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.
Comparison of peritoneal fluid values after laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy using a vessel-sealing device (Ligasure™) versus a ligating loop and removal of the descended testis. To determine the effect of unilateral laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and removal of the descended testis on peritoneal fluid values, and to compare effect between 2 methods for cryptorchid testis vessel hemostasis. Methods: Randomized clinical study. Methods: Stallions (n = 10) with unilateral abdominal cryptorchid testis. Methods: During standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, blood vessels within the mesorchium of the cryptorchid testis were either sealed and transected with the LigaSure Atlas™ or 2 ligating loops were placed proximal to the testis and the tissue transected with laparosco...
Ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma: a review. Ovulation in mammals involves pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus into the hypophyseal portal system with subsequent release of LH from the anterior pituitary into systemic circulation. Elevated circulating concentrations of LH induce a cascade of events within the mature follicle, culminating in follicle rupture and evacuation. The broad classification of species as either spontaneous or induced ovulators is based on the type of stimulus responsible for eliciting GnRH release from the hypothalamus. In spontaneously ovulating species (e.g., human, sheep, cattle, horse, pigs), relea...
Clinicopathologic evidence of myocardial injury in horses with acute abdominal disease. To determine whether there is evidence of myocardial injury in horses with acute abdominal disease. Methods: Prospective case series. Methods: 18 healthy horses and 69 horses with acute abdominal disease. Methods: 18 healthy horses had been admitted to the hospital for investigation and were assigned to group 1. Horses examined for acute abdominal disease were assigned to 3 groups: strangulating obstruction, nonstrangulating obstruction, or inflammatory disease (groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Heart rate, Hct, and blood lactate and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations were measured at i...
Effectiveness of safety vests in pediatric horseback riding. Despite the benefit of safety vests to the reduction of torso injuries in children and adolescents is unclear, its' use is recommended. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of safety vests actually used in pediatric equestrian activities. Methods: In this case-control-study, we analyzed the accidents of 92 riders aged 18 or younger who fell off a horse onto his/her torso during a period of 18 months. Data were gathered from the clinical records. Additionally, a questionnaire was administered on the day of trauma by the patients and/or their parents. Results: The cases...
Kisspeptide in the estrous mare: is it an appropriate ovulation-inducing agent? Kisspeptides (KiSS) are a recently discovered family of neuropeptides with a central role in regulating the onset of reproductive function in all animals studied to date. We have established biological and physiological evidence for KiSS signaling in the mare. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the physiological and behavioral responses of mares repeatedly given the equine-specific kisspeptpin decapeptide (eKp-10, YRWNSFGLRY-NH(2)) in an effort to shorten the interovulatory period. Administration of eKp-10 (0.5 mg iv every 4 h) to mares beginning on Day 16 postovulation (Group ...
Ultrasonographic visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature as an indicator of large colon right dorsal displacement or 180° volvulus (or both) in horses. Visualization of colonic mesenteric vasculature during transabdominal ultrasonographic examination of horses with colic can be a predictor of right dorsal displacement of the large colon or 180° large colon volvulus, or both. Medical records of 82 horses having had surgical treatment of colic and having received a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination on admission were reviewed. Colonic mesenteric vessels were sonographically identified coursing laterally on the right side of the abdomen in 24 of the 82 cases. Horses with colonic vessels identified on ultrasound were 32.5 times more lik...
Direct intra-abdominal pressures and abdominal perfusion pressures in unsedated normal horses. To determine whether direct intra-abdominal pressures (IAP) and calculated direct abdominal perfusion pressures (APP) are location dependent within the abdomen of standing horses. We hypothesize that IAP will be increased and calculated APP will be decreased at a ventral abdominal location (V) when compared to values obtained from the left (LFl) or right flank (RFl). Methods: Prospective experimental design. Methods: University-based equine research facility. Methods: Seven healthy adult horses, 4 geldings and 3 mares. Methods: Measurements of direct IAP obtained from the RFl, LFl, and V locat...
Effects of FSH and LH on ovarian and follicular blood flow, follicular growth and oocyte developmental competence in young and old mares. Objectives of the experiment were to determine the effects of mare age and gonadotropin treatments on dominant follicle vascularity, ovarian blood flow and dominant follicle growth and to associate follicular vascularity with oocyte developmental capacity. Growing follicles >30 mm from young (4-9 years) and old (>20 years) mares were assessed for blood flow using color Doppler ultrasonography before maturation induction with recombinant equine LH (eLH) and immediately prior to oocyte collection at 20-24 h after eLH. Pulsed Doppler was used to obtain resistance indices of ovarian arteries...
The effect of administering equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) post artificial insemination on fertility of lactating dairy cows. The objective was to evaluate the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and hCG post artificial insemination (AI) on fertility of lactating dairy cows. In Experiment 1, cows were either treated with eCG on Day 22 post AI (400 IU; n = 80) or left untreated (n = 84). On Day 29, pregnant cows were either treated with hCG (2500 IU; n = 32) or left untreated (n = 36). Pregnancy and progesterone were evaluated on Days 29 and 45. In Experiment 2, cows (n = 28) were either treated with eCG on Day 22 (n = 13) or left untreated (n = 15) and either treated with hCG on Day 29 (n = 14) or left untr...
Evaluation of L-lactate and cardiac troponin I in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. To evaluate changes in plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and L-lactate (LLt) as prognostic indicators in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: Veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Thirty-four horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Methods: Serial blood sampling during various times during hospitalization (hospital admission, and 12, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively) evaluating cTnI and LLt concentrations. Results: All horses required surgery for correction of a strangulating (n = 29) or nonstrangulating obstruction (n = 5) of...
Dynamics of circulating progesterone concentrations before and during luteolysis: a comparison between cattle and horses. The profile of circulating progesterone concentration is more dynamic in cattle than in horses. Greater prominence of progesterone fluctuations in cattle than in horses reflect periodic interplay in cattle between pulses of a luteotropin (luteinizing hormone; LH) and pulses of a luteolysin (prostaglandin F2alpha; PGF2alpha). A dose of PGF2alpha that induces complete regression of a mature corpus luteum with a single treatment in cattle or horses is an overdose. The overdose effects on the progesterone profile in cattle are an immediate nonphysiological increase taking place over about 30 min, ...
A case of ambiguous external genitalia in a Thoroughbred male horse with the 63,XO/64,XY mosaic karyotype. A Thoroughbred colt with ambiguous external genitalia was presented for clinical and histological examinations. The colt had a short penis that faced backward between his hind limbs. The measurements of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and ir-inhibin showed a tendency to increase gradually from April. Both the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome and amelogenin gene fragments were detected by the PCR method. A cytogenetic analysis revealed the 63,XO/64,XY mosaic karyotype (ratio 83:17). In autopsy, immature symmetrical subcutaneous testes were found in the ...
Circulating pituitary and gonadal hormones in spring-born Thoroughbred fillies and colts from birth to puberty. The present study was conducted to elucidate the profile of circulating gonadotropins and gonadal hormones from birth to puberty and relationship between gonadal seasonality and hormonal secretion in both sexes of Thoroughbred horses. Spring-born colts (n=6) and fillies (n=9) were blood sampled weekly from jugular vein from birth to 60 weeks of age. Circulating FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, estradiol-17β, and immunoreactive (ir)-inhibin were measured by radioimmunoassay. In both sexes, the steroid hormones levels were remarkably high at birth, rapidly dropped within a week a...
Reproductive seasonality in the mare: neuroendocrine basis and pharmacologic control. Reproductive seasonality in the mare is characterized by a marked decline in adenohypophyseal synthesis and secretion of LH beginning near the autumnal equinox. Thus, ovarian cycles have ceased in most mares by the time of the winter solstice. Endogenous reproductive rhythms in seasonal species are entrained or synchronized as a result of periodic environmental cues. In the horse, this cue is primarily day length. Hence, supplemental lighting schemes have been used managerially for decades to modify the annual timing of reproduction in the mare. Although a full characterization of the cellular...
[Diagnostic assessment of peritoneal fluid cytology in horses with abdominal neoplasia]. To evaluate the diagnostic value of peritoneal fluid (PF) cytology for clinical diagnosis of abdominal neoplasia in horses. Methods: Ten horses with histopathologically confirmed abdominal neoplasia, in which a PF analysis was performed, were included in this retrospective study. PF was analyzed for total protein concentration and a nucleated cell count was performed. Using cytological criteria of malignancy, the PF samples were evaluated regarding their probability of malignancy. Results: Cytologic classification of cells according to criteria of malignancy allowed a positive cytologic diagno...
Seasonal changes in luteal progesterone concentration and mRNA expressions of progesterone synthesis-related proteins in the corpus luteum of mares. Although circulating progesterone (P₄) levels tend to change with the season, little is known about the seasonal changes of P₄ synthesis-related proteins in the corpus luteum (CL) of mares. To examine these changes, seventy-four ovaries containing a CL were collected from Anglo-Norman mares at a local abattoir in Kumamoto, Japan (~N32°), five times during one year. The stages of the CLs were classified as early, mid and regressed by macroscopic observation of the CL and follicles. The mid CL, which had the highest P₄ concentration, was used to evaluate the seasonal changes in P₄ synth...
Kisspeptins and the reproductive axis: potential applications to manage reproduction in farm animals. Kisspeptins (Kp) are a family of neuropeptides produced mainly by two hypothalamic neuronal cell populations. They have recently emerged as a major regulator of the gonadotropin axis and their action is located upstream of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) cell population. In less than 10 yr a growing body of literature has demonstrated the involvement of these peptides in most, if not all, aspects of reproductive axis maturation and function. In contrast to these abundant basic research studies, few experiments have evaluated the potential application of Kp as tools to manipulate repr...
Successful induction of lactation in a barren Thoroughbred mare: growth of a foal raised on induced lactation and the corresponding maternal hormone profiles. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that a barren parous Thoroughbred mare with lactation induced by hormonal treatment can be introduced to an orphan foal at the same farm and that the mare can become pregnant after the end of the hormonal treatment. An additional purpose was to investigate the changes in the plasma concentrations of prolactin, estradiol-17β, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone before, during, and after hormonal treatment. The difference in body weight between the adopted foal and the control foals, which were at the same farm and rai...
Reproductive characteristics of stallions during the breeding and non-breeding season in a tropical region. The objective of this study was to investigate reproductive characteristics of stallions at a tropical zone in the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The following parameters were assessed: testicular volume; semen quality; and serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and testosterone; in addition to the percentages of germ cells and proportions of germ cells/Sertoli cells by testicular cytology in stallions. Semen was collected from eight adult stallions twice a week during a 12-week period in both seasons (6 weeks before and 6 weeks after the summer and winter solstices). Jugular blood samples were ...
Gene expression of ACTH, glucocorticoid receptors, 11βHSD enzymes, LH-, FSH-, GH receptors and aromatase in equine epididymal and testicular tissue. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important mediators of the stress response and have been implicated in the function and regulation of testicular functions in different species. In many tissues, intracellular glucocorticoid activity is controlled by either or both of the two known isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) type 1 and 2, which interconvert active and inactive GCs. Little is known about the effects of stress on fertility in the equine species. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the expression of receptors for GCs and adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACT...
Small intestinal strangulation caused by a mesodiverticular band and diverticulum on the mesenteric border of the small intestine in a horse. A 4-year-old Quarter horse stallion was presented for acute abdominal pain. Exploratory celiotomy revealed a mesenteric diverticulum of the jejunum and mesodiverticular band that were associated with small intestinal strangulation. Resection and anastomosis were performed. A second celiotomy was performed due to adhesions. The horse recovered completely and returned to training. Un étalon Quarter horse âgé de 4 ans a été présenté pour une douleur abdominale aiguë. Une laparatomie exploratoire a révélé un diverticule mésentérique du jéjunum et une bande mésodiverticulaire qui on...
Secretion of luteinizing hormone into pituitary venous effluent of the follicular and luteal phase mare: novel acceleration of episodic release during constant infusion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. We tested the hypothesis that continuous infusion of native GnRH into mares during the estrous cycle, at a dose of 100 μg/h, would elevate circulating concentrations of LH without disrupting the endogenous, episodic pattern of LH release. Ten cyclic mares were assigned to one of two groups (n = 5/group): (1) Control (saline) and (2) GnRH in saline (100 μg/h). On experimental day 0 (3 to 6 d after ovulation), osmotic pumps containing saline or GnRH were placed subcutaneously and connected to a jugular infusion catheter. Blood samples were collected from jugular catheters daily and at 5-min in...
Intra-abdominal hyaluronan concentration in peritoneal fluid of horses with sudden signs of severe abdominal pain. To determine hyaluronan concentrations in peritoneal fluid from healthy horses and horses with sudden signs of severe abdominal pain and to identify the cellular sources of hyaluronan within the peritoneal cavity. Methods: 7 client-owned horses that were evaluated for sudden signs of severe abdominal pain, 6 healthy teaching horses, and 13 euthanized horses (11 with no abdominal disease and 2 that had undergone abdominal surgery 2 weeks previously for a different study). Methods: Abdominal fluid was collected from the client-owned and teaching horses. Hyaluronan concentrations were determined ...
The mare: a 1000-pound guinea pig for study of the ovulatory follicular wave in women. The mare is a good comparative model for study of ovarian follicles in women, owing to striking similarities in follicular waves and the mechanism for selection of a dominant follicle. Commonality in follicle dynamics between mares and women include: (1) a ratio of 2.2:1 (mare:woman) in diameter of the largest follicle at wave emergence when the wave-stimulating FSH surge reaches maximum, in diameter increase of the two largest follicles between emergence and the beginning of deviation between the future dominant and subordinate follicles, in diameter of each of the two largest follicles at th...
Abdominal computed radiography for the diagnosis of enterolithiasis in horses: 142 cases (2003?2007). To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of abdominal computed radiography (CR) for the diagnosis of enterolithiasis in horses and to examine how these parameters are affected by the number and anatomic location of enteroliths and by gas distension of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses ? 1 year old that underwent abdominal CR and subsequent exploratory laparotomy or postmortem examination. Methods: 3 reviewers blinded to signalment, history, clinical signs, and diagnoses separately evaluated abdominal computed radiographs of horses included in th...
Understanding abdominal ultrasonography in horses: which way is up? The recent introduction of more affordable and portable ultrasound equipment makes it possible to perform transabdominal ultrasonography on equine patients in the field. Clipping the hair is not always necessary: intraabdominal structures can be quickly evaluated by soaking hair with isopropyl alcohol and using a 3.0- to 3.5-MHz curvilinear transducer. The ultrasonographer must be acquainted with the location and architecture of normal intraabdominal structures and simultaneously mindful of the depth of the viewing field, the tissue interface densities, the orientation of the transducer relati...
Treatment with recombinant equine follicle stimulating hormone (reFSH) followed by recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) increases embryo recovery in superovulated mares. The dynamics of ovarian follicular development depend on a timely interaction of gonadotropins and gonadal feedback in the mare. The development and efficacy of genetically cloned recombinant equine gonadotropins (reFSH and reLH) increase follicular activity and induce ovulation, respectively, but an optimum embryo recovery regimen in superovulated mares has not been established. The objective of this study was to determine if treatment with reFSH followed by reLH would increase the embryo per ovulation ratio and the number of embryos recovered after superovulation in mares. Sixteen estrous cy...
Disseminated lipid-rich peritoneal mesothelioma in a horse. A 9-year-old Haflinger mare presented to the Liphook Equine Hospital with a history of weight loss, azotemia, and repeated episodes of ascites over a period of 10 days. The horse was euthanized after exploratory laparotomy revealed large numbers of variably sized masses distributed throughout the peritoneal cavity. Macroscopically, some masses were papillary, while others were nodular. Histologically, the masses were comprised of large to giant, variably shaped, and occasionally multinucleated neoplastic cells with marked anisokaryosis and anisocytosis and a high mitotic rate. Small to moderat...
Concentrations of circulating hormones during the interval between pulses of a PGF2α metabolite in mares and heifers. The temporal relationship of several hormones to a metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) was studied in mares and heifers from the beginning of the first PGFM pulse during luteolysis to the end of the second pulse. Mares (n=7) were selected with a 9-h interval between the peaks of the two pulses. In mares, estradiol-17β (estradiol) increased (P<0.05) within each PGFM pulse and plateaued for a mean of 6h between the pulses, resulting in a stepwise estradiol increase. Progesterone decreased linearly (P<0.0001) throughout the intra-pulse and inter-pulse intervals of PGFM. In heifers (n=6...