PCR-RFLP method applied for identification of Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome carriers in Polish warmblood horses.

Abstract

The method for identifying the causative mutation for Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) involved PCR amplification of a 259-base pair fragment of the PLOD1 gene and its digestion with the restriction enzyme Aci I was developed, allowing for the clear detection of WFFS carriers. Eight WFFS carriers were detected among 308 warmblood horses kept in different farms across Poland, giving an overall frequency of 2.59%, which indicates a rather low frequency of the causative mutation for WFFS in Poland. Further research should be conducted on a larger number of horses, particularly those breeds in which WFFS carriers have already been identified or where there is a risk of carrier status based on the horse's pedigree.