Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (1): 194-205.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2026.01.017

• ANIMAL GENETICS AND BREEDING • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genomic Analysis Reveals the Genetic Basis of Environmental Adaptation in Modern Domestic Horses

LI Cong1(), LI Na1, QIN Xuyong1, GAO Feng1, HAN Jiale1, ZHAO Shuyue1, MUHATAI·Gemingguli 2, DANG Ruihua1()   

  1. 1.College of Animal Science and Technology,Northwest A&F University,Yangling 712100,China
    2.College of Animal Science,Tarim University,Alaer 843300,China
  • Received:2025-07-22 Online:2026-01-23 Published:2026-01-26
  • Contact: DANG Ruihua E-mail:lc863749946@163.com;dangruihua@nwsuaf.edu.cn

Abstract:

To clarify the genetic basis of modern domestic horses’ adaptation to environmental changes during domestication, this study collected genomic data from 317 individuals of 19 horse breeds at home and abroad for analysis, and explored the genetic diversity and population structure of horses. Combined with 25 environmental factors, genome-wide association study and selective sweep analysis (FST and π ratio) were used to screen candidate genes significantly associated with environmental adaptability. The results showed that a total of 107 shared candidate genes significantly associated with environmental adaptability were identified by the two analytical methods. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these genes were mainly involved in pathways such as olfactory transduction, heme binding, oxygen binding, and cellular response to hypoxia. Among them, the OR52A1J gene region on chromosome 7 showed a strong selection signal. Haplotype analysis revealed that this region could clearly distinguish horse breeds at high and low altitudes, suggesting that it might be a key candidate gene for the adaptation of Tibetan horses to high altitudes. This study provides a new perspective for revealing the environmental adaptability of modern domestic horses and offers a reference for the management and protection of animal genetic resources.

Key words: modern domestic horse, environmental adaptability, GWAS, selective sweep

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