Method for predicting the athletic performance potential of a subject

Abstract

A method for predicting the athletic performance potential of a subject comprising the step of assaying a biological sample from a subject for a genetic variant in linkage disequilibrium with MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP. The invention also provides an assay for determining the athletic performance potential of a subject.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of training a Thoroughbred race horse for optimal racing distance, comprising the steps of:
 a) identifying a Thoroughbred race horse that is or may become sufficiently developed for race training,   b) obtaining a biological sample from the horse,   c) obtaining DNA from the sample and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify at least one genetic variant in the biological sample from the horse, and   d) training the horse based on results of the analysis;   wherein the genetic variant is in linkage disequilibrium with an MSTN-8S493737 (T/C) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and wherein:
 i) the horse has a homozygous genotype of the genetic variant and is trained to race as a sprinter, 
 ii) the horse has a heterozygous genotype of the genetic variant and is trained to race over middle distances, or 
 iii) the horse does not have the genetic variant and is trained to race as a stayer. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the horse is a two-year old. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the genetic variant is in the MSTN gene region. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the genetic variant is in the MSTN gene flanking region. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the genetic variant is a SNP or an insertion polymorphism. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the genetic variant is a Chr18g.66495327lns227bp68495326 polymorphism. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein an r 2  value of linkage disequilibrium between the genetic variant and the MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP is at least 0.5. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the DNA from the sample is genomic DNA. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the biological sample is one or more of blood, saliva, skeletal muscle, hair, semen, bone marrow, soft tissue, internal organ biopsy sample, or skin of the horse. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) extracting or releasing DNA from the biological sample,   b) amplifying a target sequence or region in the DNA,   c) identifying the MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP, and   d) identifying the genetic variant in linkage disequilibrium with the MSTN- 66493737 (T/C) SNP,   
       wherein the target sequence or region comprises the MSTN gene region and/or the MSTN gene flanking region. 
     
     
         29 . A method of breeding a Thoroughbred race horse with elite athletic performance potential, comprising the steps of:
 a) obtaining a DNA sample from a Thoroughbred broodmare and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify at least one genetic variant in the DNA sample from the Thoroughbred broodmare,   b) obtaining a DNA sample from a Thoroughbred stallion and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify at least one genetic variant in the DNA sample from the Thoroughbred stallion, and   c) mating the broodmare with the stallion to produce a Thoroughbred offspring, wherein the genetic variant in the broodmare and in the stallion is in linkage disequilibrium with an MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP, and wherein:
 i) the broodmare and the stallion each have a homozygous genotype of the genetic variant and the offspring is bred to have elite sprinting performance potential, 
 ii) the broodmare and the stallion each do not have the genetic variant and the offspring is bred to have stamina performance potential, 
 iii) one of the broodmare and the stallion has a homozygous genotype of the genetic variant and the other horse in the mating pair has a heterozygous genotypes of the genetic variant, and the offspring is bred to have either elite sprinting performance potential or middle distance racing performance potential, 
 iv) one of the broodmare and stallion has a homozygous genotype of the genetic variant and the other horse in the mating pair does not have the genetic variant, and the offspring is bred to have middle distance racing performance potential, or 
 v) the broodmare and the stallion each have a heterozygous genotype of the genetic variant, and the offspring is bred to have elite sprinting performance potential, middle distance racing performance potential, or stamina performance potential. 
   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the genetic variant is in the MSTN gene region. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the genetic variant is in the MSTN gene flanking region. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the genetic variant is a SNP or an insertion polymorphism. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the genetic variant is a Chr18g.66495327Ins227bp66495326 polymorphism. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein an r 2  value of linkage disequilibrium between the genetic variant and the MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP is at least 0.5. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the DNA sample comprises genomic DNA. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the DNA sample of the broodmare and/or stallion is isolated from one or more of blood, saliva, skeletal muscle, hair, semen, bone marrow, soft tissue, internal organ biopsy sample, or skin of the horse. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the steps of;
 a) amplifying a target sequence or region in the DNA sample of the broodmare and/or stallion,   b) identifying the MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP, and   c) identifying the genetic variant in linkage disequilibrium with the MSTN-66493737 (T/C) SNP,   
       wherein the target sequence or region comprises the MSTN gene region and/or the MSTN gene flanking region. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising obtaining a DNA sample from the offspring and conducting a genotypic analysis to identify the genetic variant in the DNA sample from the offspring. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein:
 i) the offspring has a homozygous genotype of the genetic variant and is trained to race as a sprinter,   ii) the offspring has a heterozygous genotype of the genetic variant and is trained to race over middle distances, or   iii) the offspring does not have the genetic variant and is trained to race as a stayer.