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Topic:Animal Science
Animal Science and horses encompass the study of equine biology, physiology, and management practices aimed at understanding and improving horse health, welfare, and performance. This field integrates various scientific disciplines, including genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and behavior, to address the needs of horses in diverse contexts such as sports, work, and companionship. Research in this area often focuses on optimizing feeding strategies, enhancing breeding programs, and developing effective health management protocols. Additionally, studies explore the genetic factors influencing traits such as athleticism and disease resistance, as well as the impact of environmental and management conditions on horse behavior and welfare. This page gathers peer-reviewed research and scholarly articles that investigate the scientific principles underpinning equine science and their practical applications in horse care and management.
Identification and seasonal distribution of airborne fungi in three horse stables in Italy. Fungal agents are responsible for a variety of respiratory diseases both in humans and animals. The nature and seasonal variations of fungi have been investigated in many environments with wide ranging results. The aims of the present report were (i) to evaluate the quality and magnitude of exposure to airborne fungi in three differently structured equine stalls (open air, partially and completely enclosed buildings) during a one-year period, using an air sampling technique and (ii) to compare the distribution and frequency of fungal species, with regards to these different environments. Air s...
A high-resolution physical map of equine homologs of HSA19 shows divergent evolution compared with other mammals. A high-resolution (1 marker/700 kb) physically ordered radiation hybrid (RH) and comparative map of 122 loci on equine homologs of human Chromosome 19 (HSA19) shows a variant evolution of these segments in equids/Perissodactyls compared with other mammals. The segments include parts of both the long and the short arm of horse Chromosome 7 (ECA7), the proximal part of ECA21, and the entire short arm of ECA10. The map includes 93 new markers, of which 89 (64 gene-specific and 25 microsatellite) were genotyped on a 5000-rad horse x hamster RH panel, and 4 were mapped exclusively by FISH. The orie...
Association between equine temperament and polymorphisms in dopamine D4 receptor gene. The variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene has been reported to be associated with the personality trait of novelty-seeking in humans. In the genus Equus, this region includes an 18-bp repeat unit and there are inter- and intraspecies differences in the number of repetitions. Because horses are unique among livestock species in that their temperament is considered important, we investigated the possible role of this region on equine temperament in thoroughbred horses. We simultaneously determined the sequences of this polymorphic region an...
Effect of oestrous-cycle stage on the response of mares in a novel object test and isolation test. In various species, sex, hormonal treatments and oestrous-cycle stage have been shown to affect the animal's response in behavioural tests. Few such studies have been performed in the horse. The main aim of the present study was to investigate whether oestrous-cycle stage affects mares' response to a novel object test and isolation test and, in part, to study whether mares, assumed to suffer from oestrous-related behavioural problems, respond differently in these tests when compared with controls. Twelve mares were tested twice, in oestrus and dioestrus, in a crossover design. Seven behavioura...
Nucleotide sequence of complementary DNA encoding for quaking protein of cow, horse and pig. Complementary DNA (cDNA) for bovine quaking gene (Bqk), equine quaking gene (Eqk) and porcine quaking gene (Pqk), which are homologous to mouse quaking gene (qkI), were isolated, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. cDNA sequences of Bqk, Eqk and Pqk showed very high homology to that of qkI at nucleotide level; 94.2, 95.7 and 95.6%, respectively. Deduced amino acid sequences for Bqk, Eqk and Pqk perfectly matched to that of qkI. These findings suggest that the quaking gene family is highly conserved during mammalian evolution, and that Bqk, Eqk and Pqk are likely to have important b...
Dynamic averaging and foraging decisions in horses (Equus callabus). The variability of most environments taxes foraging decisions by increasing the uncertainty of the information available. One solution to the problem is to use dynamic averaging, as do some granivores and carnivores. Arguably, the same strategy could be useful for grazing herbivores, even though their food renews and is more homogeneously distributed. Horses (Equus callabus) were given choices between variable patches after short or long delays. When patch information was current, horses returned to the patch that was recently best, whereas those without current information matched choices to ...
The influence of 1-10 kD fraction from brains of the hibernating ground squirrel and the Yakut horse on proliferation and protein synthesizing system of Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma cells. The experimental data presented in the work testify to the cytostatic activity of 1-10 kD polypeptide fractions from brains of the hibernating ground squirrel and the Yakut horse towards Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma (EAC) cells. The experiments on the investigation of the inhibiting influence of 1-10 kD fractions from tissues of the hibernating and cold-adapted animals on protein-synthesizing system of EAC cells allow us to conclude that the cytostatic effect of the fractions is effected at the genetic level in the tumor cells.
Major histocompatibility complex locus DRA polymorphism in the endangered Sorraia horse and related breeds. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play well-defined roles in eliciting immune responses and combating infectious diseases. This genetic system is among the most polymorphic. The extent of genetic variation within a population has been directly correlated with fitness for many traits. The MHC class II locus DRA polymorphism was analysed in the endangered Sorraia horse, two other Portuguese and four New World horse breeds considered to be historically close to the Sorraia. Comparison of the Sorraia with other breeds demonstrated less MHC variation among Sorraia horses. If DRA poly...
The role of stallion seminal proteins in fertilisation. Seminal plasma proteins are secretory proteins originating mainly from the epididymis and the accessory sex glands. They are involved in the remodelling of the sperm surface which occurs during sperm transit through the male genital tract and continues later at ejaculation. During this process, collectively called post-testicular sperm maturation, the spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilise an egg. Seminal plasma proteins have been shown to contribute to early and central steps of the fertilisation sequence, e.g. the establishment of the oviductal sperm reservoir, modulation of capacitati...
A new tool to monitor training and performance of sport horses using global positioning system (GPS) with integrated GSM capabilities. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are considered suitable to monitor the position and velocity of horses during cross-country competition or in training. Furthermore, simultaneous recording of life data such as heart rate could be useful to assess the horse's condition during exercise. To test the suitability and reliability of a commercially available GPS system with integrated heart rate recording system and with built in GSM for data transmission, the Fidelak Equipilot Type EP-2003-15/G-2.11 (EP-15/G) was evaluated first for reliability of pulse recording from a pulse generator within the ph...
Preliminary trial on the reproducibility of epizootic lymphangitis through experimental infection of two horses. Epizootic lymphangitis (EL) was experimentally reproduced in four horses that had been purchased from an EL-free district. Two horses were injected with either 0.2 mL of the yeast form of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (HCF) in pus (Horse 1), or 0.2 mL (ca. 20 mg) of a suspension in saline of the mycelial form (Horse 2), both into the pre-scapular and pre-femoral lymph nodes, with scarification of the skin of the left hind limb, conjunctiva of the right eye and the nasal membrane of the right nostril. The two other horses served as controls. Nodular lesions of EL appeared during the ...
Aversive conditioning of periodic spontaneous erection adversely affects sexual behavior and semen in stallions. Periodic spontaneous erection and penile movements known as masturbation (SEAM) occur normally at approximately 90 min intervals in awake equids. SEAM in horses has traditionally been misunderstood by many horsemen as aberrant behavior that should be eliminated. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for trainers of performance stallions or managers of breeding stallions to punish SEAM in an attempt to eliminate the behavior. Previous clinical observations and preliminary unsystematic trials had suggested that attempts to stop stallion SEAM may lead to an increase rather than a decrease in SEAM, and ...
Aspergillosis in mammals and birds: impact on veterinary medicine. Aspergillosis is relatively uncommon in mammals, but dogs, horses, cows and dolphins are susceptible. On the other hand, aspergillosis is a major cause of mortality in birds. This paper provides an overview of the manifestations of this disease in these animals. Treatment options are still lacking, but the increased incidence of the disease in humans has led to increased study, which may benefit both human and veterinary medicine.
Genetic variation of Polish endangered Biłgoraj horses and two common horse breeds in microsatellite loci. Genetic variation of endangered Biłgoraj horses and two common Polish horse breeds was compared with the use of 12 microsatellite loci (AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG6, HTG7, HTG10, VHL20). Lower allelic diversity was detected in all investigated populations in comparison to other studies. Large differences in the frequencies of microsatellite alleles between Biłgoraj horses and two other horse breeds were discovered. In all polymorphic loci all investigated breeds were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Mean Fis values and the results of a test for the presence of a rec...
Comparative morphological study on the tongue and lingual papillae of horses (Perissodactyla) and selected ruminantia (Artiodactyla). A common characteristic of horses, Rocky Mountain goats, and cattle is that they all have a well developed lingual prominence on the dorsal surface of the posterior area of the tongue. Foliate papillae were found in the horse studied but not in the goat or in cattle. The horse filiform papillae had a long and slender external form with a thin and slender CTC, while in the goat and cattle the external form consisted of a large thick main process and the CTC consisted of a bundle of numerous rod-shaped protrusions. The special papilla found on the lingual prominence resembled larger filiform-lik...
Amides as cryoprotectants for freezing stallion semen: a review. Stallion semen cryopreservation, despite its impact on the horse industry, is not an established technology. During the last years, a number of modifications have been proposed to the freezing process, however, a large population of stallions still have poor semen quality and fertility after frozen-thawed. Glycerol toxicity could be a reason for the variation on stallion sperm freezability. There are limited publications concerning the use of alternative cryoprotectants for equine sperm. Glycerol is contraceptive for some species and other cryoprotectors, such as amides, have been show to be a...
IgA Fc receptors in cattle and horses. The biological role of IgA depends, at least partly, on the interaction with specific receptors (FcalphaRs) on the surface of leukocytes. The human FcalphaR, CD89, was the first IgA Fc receptor to be identified, and binding of IgA-coated particles to CD89 triggers numerous cellular effector functions including phagocytosis, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and release of inflammatory mediators. Recently, CD89 orthologs have been identified in a number of other species, including cows and horses. This brief review will summarize our current knowledge regarding the structure...
[The issue of continuity in ancient horse medicine: the treatment of diseases of the extremities described in the Kităb al-furŭsĭya wa-l-baytara by Muhammad ibn Ya’qŭb ibn ahĭ Hizăm al-Huttulĭ]. Since the late 9th century, scientific literature in Arabian language, based on the translation and compilation of works of the Classical, Persian and Indian culture considerably increased. This also applies to the field of veterinary medicine, as is illustrated by a number of hippological and hippiatric treatises. Affinities between texts on horse medicine in Antiquity and in Arabian literature have been mentioned by philologists, but the degree of dependence on classical texts could not be verified due to the lack of translations of the Arabian texts. In this respect, the oldest available te...
Equine FISH mapping of 36 genes known to locate on human chromosome ends. The INRA and the CHORI-241 horse BAC libraries were screened by hybridization with DNA probes and/or directly by PCR with primers designed in consensus sequences of genes localized at the end of each human chromosome. BAC clones were retrieved and 36 could be FISH mapped after the expected gene was confirmed in each BAC by sequencing. Our results show that 16 BACs can be considered to be at telomeric or centromeric positions in the horse and 15 were found at the boundary of actually defined conserved segments even-though often located within conserved syntenic fragments between horse and human...
International Equine Gene Mapping Workshop Report: a comprehensive linkage map constructed with data from new markers and by merging four mapping resources. A comprehensive male linkage map was generated by adding 359 new, informative microsatellites to the International Equine Gene Map half-sibling reference families and by combining genotype data from three independent mapping resources: a full sibling family created at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, United Kingdom, eight half-sibling families from Sweden and two half-sibling families from the University of California, Davis. Because the combined data were derived primarily from half-sibling families, only autosomal markers were analyzed. The map was constructed from a total of 766 marker...
Estimation of genetic parameters for the prevalence of osseous fragments in limb joints of Hanoverian Warmblood horses. Genetic parameters were estimated for the prevalence of osseous fragments in distal (DIJ) and proximal interphalangeal (PIJ), fetlock (FJ) and hock joints (HJ) of Hanoverian Warmblood horses by using residual maximum likelihood (REML) with linear animal models. The analyses were based on the results of 10 standardized radiographs of all four limbs of 3725 young riding horses selected for sale at auction. Transformation factors onto the underlying liability scale were verified by a simulation study. The heritability estimates of osseous fragments on the liability scale were in the range of h2 =...
Capacitation, acrosome function and chromatin structure in stallion sperm. In general, fertility in breeding stallions is lower and more variable than in the other farm animal species, primarily because selection is based on pedigree, looks and/or athletic performance, with little consideration of fertility or fertility potential. Moreover, because the average stallion breeds only a limited number of mares per year and in-field fertility is influenced significantly by non-stallion factors such as management and mare fertility, meaningful fertility data are hard to come-by. Unfortunately, generating usable figures would involve impractically high costs, time and numbe...
[EIAV (equine infectious anemia virus): to better understand the lentiviral pathogenesis]. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a lentivirus related to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). EIAV causes a persistent infection characterized by recurring febrile episodes associating viremia, fever and thrombocytopenia. Despite a rapid virus replication and antigenic variation, most animals progress from a chronic stage characterized by recurring peaks of viremia and fever to an asymptomatic stage of infection. The understanding of the correlates of this immune control is of great interest in defining vaccine strategies. Research on EIAV over the last five decades has produced some in...
