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Topic:Animal Study
Animal studies involving horses encompass a wide range of research activities aimed at understanding various aspects of equine biology, behavior, health, and management. These studies can include investigations into equine physiology, nutrition, reproduction, and disease processes. Research often involves controlled experiments or observational studies to gather data on how horses respond to different interventions, environments, or management practices. This topic includes peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, findings, and implications of animal studies in equine science, contributing to the broader understanding of horse welfare and management.
Effects of BCAA supplementation on plasma and mare’s milk amino acid contents in Yili mares and growth performance of suckling foals. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) play a crucial role in regulating nutritional metabolism in lactating animals. However, limited research has been conducted on BCAAs in equines. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of BCAA supplementation on plasma and milk amino acid profiles in Yili mares, as well as the growth performance of their suckling foals, thereby providing a scientific basis for optimizing feeding management practices. Eighteen pairs of Yili mares and their sucklings were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group (Group D, no BCAA supplementation)...
Substrate stiffness modifies gene expression and transcriptional response of equine endometrial fibroblasts to TGF-β1. Equine endometrial fibrosis is a leading cause of subfertility in aging mares. Fibrosis is a reparative response involving excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and increasing tissue stiffness. Augmented rigidity itself can drive fibrosis, by stimulating transition from fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts release latent transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) from the ECM, thereby activating this profibrotic cytokine. Tissue culture polystyrene (TCP) is commonly used for in vitro experiments. The endometrium, however, is considerably softer than TCP. This study critical...
Enteral immunization with live bacteria reprograms innate immune cells and protects neonatal foals from pneumonia. Using a horse foal model, we show that enteral immunization of newborn foals with Rhodococcus equi overcomes neonatal vaccination challenges by reprogramming innate immune responses, inducing R. equi-specific adaptive humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and protecting foals against experimental pneumonia challenge. Foals were immunized twice via gavage of R. equi (immunized group) or saline (control group) at ages 1 and 3 days. At age 28 days, all foals were challenged intrabronchially with R. equi. Post-challenge, all 5 immunized foals remained healthy, whereas 67% (4/6) of control foa...
The proteomic differences and expression of fatty acid-binding protein 6 (FABP6) associated with gastrointestinal injury in horses with oral administration of a clinical dose of phenylbutazone. Phenylbutazone (PBZ) can potentially induce gastrointestinal ulceration, and early detection of PBZ-induced gastroenteropathy will be useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PBZ toxicity. Objective: To identify putative proteins associated with equine gastric ulcer syndrome after clinical dose (4.4 mg/kg) administration of PBZ by proteomic study. Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Proteomic analysis using LC-MS/MS compared protein expression in serum and faeces of seven PBZ-treated horses with seven placebo-treated controls, and a novel putative biomarker was validated via...
Short-Term Impact of Dry Needling Treatment for Myofascial Pain on Equine Biomechanics Through Artificial Intelligence-Based Gait Analysis. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common source of musculoskeletal pain, characterized by trigger points (TrPs). In horses, MPS is frequently underdiagnosed, and evidence on DN effectiveness is limited. This study investigated whether DN can improve the biomechanics in horses using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based markerless smartphone application (app). Fourteen horses participated, including nine used in assisted therapy, four leisure horses, and one with mixed use. The presence of TrPs was evaluated in six muscles through manual palpation: brachiocephalicus, trapezius, gluteus medius...
Emotional contagion of fear and joy from humans to horses using a combination of facial and vocal cues. Emotional contagion, the emotional state-matching of two individuals, has been documented in various species. Recent findings suggest emotional contagion could also take place between humans and domestic mammals. However, the range of targeted animal species and human emotions that have been studied is still limited, and the methodology to investigate emotional contagion in this context is not fully established. This study examined emotional contagion of fear and joy from humans to horses by measuring physiological (heart rate, infrared thermography) and behavioral responses (posture, laterali...
Assessing thermal changes in the equine thoracolumbar region following different capacitive-resistive electrical transfer protocols. Capacitive-resistive electrical transfer (CRET) is an endogenous non-invasive technique, used as deep diathermy. We pursue to analyze the temperature changes by applying different CRET protocols in the thoracolumbar spine of horses, between thoracic vertebrae 15 and lumbar 2. Unassigned: Ten clinically sound horses without thoracolumbar pain underwent various CRET protocols applied to a standardized thoracolumbar region (T15-L2). The protocols included sham (device off), low intensity (LIP, 5%), medium intensity (MIP, 30%), and high intensity (HIP, 40%). The HIP protocol was further divided in...
Auditory enrichment on facial and physiological responses of Pantaneiro geldings and mares under short-term stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of auditory stimuli on mares and geldings during social isolation and movement restriction, and their ability to promote the reduction of stress responses. The research was conducted with eight Pantaneiro horses, divided into Experiment I (4 mares) and Experiment II (4 geldings), both experiments were executed equally using a 4x4 Latin square design with experimental (classical, country and new age) and control (no music) treatments. Physiological parameters (heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, ocular temperature by infrared thermograph...
Doping Control of Ranitidine in Horses. Ranitidine is a histamine H-receptor antagonist commonly used to treat gastric ulceration in horses. The author's laboratory conducted a study some years ago in the early 2000s on its metabolism as well as its urinary elimination profile in two geldings. With the technology advancement as well as popularity of blood for doping control testing, the laboratory has recently conducted another administration trials of the substance in six horses to study the in vivo metabolism of ranitidine, aiming to identify and reinvestigate the appropriate target(s) for controlling misuse of ranitidine in hors...
Evaluation of an intra-articular carboxymethylcellulose crosslinked hydrogel in horses with osteoarthritis. Numerous treatment strategies have been proposed to manage osteoarthritis (OA) in sport horses. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), is used in veterinary medicine for various purposes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a CMC hydrogel in reducing clinical lameness in horses with OA affecting joint. The hypothesis was that intra-articular CMC would produce a sustained reduction in lameness compared to a control treatment. Methods: Thirty client-owned horses diagnosed with OA-related lameness in the metacarpophalangeal joint were enrolled. Horses were randomly assigned to two groups...
Transcriptomic responses of equine skeletal muscle to acute exercise in a hot environment. While exercise performance deteriorates in hot environments, heat stress may contribute to exercise-induced adaptations in skeletal muscle. In this study, we assessed transcriptional profiles of equine skeletal muscle following 3 min of high-intensity exercise (at the speed eliciting their maximal oxygen uptake) in cool [wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) 15°C] or hot (WBGT 30°C) conditions. Differential gene expression was identified using DESeq2 (false discovery rate cutoff: 0.05, minimal fold change: 1.5). At 4 h after exercise, RNA-seq identified 176 and 156 genes that were differentially...
The Suitability of Dried Blood Spot Sampling for Pharmacokinetic Studies in Veterinary Medicine. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has emerged as a promising microsampling technique in biomedical and clinical research, offering advantages such as reduced invasiveness, minimal blood volume requirements, and enhanced analyte stability. Although well established in human medicine for neonatal screening and diagnostic applications, its potential in veterinary pharmacology remains underexplored. This study investigated the feasibility of using DBS samples to quantify anesthetic agents-ketamine and medetomidine in cats and lidocaine in horses-during routine surgical procedures at a veterinary tea...
Ventriculophasic response in a horse with atrioventricular block. Ventriculophasic response (VR) in atrioventricular nodal (AVN) block is characterized by a shortening of the sinoatrial cycle length when a QRS complex is interposed between two P waves. This has been well documented in humans and dogs with AVN blocks but not in horses. Herein, we describe a horse with second-degree AVN blocks and constant PR intervals that exhibited 5:3 conduction and suspected VR at rest but less consistently after submaximal exercise. Proposed VR mechanisms include (1) inhibition of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex from reduced end-systolic volume during ventricular contraction; (...
Heterogeneity of ultrasonic wave properties in ex vivo cortical bone of racehorse. Despite the prevalence of lower limb disease in racehorses, outdoor bone evaluation equipment is lacking. Consequently, a secure and cost-effective field screening system for bones is required to identify early-stage leg illness. Elastic stiffness cannot be measured using x-ray techniques and is closely associated with bone quality, which is recognized as a significant determinant of fracture risk. Quantitative ultrasound has garnered attention as a viable option, offering insights into elastic stiffness. Understanding the characteristic behaviors of ultrasonic wave properties (velocity, atten...
Comparison of RNA- and DNA-based 16S amplicon sequencing to find the optimal approach for the analysis of the uterine microbiome. Studies in humans and large animals indicate a relationship between the uterine microbiome composition and endometrial receptivity. Despite many studies have been performed, the analysis of the uterine microbiome remains challenging due to the very low microbial biomass. Studies in other biological systems showed that RNA-based microbiome analysis complements DNA-based results and provides information about active bacteria in a sample. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish a highly sensitive and specific 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 amplicon PCR from equine uterine cytobrush samples and to compa...
Thermal Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on the Temporomandibular Joint Area in Clinically Healthy Racehorses-A Pilot Study. The aim of the present study was to assess the thermal effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area of clinically healthy Thoroughbred racehorses. The study was conducted on 21 clinically healthy Thoroughbreds in regular training. The horses were subjected to thermographic examinations before and immediately after a HILT session to measure changes in the body surface temperature in the TMJ area. The left TMJ was subjected to therapy, while the contralateral joint served as a control. Statistically significant differences in the body surface temperatu...
Adaptation strategies of Icelandic horses with induced transient hindlimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Icelandic horses are valued for their additional gaits, but assessing lameness in this breed can be challenging. Pelvic (P) vertical movement asymmetries, differences (D) in minimum (min)/maximum (max) position, are used to quantify impact (PDmin) and push-off (PDmax) hindlimb lameness during the trot, but no established parameters exist for detecting hindlimb lameness in other gaits. Objective: To evaluate temporal stride parameters and upper-body movement asymmetry after transient hindlimb lameness induction in walk, trot and tölt. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Eleven Icelandic hors...
Accuracy of computer-assisted drilling of equine cervical vertebral bodies using a purpose-built cervical frame-An experimental cadaveric study. To assess the accuracy of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) of equine cervical vertebrae using a purpose-built cervical frame (CF) for neck stabilization. Methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Methods: Six whole fresh equine cadavers. Methods: Cadavers were positioned in dorsal recumbency with the neck extended within the CF. A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based surgical navigation system with optical tracking was used. A ventral approach exposed cervical vertebrae C3-C5. In each cadaver, 12 drill corridors were prepared with the patient tracker on the CF (position CF), followed by 12 c...
Treatment outcomes for equine osteoarthritis with mesenchymal stromal cells and hyaluronic acid. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are widely used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Optimising dose, timing, and safety while comparing efficacy with standard therapies like hyaluronic acid (HA) is essential for their standardisation. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of equine umbilical cord-derived (eCB) MSCs in client-owned horses with fetlock or carpus OA. Methods: Prospective single-blinded randomised clinical study. Methods: Horses diagnosed with fetlock or carpus OA via intra-articular (IA) anaesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either 10 or 20 million eCB-MSCs in HA or 3...
Volume kinetics of lactated Ringer’s solution in adult horses. Fluid therapy in horses is primarily empirical. Evidence-based quantification of the disposition of intravenous (IV) crystalloids used in clinical practice could enhance the effectiveness of fluid therapy. Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics (i.e., volume kinetics: VK) and associated haemodynamic effects of IV lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) in adult euvolemic horses. Methods: Unmasked multiple subjects, single baseline design. Methods: Thirteen healthy, euvolemic adult female horses were administered an IV bolus of LRS and monitored over 4 h. Haemoglobin, albumin and haematocrit c...
Diagnostic performance of ultrasonography, bursography and standing magnetic resonance to detect navicular intrabursal pathology in horses with foot pain. Navicular intrabursal pathology (NIP) is a common cause of forelimb lameness in horses. An accurate diagnosis of which structure is involved is essential for therapy and prognosis. Objective: The study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography, bursography and standing magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging as diagnostic tools of the proximal NIP using bursoscopy as the gold standard. Methods: Prospective blinded study. Methods: A total of 21 feet from 17 horses were included. The feet underwent ultrasonography, followed by MRI, and thereafter bursography and bursoscopy. The i...
Lameness improvement in horses with distal tarsal pain after intra-articular injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A. To evaluate the effect of IA injections of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in horses with chronic, naturally occurring distal tarsal osteoarthritis. Unassigned: 9 horses were selected after physical and radiographic assessments. Horses also underwent an objective lameness examination and were included if they had a hindlimb impact lameness (Pmin ≥ 3 mm), which positively responded (≥ 50%) to the tarsometatarsal and centrodistal joints' anesthetic block. Horses randomly received an intra-articular injection of BoNT-A or an equivalent volume of saline solution. Horses were reevaluated at pos...
Exploring the impact of housing routine on lying behavior in horses measured with triaxial accelerometer. Methods to assess the positive behavior of horses in relation to their environment can be used to provide information to enhance animal welfare. One of the most important experiences that can be observed in mammals is sleep, a universal behavior relevant for the welfare of all species. To achieve paradoxical sleep, horses must lie down in lateral recumbency for a sufficient time, but they only do so when feeling safe and comfortable. Recently, technological tools like accelerometers have opened the possibility of non-invasive continuous monitoring of lying behavior, thus implementing the way w...
An Ex Vivo Comparison of Stainless Steel Cables to a Non-metallic Polymer Cerclage Cable in an Equine Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Model. The aim of this study was to compare the monotonic tensile strength and fatigue strength of a stainless steel cable (SSC) compared to a human non-metallic polymer cable (NMPC) in an metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis model lacking a dorsal plate application.An experimental biomechanical equine cadaver limb study. Ten metacarpophalangeal joints were collected from five adult Thoroughbred horses, euthanatized for reasons unrelated to orthopaedic disease. Each pair of metacarpophalangeal joints was randomly instrumented with either a 1.7-mm SSC or a NMPC. Each construct was tested in cyclic ...
Synovial fluid alpha-2-macroglobulin, gelsolin and lubricin distinguish between osteoarthritic and healthy equine joints. Synovial fluid (SF) is an ideal sentinel fluid for osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis and prognostication due to its critical homeostatic role, proximity to articular tissues and immune cell composition. Untargeted proteomics enable identification of soluble markers for diagnostic and therapeutic applications while minimising bias. Objective: To use liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to define the SF proteome in horses with and without carpal OA. The goal was to identify differentially regulated proteins in mild-moderate carpal joint disease compared with healthy joints. Meth...
The Effect of Filtering on Signal Features of Equine sEMG Collected During Overground Locomotion in Basic Gaits. In equine surface electromyography (sEMG), challenges related to the reliability and interpretability of data arise, among other factors, from methodological differences, including signal processing and analysis. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the filtering-induced changes in basic signal features in relation to the balance between signal loss and noise attenuation. Raw sEMG signals were collected from the quadriceps muscle of six horses during walk, trot, and canter and then filtered using eight filtering methods with varying cut-off frequencies (low-pass at 10 Hz, high-pass at 20 Hz...
Safety of a feed additive consisting of Duddingtonia flagransNCIMB 30336 (BioWorma®) for all grazing animals (International Animal Health Products Pty Ltd). Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of a feed additive consisting of NCIMB 30336 (BioWorma®) for all grazing animals other than dairy bovines, ovines and caprines (namely, grazing animals from the following species: pigs (all categories), rabbits (all categories), horses (all categories) and calves/kids of species in the family Cervidae (deer, etc.) and Camelidae (alpacas, etc)). The safety and efficacy of the additive have already been assessed...
Physiological and Metabolic Responses of Mongolian Horses to a 20 km Endurance Exercise and Screening for New Oxidative-Imbalance Biomarkers. The traditional horse industry has undergone a remarkable evolution, with horse racing emerging as a prominent and pivotal economic driver within the sector. Among the various breeds, Mongolian horses, renowned for their exceptional endurance and speed, occupy a significant position in the horse industry. To investigate their homeostasis mechanisms during and after a 20 km endurance exercise and identify novel oxidative-imbalance markers, we selected 12 two-year-old horses and collected blood samples at various time points before, during (at 5, 10, 15, and 20 km), and after the exercise (at 1,...
An Observational Study of Wood-Chewing in Mares and Their Foals Kept in Fenced Outdoor Paddocks with Variable Browsing Access. The natural behaviour of wood-chewing (WC) in horses may, under certain conditions, become excessive or it may precede crib-biting . However, the potential causes of WC, including frustrated foraging motivation) or developmental exploratory or teething behavior are poorly understood. We studied WC in 31 mares and their foals, examining associations with browsing access, stocking density, foal sex and performance of other non-nutritive oral behaviors. Behaviors (counts/hour) were recorded by all-occurrences sampling during focal, continuous observations of grazing,resting and suckling for 20 ...
Changes in measurable ultrasonographic parameters in growing Arabian foals from birth to 1 year. Utrasonographic measurements of the abdominal viscera and the heart in growing Arabian foals have not been described. Objective: To establish normal intervals for ultrasonographic measurements of cardiac indices and abdominal viscera in growing Arabian foals from birth to 1 year of age. Methods: Prospective longitudinal descriptive study. Methods: Ultrasonographic images were captured from 15 foals every 3 months from 1 week to 1 year of age. During each examination, at least three images were obtained at each location and measurements were obtained using standardised ultrasonographic approa...
