X monosomy in the endangered Kiso horse breed detected by a parentage test using sex chromosome linked genes and microsatellites.

A routine parentage test as part of a conservation program for Kiso horses identified a possible sex chromosome anomaly in a 7 months-old filly because of an aberrant result using LEX3, an X-linked marker. We then analyzed X-linked markers (LEX26, TKY38, and TKY270), Y-linked markers (Eca.YH12, Eca.YM2, Eca.YA16, and the sex-determining region Y gene), and an X/Y marker (Amelogenin gene). This analysis demonstrated that the filly had not inherited an X chromosome from her sire. A karyotyping analysis confirmed that the filly was 63,XO. As it was suspected that the horse would be sterile, we avoided using the horse as a broodmare; the information should also serve to prevent unnecessary conflict between owners transferring and receiving the horse.

Digital PCR detection of plasmid DNA administered to the skeletal muscle of a microminipig: a model case study for gene doping detection.

OBJECTIVE: Doping control is an important and indispensable aspect of fair horse racing; genetic doping has been recently included to this. In this study, we aimed to develop a detection method of gene doping. A plasmid cloned with human erythropoietin gene (p.hEPO, 250 µg/head) was intramuscularly injected into a microminipig. Subsequently, p.hEPO was extracted from 1 mL of plasma and detected by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The results confirmed that the maximum amount of plasmid was detected at 15 min after administration and the majority of the plasmid was degraded in the bloodstream within 1-2 days after administration. In contrast, low amounts of p.hEPO were detected at 2-3 weeks after administration. These results suggest that the proposed method to detect gene doping can help obtain information for experiments using horses.