The “gait keeper” mutation does not influence gait scores in Pêga donkeys: a preliminary result

The DMRT3 "gait keeper" mutation is a major determinant of locomotor patterns in horses, but its role in donkeys remains unclear. This study evaluated the association between this polymorphism and gait performance in Pêga donkeys, a breed selected for gaited locomotion. A total of 260 animals were phenotyped for gait scores and genotyped by PCR-sequencing targeting exon 2 of DMRT3. All individuals were homozygous for the wild-type allele (CC), and the mutant A allele was not detected. The monomorphism precludes any association with gait scores, possibly indicating that this DMRT3 mutation has a small/null influence in gait scoring of Pêga donkeys. It contrasts with its well-established effects in horses. Moreover, the results suggest distinct genetic architectures underlying locomotion evolution in these species, since allele A is frequent in gaited horse breeds but not in a gaited donkey breed.