Leukocyte telomere length in the Thoroughbred racehorse

Article


Denham, Josh and Denham, Michele M.. 2018. "Leukocyte telomere length in the Thoroughbred racehorse." Animal Genetics. 49 (5), pp. 452-456. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12681
Article Title

Leukocyte telomere length in the Thoroughbred racehorse

ERA Journal ID3053
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsDenham, Josh (Author) and Denham, Michele M. (Author)
Journal TitleAnimal Genetics
Journal Citation49 (5), pp. 452-456
Number of Pages5
Year2018
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN0268-9146
1365-2052
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12681
Web Address (URL)https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/age.12681
Abstract

Thoroughbred racehorses possess superior cardiorespiratory fitness levels and are at the pinnacle of athletic performance compared to other breeds of horses. Although equine athletes have undergone years of artificial selection for racing performance, musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses are common and concerns relating to animal welfare have been proposed. Leukocyte telomere length is indicative of biological age, and accelerated telomere shortening occurs with excess physical and psychological stress. This study was designed to explore the association between leukocyte telomere length, biological factors (age, sex and coat colour), training status, winnings and race history parameters. Blood was collected from 146 Thoroughbred racehorses from around Geelong, Victoria, Australia. DNA was extracted from leukocytes; telomere length was measured using qPCR and analysed in context with traits obtained from the Racing Australia website. Age was inversely correlated with telomere length (r = −0.194, P = 0.019). The oldest horses (≥11 years) in the highest age quartile possessed shorter telomeres compared to younger horses in the first, second and third quartiles (≤2, 3–5 and 6–10 years respectively; P < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were observed between telomere length and biological factors, training status, winnings or race history parameters in age-adjusted analyses. The study findings suggest that Thoroughbred horses may undergo age-related telomere shortening similar to other mixed breeds and humans. Despite concerns from some quarters regarding the welfare of racehorses, there was a lack of accelerated biological ageing observed in the present study, as indicated by leukocyte telomere length.

Keywordsageing; biological age; Equus caballus; exercise; telomeres
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020310599. Genetics not elsewhere classified
300999. Veterinary sciences not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
Jubilee Stud, Australia
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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