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Twilight, a Thoroughbred mare, was the subject of the first full sequencing of the specific genetic material, or genome, that makes horses unique from other animals. Another mare, a Quarter Horse named Sugar, was used to sequence the genome for this breed. Advances in technology helped researchers identify at least three million genetic variations between the representatives of these two breeds, though both animals are of the same genus and species. Many of these variations were in genes that influence diseases and immunity.

When body cells replicate or when sex cells are produced, chromosomes split and may recombine in slightly different arrangements. This normal variation usually isn’t harmful to the animal, but sometimes the recombination creates conditions that lead to a malfunction, disease, or deformity that can be passed on to the individual’s offspring. If the change affects genes that are critical to immune function, animals with the variation may be less successful in resisting infections and diseases that impact their performance capability and general well-being.

Studying genes that are related to illness and immunity may eventually aid scientists and breeders in eliminating genetic diseases and supporting the overall health of horses. This research may also be applicable to some human health conditions because some diseases and conditions are controlled by comparable genes.

Further, horses and humans have a high degree of conserved synteny, meaning that the various chromosomes are arranged and grouped similarly in both species. Conserved synteny is seen at a much higher rate for horses and humans than between humans and some other species such as dogs. This indicates that humans and horses diverged in development more recently than dogs and humans, so there is more likelihood that insights into equine disease and immune function can be related to comparable areas of human health.

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