigation, they found several candidate genes on four chromosomes that seemed to play a role in vitiligo development in grey horses. Four of the genes are associated with the immune system and four play a role in tumor suppression and metastasis, which is how cancer cells spread.

The researchers also found that grey horses with a particular gene mutation (STX17) are more likely to develop melanoma. Melanoma occurs in 46.1 to 50 percent of grey Lipizzaners.

The scientists concluded that a relationship exists between the depigmentation phenotype and melanoma in grey horses. They recommend more gene-specific expression and replication studies be completed on different breeds.

Read the study here.

Read more at HorseTalk.

The post Horses With Vitiligo May Be More Susceptible To Cancer appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The 5-year-old, a close fifth to Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in last year's G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October, has run well without greeting the judge in two starts this term, a runner-up effort to Summerghand (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the G3 Abernant S. at Newmarket Apr. 15 and a third behind Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) in the G2 Clipper Logistics S. when last seen at York May 12.

Trainer Brendan Walsh has engaged Extravagant Kid (Kiss the Kid), winner of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Mar. 27, while trainer Wesley Ward could also be represented by 3-year-old filly Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), winner of the G2 Queen Mary S. at the Royal meeting and the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville. Aidan O'Brien has entered a trio of runners–Battleground (War Front), Lipizzaner (Uncle Mo) and Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

The six-furlong July Cup forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The post Oxted Among 42 July Cup Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post