Detection of copy number variants in the horse genome and examination of their association with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy

Authors

  • M.C. Dupuis,

    1. Unit of Animal Genetics, GIGA-Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
    2. CIRALE (Center of Imaging and Research on Equine Locomotor Affections), National Veterinary School of Alfort, Goustranville, France
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  • Z. Zhang,

    1. Unit of Animal Genetics, GIGA-Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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  • K. Durkin,

    1. Unit of Animal Genetics, GIGA-Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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  • C. Charlier,

    1. Unit of Animal Genetics, GIGA-Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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  • P. Lekeux,

    1. Department for Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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  • M. Georges

    Corresponding author
    1. Unit of Animal Genetics, GIGA-Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
    • Address for correspondence

      M. Georges, Unit of Animal Genetics, GIGA-Research, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège,1 avenue de l'hôpital, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.

      E-mail: michel.georges@ulg.ac.be

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Summary

We used the data from a recently performed genome-wide association study using the Illumina Equine SNP50 beadchip for the detection of copy number variants (CNVs) and examined their association with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), an important equine upper airway disease compromising performance. A total of 2797 CNVs were detected for 477 horses, covering 229 kb and seven SNPs on average. Overlapping CNVs were merged to define 478 CNV regions (CNVRs). CNVRs, particularly deletions, were shown to be significantly depleted in genes. Fifty-two of the 67 common CNVRs (frequency ≥ 1%) were validated by association mapping, Mendelian inheritance, and/or Mendelian inconsistencies. None of the 67 common CNVRs were significantly associated with RLN when accounting for multiple testing. However, a duplication on chromosome 10 was detected in 10 cases (representing three breeds) and two unphenotyped parents but in none of the controls. The duplication was embedded in an 8-Mb haplotype shared across breeds.

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