Horse genomics and reproduction

摘要

The rapid and continual development of new methodology has greatly expanded opportunities to undertake genetic studies across a wide range of species. Construction of genetic maps for an animal like the horse, with its long gestational period, late maturity, and the production of single young is now not only possible but also rapidly advancing. Several different types of genetic maps, albeit at low resolution, are now available for the horse. The principal mapping strategies being used are linkage, somatic cell hybrid (SCH) and radiation hybrid (RH panels), and in situ hybridization (physical mapping). Construction of gene sequence by overlapping clones from DNA libraries will likely occur for selected genes of particular interest in horses, but has not yet been applied to horse gene mapping. To capitalize on the wealth of genomic information being developed for humans and the mouse, a comparative gene map using the strategies listed above is also well underway for the horse. Expression sequence tags (ESTs) are just now beginning to be developed in the horse, but should result in the production of microarrays for assessing global gene expression patterns within the near future. For researchers in all fields of horse biology, genome analysis is rapidly becoming a reality and its application will assist the development of a better understanding of the horse.