title: Genetic parameters and estimated breeding values of insect bite hypersensitivity in Belgian Warmblood horses.
abstract: Genetic factors involved in susceptibility to insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in Belgian Warmblood horses (BWP) were investigated. Data relating to 3409 horses were collected using a questionnaire, administered to owners during sport competitions, BWP breeding days, breeder visits and after phone calls. Horses were classified as IBH-affected or unaffected, based on two 'disease classifiers': a lifetime record, based on owner information (life_status) and another based on whether or not the horse was showing clinical signs at the time of questioning (clin_status). IBH prevalence was 10% based on life_status, and 6.2% based on clin_status. The heritabilities estimated using threshold animal models varied from 0.65 to 0.78 on the underlying scale (0.18-0.26 on the observed scale). These research findings indicate that susceptibility to IBH is a heritable trait in BWP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium. Electronic address: liesbet.peeters01@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Liesbet M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Machteld
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brebels
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BE-3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buys
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium; D001947:Breeding; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000662:veterinary; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006736:Horses; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Belgian Warmblood horses; Estimated breeding values; Genetic parameters; Heritability; Insect bite hypersensitivity