Topic:Abdominal
Research in the abdominal health and conditions category examines digestive physiology, gastrointestinal disorders, and treatment protocols in horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed studies and journal articles on the pathophysiology of common digestive issues, diagnostic techniques for conditions like colic and gastric ulcers, and evaluations of various treatment strategies.
Attempts at surgical correction of unusual colonic fistulae in the horse. Two incidents of penetrating wounds into the abdominal cavity of horses are presented. In both events these had resulted in penetraton of the intestinal tract. Both animals had received only minimal veterinary attention in the acute stage and had survived with the formation of intestinal fistulae.Attempts at surgical repair resulted in failure in one animal and in closure of the fistula in the second with some subsequent cosmetic defect.
Testosterone administration to mares during estrus: duration of estrus and diestrus and concentrations of LH and FSH in plasma. To study the possible role of ovarian androgens in regulation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in the cycling mare, five mature, intact mares were treated with testosterone (20 micrograms/kg of body weight) daily during estrus; five control mares received safflower oil on the same schedule. Mares were teased for estrus and samples of jugular blood were drawn daily through one full estrous cycle. Concentrations of FSH in plasma were measured by a newly developed radioimmunoassay based on anti-ovine FSH serum and radioiodinated equine FSH. Testosterone treatment during estrus had ...
Testosterone effects on mares during synchronization with altrenogest: FSH, LH, estrous duration and pregnancy rate. Twelve mares fed altrenogest for 14 d were used to study the effects of a single injection of testosterone propionate on concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) during diestrus, and to relate the normal and perturbed patterns of FSH secretion to subsequent estrous characteristics and fertility. Seven of 12 mares received testosterone propionate at 200 micrograms/kg of body weight on d 5 of progestogen feeding. Mares were teased and blood samples were drawn daily; all mares were artificially inseminated at the first estrus after progestogen treatment. Testosterone propionate treatm...
Effects of melatonin and thyrotropin releasing hormone on mares during the nonbreeding season. Two hormonal treatments, chosen for their effectiveness in other seasonally breeding species, were tested in mares during the nonbreeding season to determine if they could induce ovarian activity and estrus during the winter. Of 15 functionally anestrous (anovulatory) mares, five received intravaginal, polyurethane sponges containing .75 g of melatonin on December 16; fresh sponges containing melatonin were inserted weekly until February 3. These mares also received daily injections of saline. Five other mares received daily im injections of 100 micrograms of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH...
Nonstrangulated colonic displacement in horses. Nonstrangulated colonic displacement was diagnosed by exploratory celiotomy in 32 horses with acute abdominal pain. Clinical signs progressed slowly and included evidence of mild to moderate abdominal pain, good cardiovascular status, reduced intestinal sounds, and normal peritoneal fluid, and resembled those of colonic impaction. In most horses, rectal palpation supported a diagnosis of colonic obstruction but not a diagnosis of colonic impaction.
Uroperitoneum in the foal. The case records of 22 foals with uroperitoneum were reviewed. The most common cause was a defect in the urinary bladder. A sex predilection for males was apparent. Clinical signs were tachycardia, tachypnea, and abdominal distention. The history pertaining to micturition was variable. Hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hyperkalemia were marked. A reliable means of diagnosis was considered to be the demonstration of a wide disparity in serum and peritoneal fluid creatinine values. Surgical repair was successful in 11 of 18 cases, although surgical and anesthetic complications were common. Some o...
Influence of photoperiod on the pregnant and postpartum mare. Over a 2-year period, mares (n = 32) of predominantly Quarter Horse breeding and their foals were used to study the effects of photoperiod on reproduction during the periparturient period. Specific objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the effects of an extended photoperiod regimen (16 hours' light) on gestation length, foal development, and postpartum reproductive performance, and (ii) to measure changes in plasma progesterone concentrations during the last trimester of gestation and plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations after foaling until ovulation. Mares in the extended day...
The role of androgens in follicular development in the ovary. I. A quantitative analysis of oocyte ovulation. In an attempt to understand more fully processes that control the selection or recruitment of follicles for ovulation, the superovulation paradigm in combination with the androgen, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, or the antiandrogens, cyproterone or cyproterone acetate, was used in the immature mouse to alter the developmental potential of follicles destined to ovulate or to become atretic. Quantitative analysis of the numbers of eggs ovulated after one or more rounds of stimulation by pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin followed by human chorionic gonadotrophin (PMSG-hCG), revealed a dose-depend...
Cholelithiasis in four horses. Four cases of cholelithiasis in horses were reviewed. Two horses were examined because of recurrent abdominal pain. Clinical laboratory data, results of physical examination, and history indicated biliary obstruction. In 1 case, B-mode ultrasonography aided in the diagnosis, which was confirmed at necropsy. In 2 horses, the biliary calculi were incidental necropsy findings.
The anion gap as a prognostic indicator in horses with abdominal pain. The anion gap was calculated for each of 90 horses with signs of abdominal pain, using laboratory data obtained shortly after admission. The anion gap was defined as the difference between the sodium concentration (mEq/L) and the sum of the chloride and bicarbonate concentrations. To evaluate the use of the anion gap as a prognostic indicator, the survival rates were calculated for horses whose anion gap concentrations were within various ranges. It was found that the probability of survival decreased as the anion gap progressively increased about 20 mEq/L. The survival rates for increasing ra...
Equine luteinizing hormone possesses follicle-stimulating hormone activity in hypophysectomized female rats. The ability of equine luteinizing hormone (eLH) to promote follicular growth and maturation in hypophysectomized rats has been assessed. A single injection of equine LH has been shown to promote the growth of a large number of antral and preovulatory follicles. In addition, equine LH markedly increased serum estrogen levels and uterine weight. Furthermore, equine LH, like equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG; PMSG) was able to significantly enhance the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into ovarian DNA, an activity shown to be specific to hormones having follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) activity....
The acute abdominal patient: postoperative management and complications. The postoperative management of the surgical colic patient varies according to the complications experienced. Many of these complications can be related to the time at which surgery is performed
relative to commencement of the problem, the condition of the patient at the time of surgery, the particular condition, and, last but not
least, the surgeon's performance. Some of the points have been discussed elsewhere in the symposium. The maintenance of asepsis, attention to minimizing trauma to the bowel, and appropriate attention
to visceral and parietal closures are all important principles. ...
Effect of anabolic steroids on reproductive function of young stallions. Thirty-two stallions were used to determine the effect of anabolic steroids on reproductive function. Stallions were assigned to one of the four treatments: 1) .23 ml sesame oil/kg of body weight (BW; control, C); 2) 4.4 mg boldenone undecylenate/kg BW (4E); 3) 1.1 mg boldenone undecylenate/kg BW (1E) and 4) 1.1 mg nandrolone decanoate/kg BW (D). Injections were given at 3-wk intervals for 15 wk. Semen was collected every other day for 3 wk before the first injection and at the same frequency during d 85 through 105 (d 0 = day of first injection). Libido was assessed on the basis of reaction t...
Effect of increased photoperiod on hormone concentrations in thoroughbred stallions. Stallions on two Central Kentucky farms (9/farm) were studied during the 1980 breeding season. On one farm stallions were exposed to an increased photoperiod (16 h light/day) from 1 December 1979; on the second farm the stallions were maintained in an ambient photoperiod. On the basis of matings per conception (total mating/mares in foal) stallions on each farm were assigned to a high fertility (1 . 9-2 . 4 matings per conception, N = 4) or low fertility (2 . 6-5 . 6 matings per conception, N = 5) group. Exposure of stallions to increased photoperiod significantly increased serum concentration...
Glucocorticoid suppression of oestrus, follicles, LH and ovulation in the mare. Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, was administered (30 mg/day) from Day 10 after ovulation to assess the involvement of the adrenal glands in the ovulatory cycle. Only 1 of 8 mares treated in this way exhibited behavioural oestrus, compared to 7 of 8 control mares. Mean maximum LH concentration and follicle size were significantly reduced. Ovulation occurred in 1 and possibly in 2 other treated mares, compared to all 8 control mares. The results demonstrated that dexamethasone can interfere with ovulation and associated events in the mare, but the mechanism of action is uncertain.
Effects of exogenous steroids on serum FSH and LH, and on follicular development in cyclic mares. Cyclic mares were given daily i.m. injections of 150 mg progesterone (Group P, N = 4), 150 mg progesterone and 10 mg oestradiol-17 beta (Group PE, N = 3), 10 mg oestradiol-17 beta (Group E, N = 3) or cottonseed oil vehicle (Group C, N = 4), from the day after ovulation (Day 1) to Day 28. Blood samples were collected daily, and the ovaries were palpated every 1-2 days. Serum FSH and LH concentrations were measured in all samples, and means determined for 7 consecutive 4-day periods throughout treatment. Comparisons within each steroid treatment group between time periods and comparisons between...
Effect of prolonged administration of anabolic and androgenic steroids on reproductive function in the mare. Administration to mares of the anabolic steroid, methandriol, at the maximum recommended dose (300 mg every 3 weeks) for 1 1/2 years had no effect on reproductive characteristics except for suppression of GnRH-induced LH release and a tendency to suppress basal LH levels and the height of the ovulatory LH surge. A 4-fold increase in dosage caused marked suppression of basal LH, the LH surge, and GnRH-induced LH release. Other reproductive responses were minimally affected. There were no behavioural effects, and no changes in weight occurred when mares were compared with matched controls. Small...