Exploring the diversity of equine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach
The purpose of this study is to explore the variation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic locus between different breeds in the equine species. This can have profound effects on an individual’s immune responses and genome-wide association studies have demonstrated that the MHC locus is the region of the genome that is most commonly associated with susceptibility or resistance to a wide variety of diseases. Consequently, the ability to study and characterise MHC diversity is of great veterinary importance for a range of applications including not only a capacity to identify genetic association with disease incidence but also for developing novel immunological therapeutics, such as vaccines.
In this study, jugular blood samples from approximately 50 adult Norwegian Fjord horses will be collected. The jugular vein is easily accessible in the horse making the sampling procedure is quick and simple. The person collecting the samples is a very experienced equine veterinarian and the samples will be collected while the horses are stabled in their own home environment. This means that there should be little or no discomfort or stress associated with the sampling procedure to the horses included in the study.
Statistical analysis has suggested that this sample size should allow us to identify any MHC allele that is present at >3% in the population with a power >80%. This will allow us to obtain meaningful statistical results using a minimum number of animals.
In this study, jugular blood samples from approximately 50 adult Norwegian Fjord horses will be collected. The jugular vein is easily accessible in the horse making the sampling procedure is quick and simple. The person collecting the samples is a very experienced equine veterinarian and the samples will be collected while the horses are stabled in their own home environment. This means that there should be little or no discomfort or stress associated with the sampling procedure to the horses included in the study.
Statistical analysis has suggested that this sample size should allow us to identify any MHC allele that is present at >3% in the population with a power >80%. This will allow us to obtain meaningful statistical results using a minimum number of animals.