• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.76-81
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• 2021

Halla horse is crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and is used for riding, racing and meat production. Thus, molecular genetic studies are needed to establish and preserve the industrially valuable Halla horses. This study aimed to analyses the genetic diversity and population structure through 12 microsatellite (MS) markers for Halla and putatively related 3 breeds (Jeju, Mongolian and Thoroughbred horses). On average, the number of alleles, observed heterozygosity (H_obs), expected heterozygosity (H_exp), and polymorphic information content (PIC) among all horses were 10, 0.767, 0.799, and 0.771, respectively. Neighbor-joining tree and STRUCTURE analysis showed that Halla horses were between Thoroughbred and Jeju horses, tend to more influenced by Thoroughbred horses. Therefore, these results could be considered for use as the basic genetic breed relationships resource among the horse breeds (Jeju, Mongolian, and Thoroughbred horses) related to the origins of the Halla horse.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제58권11호
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• pp.40.1-40.5
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• 2016

Background: Currently about 26,000 horses are breeding in Korea and 57.2% (14,776 horses) of them are breeding in Jeju island. According to the statistics published in 2010, the horses breeding in Jeju island are subdivided into Jeju horse (6.1%), Thoroughbred (18.8%) and Halla horse (75.1%). Halla horses are defined as a crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and are used for horse racing, horse riding and horse meat production. However, little research has been conducted on Halla horses because of the perception of crossbreed and people's weighted interest toward Jeju horses. Method: Using 17 Microsatellite (MS) Markers recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG), genomic DNAs were extracted from the hair roots of 3,880 Halla horses breeding in Korea and genetic diversity was identified by genotyping after PCR was performed. Results and conclusion: In average, 10.41 alleles (from 6 alleles in HTG7 to 17 alleles in ASB17) were identified after the analysis using 17 MS Markers. The mean value of $H_{obs}$ was 0.749 with a range from 0.612(HMS1) to 0. 857(ASB2). Also, it was found that $H_{\exp}$ and PIC values were lowest in HMS1 (0.607 and 0.548, respectively), and highest in LEX3(0.859 and 0.843, respectively), and the mean value of $H_{\exp}$ was 0.760 and that of PIC was 0.728. 17 MS markers used in this studies were considered as appropriate markers for the polymorphism analysis of Halla horses. The frequency for the appearance of identical individuals was $5.90{\times}10^{-20}$ when assumed as random mating population and when assumed as half-sib and full-sib population, frequencies were $4.08{\times}10^{-15}$ and $3.56{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Based on these results, the 17 MS markers can be used adequately for the Individual Identification and Parentage Verification of Halla horses. Remarkably, allele M and Q of ASB23 marker, G of HMS2 marker, H and L of HTG6 marker, L of HTG7 marker, E of LEX3 marker were the specific alleles unique to Halla horses.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권9호
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• pp.1460-1465
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• 2021

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the diversity of donkey populations by comparing with the diversity of Thoroughbred and Jeju Halla horses; identified breeding backgrounds can contribute to management and conservation of donkeys in South Korea. Methods: A total of 100 horse (50 Thoroughbreds and 50 Jeju Halla horses) and 79 donkeys samples were genotyped with 15 microsatellite markers (AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, CA425, HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG10, LEX3, and VHL20), to identify genetic diversity and relationships among horses and donkeys. Results: The observed number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 (ASB17, HMS1) to 14 (AHT5), with a mean value of 4.87, 8.00, and 5.87 in Thoroughbreds, Jeju Halla horses, and donkeys, respectively. Of the 15 markers, AHT4, AHT5, ASB23, CA425, HMS2, HMS3, HTG4, HTG10, and LEX3 loci had relatively high polymorphism information content (PIC) values (PIC>0.5) in these three populations. Mean levels of genetic variation were H_E = 0.6721 and H_O = 0.6600 in Thoroughbreds, H_E = 0.7898 and H_O = 0.7100 in Jeju Halla horses, and H_E = 0.5635 and H_O = 0.4861 in donkeys. Of the 15 loci in donkeys, three loci had negative inbreeding coefficients (FIS), with a moderate mean FIS (0.138). The FIS estimate for the HTG4 marker was highest (0.531) and HMS6 marker was lowest (-0.001). The total probability of exclusion value of 15 microsatellite loci was 0.9996 in donkeys. Conclusion: Genetic cluster analysis showed that the genetic relationship among 79 donkeys was generally consistent with pedigree records. Among the three breeds, donkeys and Thoroughbred horses formed clearly different groups, but the group of Jeju Halla horses overlapped with that of Thoroughbred horses, suggesting that the loci would be suitable for donkey parentage testing. Therefore, the results of this study are a valid tool for genetic study and conservation of donkeys.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제40권6호
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• pp.464-467
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• 2023

The autonomic regulation of heart rate (HR) is an indicator of the body's ability to adapt to an exercise stimulus. However, there are no reports on this topic in relation to Jeju horses used for racing. The aim of this study was to analyze the HR responses of Jeju horses during race trials and to investigate the correlation between HR and performance in these horses. HR data were collected from 17 healthy 2- to 7-year-old Jeju horses wearing HR monitors during race trials. Pearson correlation coefficients was used to determine the significance of the association between the race trial time and HR. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the race trial time (performance) and both the maximal HR (HRmax, r = -0.69, p < 0.01) and HR reserve (HRR) (HRmax - average HR during the warm-up period, r = -0.63, p < 0.01) and between the HRR and HRmax (r = 0.73, p < 0.01). Horses with a lower average HR during the warm-up period and higher heart rates during the trial achieved faster race trial times. This study reports the first HR measurements in Jeju horses during race trials, providing new insights into the HR response of this breed to exercise. The use of a noninvasive remote HR monitor system allowed assessment of exercise responses in the field, and the results suggest that both the HRR during warm-up period and HRmax may be useful performance indicators in Jeju horses.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.81.1-81.12
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• 2023

Background: The incidence of colic and the outcomes of colic surgery have not been surveyed in racetracks in Korea. Objectives: This study examined the incidence, mortality, and case fatality of colic and investigated the effects of age and sex after an exploratory celiotomy on the long-term survival rate (return to racing), subsequent racing performance, and career longevity. Methods: The incidence, mortality, and case fatalities of colic were examined over an 11-year period. The records of 40 horses that had undergone a celiotomy, after participating in at least one race and 75 race-matched control horses were analyzed. The racing performance and career length of the horses that returned to racing post-surgery were compared with a control group. Results: The annual incidence, fatality rate of colic, and annual mortality rate at Seoul Racecourse were 6.5, 2.8 per 100 horse-years, and 0.2 deaths cases per 100 horse-years, respectively. Of the 40 horses that underwent colic surgery, 26 (65%) returned to racing. The likelihood of returning to racing decreased with increasing age of the horses, and geldings had a lower probability of returning. While the performance in the five preoperative races between the two groups was not significantly different, a significant decrease in racing performance was observed after the surgery date (p < 0.01). Horses that underwent colic surgery did not show a significant decrease in career length. Conclusions: Surgical treatment for colic at the age of three and four years had a negative impact on the racing performance. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in career longevity between the two groups.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권3호
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• pp.651-661
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate whether breed, sex, and age affected temperament differently (more or less neophobic) in mature horses during a novel object test. The study included Jeju crossbred (n = 12, age = 9.42 ± 4.57 y), Thoroughbred (n = 15, age = 10.73 ± 3.09 y), and Warmblood horses (n = 12, age = 13.08 ± 3.55 y) with the females (n = 22, age = 11.36 ± 4.24 y) and geldings (n = 17, age = 10.65 ± 3.66 y). Jeju crossbreds (Jeju horse × Thoroughbred) are valuable considering their popular usage in Korea, but limited studies have explored temperament of Jeju crossbred horses. A trained experimenter touched the left side of the neck with a white plastic bag (novel object). The test ended when the horse stopped escape response and heart rate (HR) dropped to baseline. Behavioral score and escape duration were measured as behavioral variables. Multiple variables related to HR and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured to reflect emotional state. These included basal HR (BHR), maximum HR (MHR), delay to reach maximum heart rate (Time to MHR), standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and ratio of low to high frequency components of a continuous series of heartbeats (LF/HF). Statistics revealed that Thoroughbreds had significantly higher behavioral scores, and lower RMSSD than Jeju crossbreds (p < 0.05), suggesting greater excitement and fear to the novel object in Thoroughbreds. None of the behavioral or cardiac parameters exhibited sex differences (p < 0.05). Age was negatively correlated with SDNN and RMSSD (p < 0.05), indicating that older horses felt more anxiety to the novelty than younger horses. Thoroughbreds and females had distinct correlations between behavioral and HRV variables in comparison with other groups (p < 0.05), implying that escape duration might be a good indicator of stress, especially in these two groups. These results are expected to improve equine welfare, safety and utility, by providing insights into the temperament of particular horse groups, to better match reactivity levels with specific functions.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권12호
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• pp.1005-1012
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• 2022

본 연구는 한라마 출생시와 이유기의 분변 미생물 조성과 다양성 차이에 대해 16S 앰플리콘시퀀싱 데이터 분석을 통해 수행하였다. 출생시에 Proteobacteria (35.7%)가, 이유기에는 Firmicutes (45.6%)가 문 수준에서 가장 우점하는 미생물로 확인되었다. 속 수준에서는 출생시에 Escherichia (19.7%), Clostridium (14.0%)가 우점종으로 관측되었으며, 이유기에는 Fibrobacter (6.6%)가 가장 높게 분포하고 있었다. 다양성(α-diversity) 분석 결과 이유기에 풍부도와 균등도 지표들이 통계적으로 유의한 수준에서 높게 나타났다. PCoA 분석을 수행한 결과 출생시와 이유기 미생물 군집 특성(β-diversity)은 속 수준과 종 수준에서 두개의 그룹으로 명확히 구분되었다. 미생물 분포에 대한 통계적 유의성 검증을 위해 세 가지 Jensen-Shannon, Bray-Curtis, Unifrac의 distance metric를 이용해 PERMANOVA 분석을 수행한 결과 통계적 유의성(q<0.001)을 보이며 조성 차이가 있었다. 출생시와 이유기 특성을 대표하는 미생물 마커 선발을 위해 LEfSe 분석을 수행하였다. 속 수준에서 출생시에 장내 질환을 유발할 가능성이 있는 Escherichia, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Methylobacterium 등이 우점하였으며, 이유기에는 섬유소 분해에 관여하는 Fibrobacter가 상대적으로 많이 분포하였다. 본 연구를 통해 승용마로 가치가 높은 한라마의 출생시와 이유기의 미생물 조성 및 다양성 차이에 대한 결과를 제시하였으며 성장단계별 질병예방 및 영양소 흡수에 관여하는 미생물 구명을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권12호
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• pp.1088-1093
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• 2021

제주마는 한국의 말 품종으로 제주도에서 오랜 기간 자생하여 왔다. 제주마의 기원은 몽골마에서 유래한 것으로 추정되었다. 그러나 최근 연구에서 제주마와 몽골 토종마를 비교 한 결과, 유전적으로 가까우나 제주마가 몽고마와 독립적으로 진화해 온 것으로 보고되었다. 제주마는 경주마로 이용되어 경주 능력이 주요한 경제 형질로 활용되고 있다. Myostatin (MSTN) 유전자는 다양한 포유류에서 골격근량에 영향을 미치는 것으로 연구되었다. Thoroughbred에서 MSTN 유전자 내 존재하는 변이가 경주 능력 및 스태미너에 영향을 미치는 것으로 알려져 있다. 우리는 제주마 1,433두를 포함하여 여러 말 품종의 MSTN 유전자내 변이 빈도를 비교하였다. MSTN 유전자의 g.66493737 변이 중 장거리 적성 유전자형(TT)의 경우 제주마에서 빈도가 0.826으로 한라마(0.285) 및 Thoroughbred (0.252)보다 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 또한 다른 연구를 참고하여 8종 말에서 g.66493737 빈도를 비교하였다. 그 결과, 경주마로 활용되는 품종은 CC형의 빈도가 높았으나, TT형의 빈도는 낮은 것으로 확인되었다. 반대로 승용마 및 역용마 등의 품종은 TT형의 빈도가 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 제주마의 경주 거리(400 m, 800 m, 900 m, 1,000 m, 1,110 m, 1,200 m)별로 유전자형과 도착 기록을 비교 분석했다. 그 결과 1,000 m 이하의 경주에서는 CT형이 TT형보다 더 빠른 도달 기록을 보였다. 그러나 1,110 m 이상의 경주에서는 거의 동일한 결과가 확인되었다. 본 연구에서는 제주마의 MSTN 유전자 변이가 경주 거리 적성과 관련이 있을 수 있음을 시사하였다. 이러한 결과는 추후 연구를 통해 제주마에서 경주 거리 적성 및 경주 능력과 연관된 마커 개발을 위한 자료로 활용이 가능할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2020

The aim of the study was to investigate the seroprevalence of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 4 (EHV-4), equine influenza virus (EIV), and Streptococcus (S.) equi subspecies equi in the horse population of Jeju. Serum samples were taken from 71 horses, regularly vaccinated with EHV-1 and strangles twice (April and November) a year. In April 2014, seropositive rates of EHV-1 and strangles were 24.5% and 84.5%, while in November, were 26.8% and 62.0%, respectively. A total of 1,144 serum samples, including Jeju native horses, Halla horses, and Thoroughbred horses were collected from slaughter house for 4 years (2014 to 2017) and it is unclear the animals were vaccinated or not. The seropositive rates in Jeju was 21.9% (250/l,144) for EHV-1, 96.4% (1,103/1,144) for EHV-4, 14.6% (129/882) for EIV, and 79.3% (879/1,108) for strangles. The seropositive rate was the highest in Thoroughbred, but lowest in Hala horse.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권7호
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• pp.1165-1176
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• 2019

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), produced by Clostridium botulinum, are the most toxic substances known. However, the number of currently approved medical countermeasures for these toxins is very limited. Therefore, studies on therapeutic antitoxins are essential to prepare for toxin-related emergencies. Currently, more than 10,000 Halla horses, a crossbreed between the native Jeju and Thoroughbred horses, are being raised in Jeju Island of Korea. They can be used for equine antitoxin experiments and production of hyperimmune serum against BoNT/A1. Instead of the inactivated BoNT/A1 toxoid, Halla horse was immunized with the receptor-binding domain present in the C-terminus of heavy chain of BoNT/A1 (BoNT/A1-HCR) expressed in Escherichia coli. The anti-BoNT/A1-HCR antibody titer increased rapidly by week 4, and this level was maintained for several weeks after boosting immunization. Notably, $20{\mu}l$ of the week-24 BoNT/A1-HCR(-immunized) equine serum showed an in vitro neutralizing activity of over 8 international units (IU) of a reference equine antitoxin. Furthermore, $20{\mu}l$ of equine serum and $100{\mu}g$ of purified equine $F(ab^{\prime})_2$ showed 100% neutralization of 10,000 $LD_{50}$ in vivo. The results of this study shall contribute towards optimizing antitoxin production for BoNT/A1, which is essential for emergency preparedness and response.