Polymorphisms in the Myostatin Gene Influence Muscle Fibre Composition and Race Distance Aptitude in Thoroughbred horses

The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in racing. Intense selection for speed and  stamina has led the Thoroughbred to develop energy-efficient muscles, with a high aerobic capacity  relative to skeletal muscle mass. Dr Mary F. Rooney and her colleagues from University College  Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, investigated how different myostatin genotypes in equine muscle are correlated with muscle fibre composition and, ultimately, influence the  race distance aptitude of the Thoroughbred horse.