Publications by authors named "H Kakoi"
Article Synopsis
- The Taishu horse, a native Japanese breed, faces extinction, making it crucial to identify genes responsible for its unique traits to conserve its genetic diversity.
- In a study of 56 Taishu horses, only three out of nine genes studied were found to have polymorphisms, influencing traits like coat color but not body composition or gait.
- The findings emphasize the need for targeted breeding strategies to preserve rare phenotype traits in Taishu horses, which could also support the conservation of other endangered Japanese horse breeds.
Evaluation of circulating miRNAs in mares approaching parturition.
Domest Anim Endocrinol
October 2024
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are stable in body fluids and can serve as biomarkers for various diseases and physiological states. Although pregnancy-related miRNAs have been identified in various mammals, studies on parturition-related circulating miRNAs in mares are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to identify parturition-related miRNAs and examine their potential applications in the prediction of parturition date.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGene doping is prohibited in horse sports and can involve the administration of exogenous genes, called transgenes, to postnatal animals. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods have been developed to detect gene doping; however, these generally require DNA extraction from the plasma prior to qPCR. In this study, we developed two methods, direct droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and nested ddPCR, to detect the equine erythropoietin (EPO) transgene without DNA extraction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCirculating microRNAs (miRNAs) are stable in bodily fluids and are potential biomarkers of various diseases and physiological states. Although several studies have been conducted on humans to detect drug doping by miRNAs, research on drugs and miRNAs in horses is limited. In this study, circulating miRNAs in horses after hydrocortisone administration were profiled and variations in miRNAs affected by hydrocortisone administration during endogenous hydrocortisone elevation were examined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Individual identification and paternity testing are crucial for managing small animal populations and ensuring fairness in horse racing by using genetic markers.
- A new identification panel for horses was developed using 39 INDEL markers, which showed high effectiveness in paternity testing with minimal chances of error.
- The panel can be used for various applications, including individual identification, securing parentage, and analyzing urine samples, while being simpler and more reliable than other genetic testing methods.