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Introduction: Diagnosing and treating lameness in horses is essential to improving their welfare. In equine orthopedic practice, infrared thermography (IRT) can indirectly detect soreness. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can treat painful and inflammatory processes in horses. Using IRT, the efficacy of meloxicam (Maxicam Gel®) was evaluated in pre-treating transient synovitis in horses induced by a middle carpal joint injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from E. coli 055:B5 at a dose of 10 endotoxin units. Methods: In a cross-over design, six healthy horses were randomly assigned to receive either 0.6 mg/kg of oral Maxicam Gel® (MAXVO) or a mock administration (control group, C) following a two-week washout period. IRT of the middle carpal joint, visual lameness assessment and joint circumference were recorded over time. Clinical and hematological evaluations were performed. Synovial fluid aspirates were analyzed for total nucleated cell count, total protein, and prostaglandin E2. A mixed effects analysis of variance was performed for repeated measures over time, followed by Tukey's test. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between a thermography temperature change and the lameness score. Results: There were no changes in joint circumference. The MAXVO group showed a lower rectal temperature 4 h after synovitis induction. The C group presented an increase in neutrophils and a decrease in total hemoglobin and hematocrit 8 h after induction. No changes were observed in the synovial fluid between groups. The horses that received meloxicam did not show clinically significant lameness at any time, while the C group showed an increase in lameness 2, 4, and 8 h after synovitis induction. Discussion: IRT indicated that the skin surface temperature of the middle carpal joint was lower in horses who received meloxicam, suggesting a reduction in the inflammatory process induced by LPS. It was observed that the maximum temperature peaks in the dorsopalmar and lateropalmar positions can be utilized to predict the severity of lameness, particularly when the temperature rises above 34°C. Horses pre-treated with meloxicam showed either reduced or no indication of mild to moderate pain and presented a lowehr thermographic temperature, which indicates the effectiveness of Maxicam Gel® as an anti-inflammatory.
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The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) is a well-known gold standard method for determining the aerobic capacity of athletic horses. Owing to its high cost and complex execution, there is a search for standardized exercise tests that can predict this value in a single session. One of the methods described for this purpose is the lactate minimum test (LMT), which could be more accurate despite being adequate to predict MLSS. This study aimed to examine the impact of training on the speed corresponding to lactate minimum speed (LMS) and to apply new mathematical methods to evaluate the fitness level of horses based on the curve obtained by the LMT. Ten Arabian horses underwent a 6-week training program based on LMS calculated by second-degree polynomial regression (LMSP). In addition, the LMS was also determined by visual inspection (LMSV), bi-segmented linear regression (LMSBI) and spline regression (LMSS). From the curve obtained during the LMT, it was possible to calculate angles α, ß and ω, as well as the total area under the curve (AUCTOTAL) before (AUCPRELMS) and after (AUCPOSLMS) the LMS. The methods for determining the LMS were evaluated by ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and effect size (ES) by Cohen's d test. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the proposed LMS determination methods and other mathematical methods was also calculated. Despite showing a good correlation (ICC >0.7), the LMS determination methods differed from each other (p < 0.05), albeit without a significant difference resulting from conditioning. There were reductions in α:ß ratio, angle α, and AUCPOSTLMS, with the latter indicating lower lactate accumulation in the incremental phase of LMT after conditioning, in addition to an improvement in the animals' aerobic capacity. Considering that the most common methods for determining the LMS are applicable yet with low sensitivity for conditioning assessment, the approaches proposed herein can aid in analyzing the aerobic capacity of horses subjected to LMT. The mathematical models presented in this paper have the potential to be applied in human lactate-guided training program trials with a comparable study basis.
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It is important to understand the effects of hoof trimming on hoof and limb conformation to maximize its benefits on the health of the appendicular skeleton of horses, thus promoting improvements in athletic performance and sporting longevity with regard to athletic horses. There is little information on possible changes in the angulation of the thoracic limb joints after hoof trimming and correlations between the angulation of the thoracic limb joints with hoof measurements. To that purpose, nineteen Mangalarga mares received routine hoof trimming. Visual recordings (photographs) were taken before and after the procedure. Differences (p < 0.05) were found in hoof length, toe angle, heel angle, medial heel height, and metacarpophalangeal angle. Before trimming, correlations were found between frog length and scapulohumeral angle (SH) (r = -0.457; p = 0.049), and between toe length and shoulder-ground angle (SG) (r = -0.553; p = 0.049). A correlation was also seen between the distance from the frog to the lateral wall and the SH angle (r = 0.690; p = 0.001). After trimming, there was a correlation between humeroradial (HR) and SH joint angles (r = 0.669; p = 0.002), and the SG and SH angles (r = 0.488; p = 0.034). This study showed an immediate effect of trimming on the toe angle and heel angle and on the metacarpophalangeal joint angle, in addition to correlations between the hoof and proximal joint angles, following trimming, thus evidencing the relevance of trimming not only in hoof morphology, but also in the conformation of the appendicular skeleton of horses.
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Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) are two important aliphatic esters known for their biodegradability and bioresorbability properties; the former is stiffer and brittle while the smaller modulus of the latter allows a suitable elongation. The new biomaterials being developed from the blend of these two polymers (PLA and PCL) is opportune due to the reducing interfacial tension between their immiscible phases. In a previous study, PLA/PCL immiscible blend when compatibilized with poly(ε-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran) resulted in enhanced ductility and toughness no cytotoxic effect invitrotests. There is little published data on the effect of poly(ε-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran) on PLA and PCL biocompatibility and biodegradabilityin vivotests. This study focuses on evaluating the behavioral response and polymer-tissue interaction of compatibilized PLA/PCL blend compared to neat PLA implanted via intraperitoneal (IP) and subcutaneous (SC) in male Wistar rats, distributed in four experimental groups: neat PLA, PLA/PCL blend, sham, and control at 2-, 8- and 24-weeks post-implantation (WPI). An open-field test was performed to appraise emotionality and spontaneous locomotor activity. Histopathological investigation using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and picrosirius-hematoxylin (PSH) was used to assess polymer-tissue interaction. Modifications in PLA and the PLA/PCL blend's surface morphology were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PLA group defecated more often than PLA/PCL rats 2 and 8 WPI. Conjunctive capsule development around implants, cell adhesion, angiogenesis, and giant cells of a foreign body to the biomaterial was observed in light microscopy. Both groups displayed a fibrous reaction along with collagen deposition around the biomaterials. In the SEM, the images showed a higher degradation rate for the PLA/PCL blend in both implantation routes. The polymers implanted via IP exhibited a higher degradation rate compared to SC. These findings emphasize the biocompatibility of the PLA/PCL blend compatibilized with poly(ε-caprolactone-b-tetrahydrofuran), making this biopolymer an acceptable alternative in a variety of biomedical applications.
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Poliésteres , Polímeros , Animais , Materiais Biocompatíveis , Caproatos , Furanos , Hematoxilina , Lactonas , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
The horses' responses to exercise are commonly monitored using physiological variables, nonetheless physical and mental states can also be expressed through body language. The aims of this study were: (i) to identify how facial expressions and other behavioural variables change in ranch horses after a routine workday, and (ii) to investigate if these changes can be used as indicators of physical tiredness by relating them to known variables of physical fitness and workload. Fourteen crossbred ranch horses were assessed pre- and post-workday on two farms, recording the body language, physiological and workload variables. Statistical analysis consisted of four stages: (i) comparisons between the sampling times (pre- vs post-workday) using linear mixed-effects models with repeated measures and a paired Wilcoxon test; (ii) selection of the most powerful variables by applying Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and principal components analyses (PCA); (iii) evaluations of the relationships within these selected variables utilizing PCA and Spearman rank coefficients; and (iv) identifying a critical level of the most robust behavioural indicators using a non-hierarchical cluster analysis. Results showed that after a workday the horses increased the frequency/duration of body language indicative of resting. They also decreased the frequency/duration of body language indicative of attention and movements to avoid flies. However, some of these behaviours are also shown when horses are in pain, leading us to suggest that some ranch horses were probably experiencing a combination of of tiredness and slight soreness. Of particular interest, because of the ease with which it can be assessed on the farm and generalized to other situations, we suggest that the frequency of shifting weight between the forelegs has potential to be used as an indicator of physical tiredness in horses. The results can also be used in the development of tools to improve the welfare of ranch horses as well as horses used in other activities, although more research is needed to validate this assumption.
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Bem-Estar do Animal/ética , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Fadiga/veterinária , Cinésica , Esforço Físico , Animais , Brasil , Castração , Análise por Conglomerados , Fadiga/diagnóstico , Fadiga/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Cavalos , Masculino , Análise de Componente Principal , Taxa Respiratória/fisiologiaRESUMO
Some horse breeds are highly selected for athletic activities. The athletic potential of each animal can be measured by its performance in sports. High athletic performance depends on the animal capacity to produce energy through aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways, among other factors. Transmembrane proteins called monocarboxylate transporters, mainly the isoform 1 (MCT1) and its ancillary protein CD147, can help the organism to adapt to physiological stress caused by physical exercise, transporting lactate and H+ ions. Horse breeds are selected for different purposes so we might expect differences in the amount of those proteins and in the genotypic frequencies for genes that play a significant role in the performance of the animals. The study of MCT1 and CD147 gene polymorphisms, which can affect the formation of the proteins and transport of lactate and H+, can provide enough information to be used for selection of athletic horses increasingly resistant to intense exercise. Two other candidate genes, the PDK4 and DMRT3, have been associated with athletic potential and indicated as possible markers for performance in horses. The oxidation of fatty acids is highly effective in generating ATP and is controlled by the expression of PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) in skeletal muscle during and after exercise. The doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3 (DMRT3) gene encodes an important transcription factor in the setting of spinal cord circuits controlling movement in vertebrates and may be associated with gait performance in horses. This review describes how the monocarboxylate transporters work during physical exercise in athletic horses and the influence of polymorphisms in candidate genes for athletic performance in horses.(AU)
Algumas raças de equinos são altamente selecionadas para atividades desportivas. O potencial atlético de cada animal pode ser medido pelo seu desempenho nas competições equestres. Um alto potencial atlético depende, entre outros fatores, da capacidade do animal de produzir energia através dos metabolismos aeróbio e anaeróbio. As proteínas transmembrana chamadas transportadores de monoxarboxilato, principalmente a isoforma 1 (MCT1) e sua proteína auxiliar CD147, podem ajudam o organismo a se adaptar ao estresse fisiológico causado pelo exercício físico, transportando íons lactato e H+. Algumas raças de equinos são selecionadas para diferentes objetivos, portanto é provável que existam diferenças nas quantidades de transportadores monocarboxilatos e na frequência genotípica dos seus respectivos genes. O estudo de polimorfismos nos genes das proteínas MCT1 e CD147, afetando a sua formação e o transporte dos íons lactato e H+, podem fornecer informações suficientes para a seleção de equinos com capacidade de serem altamente treinados e resistentes a intensos exercícios. Dois outros genes candidatos que têm sido relacionados com potencial atlético e utilizados como possíveis marcadores para desempenho em equinos são o PDK4 e o DMRT3. A oxidação de ácidos graxos é altamente efetiva para produção de ATP e é controlada pela expressão do gene PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) no musculo esquelético durante e após do exercício físico. O gene DMRT3 (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3) codifica um importante fator de transcrição no controle dos movimentos em vertebrados e pode ser associado com a marcha em algumas raças de equinos. Esta revisão descreve como agem os transportadores de monocarboxilatos durante o exercício físico em equinos atletas e qual a influência de alguns polimorfismos em genes candidatos para o desempenho atlético em equinos.(AU)
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Animais , Estudos de Associação Genética , Cavalos/genética , Cavalos/fisiologia , Lactatos/análise , Fadiga Muscular , Polimorfismo Genético , Estresse FisiológicoRESUMO
Some horse breeds are highly selected for athletic activities. The athletic potential of each animal can be measured by its performance in sports. High athletic performance depends on the animal capacity to produce energy through aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways, among other factors. Transmembrane proteins called monocarboxylate transporters, mainly the isoform 1 (MCT1) and its ancillary protein CD147, can help the organism to adapt to physiological stress caused by physical exercise, transporting lactate and H+ ions. Horse breeds are selected for different purposes so we might expect differences in the amount of those proteins and in the genotypic frequencies for genes that play a significant role in the performance of the animals. The study of MCT1 and CD147 gene polymorphisms, which can affect the formation of the proteins and transport of lactate and H+, can provide enough information to be used for selection of athletic horses increasingly resistant to intense exercise. Two other candidate genes, the PDK4 and DMRT3, have been associated with athletic potential and indicated as possible markers for performance in horses. The oxidation of fatty acids is highly effective in generating ATP and is controlled by the expression of PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) in skeletal muscle during and after exercise. The doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3 (DMRT3) gene encodes an important transcription factor in the setting of spinal cord circuits controlling movement in vertebrates and may be associated with gait performance in horses. This review describes how the monocarboxylate transporters work during physical exercise in athletic horses and the influence of polymorphisms in candidate genes for athletic performance in horses.(AU)
Algumas raças de equinos são altamente selecionadas para atividades desportivas. O potencial atlético de cada animal pode ser medido pelo seu desempenho nas competições equestres. Um alto potencial atlético depende, entre outros fatores, da capacidade do animal de produzir energia através dos metabolismos aeróbio e anaeróbio. As proteínas transmembrana chamadas transportadores de monoxarboxilato, principalmente a isoforma 1 (MCT1) e sua proteína auxiliar CD147, podem ajudam o organismo a se adaptar ao estresse fisiológico causado pelo exercício físico, transportando íons lactato e H+. Algumas raças de equinos são selecionadas para diferentes objetivos, portanto é provável que existam diferenças nas quantidades de transportadores monocarboxilatos e na frequência genotípica dos seus respectivos genes. O estudo de polimorfismos nos genes das proteínas MCT1 e CD147, afetando a sua formação e o transporte dos íons lactato e H+, podem fornecer informações suficientes para a seleção de equinos com capacidade de serem altamente treinados e resistentes a intensos exercícios. Dois outros genes candidatos que têm sido relacionados com potencial atlético e utilizados como possíveis marcadores para desempenho em equinos são o PDK4 e o DMRT3. A oxidação de ácidos graxos é altamente efetiva para produção de ATP e é controlada pela expressão do gene PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) no musculo esquelético durante e após do exercício físico. O gene DMRT3 (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3) codifica um importante fator de transcrição no controle dos movimentos em vertebrados e pode ser associado com a marcha em algumas raças de equinos. Esta revisão descreve como agem os transportadores de monocarboxilatos durante o exercício físico em equinos atletas e qual a influência de alguns polimorfismos em genes candidatos para o desempenho atlético em equinos.(AU)
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Animais , Cavalos/genética , Cavalos/fisiologia , Lactatos/análise , Fadiga Muscular , Estudos de Associação Genética , Estresse Fisiológico , Polimorfismo GenéticoRESUMO
ABSTRACT: Some horse breeds are highly selected for athletic activities. The athletic potential of each animal can be measured by its performance in sports. High athletic performance depends on the animal capacity to produce energy through aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways, among other factors. Transmembrane proteins called monocarboxylate transporters, mainly the isoform 1 (MCT1) and its ancillary protein CD147, can help the organism to adapt to physiological stress caused by physical exercise, transporting lactate and H+ ions. Horse breeds are selected for different purposes so we might expect differences in the amount of those proteins and in the genotypic frequencies for genes that play a significant role in the performance of the animals. The study of MCT1 and CD147 gene polymorphisms, which can affect the formation of the proteins and transport of lactate and H+, can provide enough information to be used for selection of athletic horses increasingly resistant to intense exercise. Two other candidate genes, the PDK4 and DMRT3, have been associated with athletic potential and indicated as possible markers for performance in horses. The oxidation of fatty acids is highly effective in generating ATP and is controlled by the expression of PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) in skeletal muscle during and after exercise. The doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3 (DMRT3) gene encodes an important transcription factor in the setting of spinal cord circuits controlling movement in vertebrates and may be associated with gait performance in horses. This review describes how the monocarboxylate transporters work during physical exercise in athletic horses and the influence of polymorphisms in candidate genes for athletic performance in horses.
RESUMO: Algumas raças de equinos são altamente selecionadas para atividades desportivas. O potencial atlético de cada animal pode ser medido pelo seu desempenho nas competições equestres. Um alto potencial atlético depende, entre outros fatores, da capacidade do animal de produzir energia através dos metabolismos aeróbio e anaeróbio. As proteínas transmembrana chamadas transportadores de monoxarboxilato, principalmente a isoforma 1 (MCT1) e sua proteína auxiliar CD147, podem ajudam o organismo a se adaptar ao estresse fisiológico causado pelo exercício físico, transportando íons lactato e H+. Algumas raças de equinos são selecionadas para diferentes objetivos, portanto é provável que existam diferenças nas quantidades de transportadores monocarboxilatos e na frequência genotípica dos seus respectivos genes. O estudo de polimorfismos nos genes das proteínas MCT1 e CD147, afetando a sua formação e o transporte dos íons lactato e H+, podem fornecer informações suficientes para a seleção de equinos com capacidade de serem altamente treinados e resistentes a intensos exercícios. Dois outros genes candidatos que têm sido relacionados com potencial atlético e utilizados como possíveis marcadores para desempenho em equinos são o PDK4 e o DMRT3. A oxidação de ácidos graxos é altamente efetiva para produção de ATP e é controlada pela expressão do gene PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) no musculo esquelético durante e após do exercício físico. O gene DMRT3 (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 3) codifica um importante fator de transcrição no controle dos movimentos em vertebrados e pode ser associado com a marcha em algumas raças de equinos. Esta revisão descreve como agem os transportadores de monocarboxilatos durante o exercício físico em equinos atletas e qual a influência de alguns polimorfismos em genes candidatos para o desempenho atlético em equinos.
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Recent studies performed in humans and rats have reported that exercise can alter the intestinal microbiota. Athletic horses perform intense exercise regularly, but studies characterizing horse microbiome during aerobic conditioning programs are still limited. Evidence has indicated that this microbial community is involved in the metabolic homeostasis of the host. Research on ergogenic substances using new sequencing technologies have been limited to the intestinal microbiota and there is a considerable demand for scientific studies that verify the effectiveness of these supplements in horses. L-carnitine and chromium are potentially ergogenic substances for athletic humans and horses since they are possibly able to modify the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. This study aimed to assess the impact of acute exercise and aerobic conditioning, associated either with L-carnitine or chromium supplementation, on the intestinal microbiota of fillies. Twelve "Mangalarga Marchador" fillies in the incipient fitness stage were distributed into four groups: control (no exercise), exercise, L-carnitine (10g/day) and chelated chromium (10mg/day). In order to investigate the impact of acute exercise or aerobic conditioning on fecal microbiota all fillies undergoing the conditioning program were analyzed as a separate treatment. The fillies underwent two incremental exercise tests before and after training on a treadmill for 42 days at 70-80% of the lactate threshold intensity. Fecal samples were obtained before and 48 h after acute exercise (incremental exercise test). Bacterial populations were characterized by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the MiSeq Illumina platform, and 5,224,389 sequences were obtained from 48 samples. The results showed that, overall, the two most abundant phyla were Firmicutes (50.22%) followed by Verrucomicrobia (15.13%). The taxa with the highest relative abundances were unclassified Clostridiales (17.06%) and "5 genus incertae sedis" from the phylum Verrucomicrobia (12.98%). There was a decrease in the phylum Chlamydiae and in the genus Mycobacterium after the second incremental exercise test. Intense exercise changed the community's structure and aerobic conditioning was associated with changes in the composition and structure of the intestinal bacterial population of fillies. The intra-group comparison showed that chromium or L-carnitine induced moderate changes in the fecal microbiota of fillies, but the microbiota did not differ from the control group, which was exercised with no supplementation. Fecal pH correlated positively with Simpson's index, while plasma pH correlated negatively. Our results show that exercise and aerobic conditioning can change in the microbiota and provide a basis for further studies enrolling a larger number of horses at different fitness levels to better understand the effects of exercise and training on the intestinal microbiota of horses.
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Carnitina/farmacologia , Cromo/farmacologia , Suplementos Nutricionais , Fezes/microbiologia , Condicionamento Físico Animal/fisiologia , Aerobiose , Animais , Aspartato Aminotransferases/sangue , Bactérias/classificação , Bactérias/genética , Carnitina/administração & dosagem , Cromo/administração & dosagem , Creatina Quinase/sangue , Feminino , Firmicutes/classificação , Firmicutes/genética , Cavalos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Lactatos/sangue , Consumo de Oxigênio/fisiologia , Análise de Componente Principal , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Fatores de Tempo , Verrucomicrobia/classificação , Verrucomicrobia/genéticaRESUMO
La utilización de marcadores moleculares trae gran progreso para el mejoramiento genético de especies comerciales destinadas a la producción, como bovinos, porcinos y aves, principalmente con el aumento de la precisión de predicciones de valores genéticos y rapidez en la selección de animales superiores. Esto ocurrió por medio del uso de algunos pocos marcadores ligados a Locus de Características Cuantitativas QTL (Selección Asistida por Marcadores) o por la estimación de efectos de millones de ellos simultáneamente (Estudio de asociación del Genoma Completo GWAS o asociación Genómica GS). Sin embargo, en otras especies domésticas, incluyendo los equinos, el empleo de esta biotecnología aun es poco explorado. Los primeros estudios para identificar variantes genéticas ligadas a mejores desempeños en carreras fueron realizados recientemente en la raza Pura Sangre Ingles (PSI), resultando en la implantación de pruebas genéticas que auxilian a los criadores en la selección de animales con mayor potencial genético. Esta revisión tiene por objetivo describir la situación actual de los marcadores moleculares aplicados a los caballos de carrera y las perspectivas del uso en el mejoramiento genético de equinos de carrera Cuarto de Milla, raza de gran importancia en el mundo y también en Brasil.(AU)
The use of molecular markers has brought great progress to genetic breeding programs of commercial species aimed at production, such as cattle, pigs and poultry, especially with the increase of the accuracy of prediction of breeding values, allowing early selection of better animals. This occurred either through the use of a few markers linked to Locos of Quantitative Trait QTL (marker-assisted selection) or the estimation of the effects of thousands of them simultaneously (Genome Wide Association Studies GWAS or Genomic Selection GS). However, in other domestic species, including equine, the use of this biotechnology remains underexplored. The first studies to identify genetic variants linked to better performance in races were performed with Thoroughbred horses, resulting in the implementation of genetic tests that assist breeders in selecting animals with greater genetic potential. The objective of this review was to describe the current status of molecular markers applied to racehorses and prospects of their use in genetic improvement of racing Quarter Horses, an important breed in the world and also in Brazil.(AU)
A utilização de marcadores moleculares trouxe grande progresso ao melhoramento genético de espécies comerciais destinados a produção, como bovinos, suínos e aves, principalmente com o aumento da acurácia de predição de valores genéticos e precocidade na seleção de animais superiores. Isto ocorreu por meio do uso de alguns poucos marcadores ligados a Locos de Características Quantitativas QTL (Seleção Assistida por Marcadores) ou pela estimação de efeitos de milhares deles simultaneamente (Estudos de Ampla Associação do Genoma GWAS ou Seleção Genômica GS). Por outro lado, em outras espécies domésticas, incluindo os equinos, o emprego desta biotecnologia ainda é pouco explorado. Os primeiros estudos a identificar variantes genéticas ligadas a melhores desempenhos em corridas foram realizados recentemente na raça Puro-Sangue Inglês (PSI), resultando na implantação de testes genéticos que auxiliam criadores na seleção de animais com maior potencial genético. Esta revisão tem por objetivo descrever a atual situação dos marcadores moleculares aplicados à cavalos de corrida e as perspectivas do seu uso no melhoramento genético de equinos de corrida Quarto de Milha, raça de grande importância no mundo e também no Brasil.(AU)