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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.
The effect of dynamic mobilization exercises and therapeutic trunk exercises on superficial epaxial and hypaxial muscle activity in horses. Equine back rehabilitation commonly integrates dynamic mobilization exercises (DME), including DME to the chest (DMEChest) and DME to the hip (DMEHip), and therapeutic trunk (TTE) exercises, including pelvic rounding (Rounding), and lateral tail pulls (LatTail). However, limited evidence supports their use for selectively activating trunk muscles. Objective: To quantify and compare superficial epaxial and hypaxial muscle activity during selected DMEs and TTEs using surface electromyography (sEMG). Increased muscle activity was hypothesized across exercises, specifically in external abdominal o...
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis of the Skeletal Muscle Revealed the Effects and Mechanism of Mulberry Leaf Flavonoids on Alleviating Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Mongolian Horses. The scientific evidence regarding the use of plant-derived extracts to alleviate exercise-induced muscle damage in horses remains limited. Mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs) are the primary bioactive constituents of a traditional medicinal plant and are potent antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of MLFs against exercise-induced muscle damage. In this study, twelve Mongolian horses were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design to investigate the protective effects of MLFs. Our results showed that high-intensity exercise negatively impacted the immune status, m...
Short-Term Daily Oral Administration of Cannabidiol Does Not Impact Rebound Tonometry Intraocular Pressure or Schirmer Tear Test Values in Healthy Adult Horses. To assess the effect of orally administered cannabidiol (CBD) on TonoVet measured intraocular pressure (IOP) and Schirmer tear test I (STT) in horses. Methods: Horse. Methods: This was a masked, randomized, balanced cross-over study of six healthy adult horses. Horses were randomly assigned and received 3 mg/kg CBD in sesame oil or volume matched placebo by mouth once daily for three days. Baseline and daily 4-, 12-, and 24-h post treatment IOPs were measured in triplicate without sedation or eyelid akinesia. Baseline and 24-h post final (day 3) treatment STTs were measured without sedation ...
Proteomic signatures of equine dental tooth tissues in ageing and disease. Ageing and dental disease in horses lead to structural and functional deterioration of dental tissues, yet their molecular signatures remain poorly characterised. Understanding how these processes alter the protein composition of enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp is essential for improving equine oral health and identifying biomarkers of degeneration. Objective: To characterise the proteomic profiles of equine dental tissues and determine age- and disease-associated changes, with the aim of identifying proteins consistently altered across conditions. Methods: Ex vivo proteomic study. Methods: ...
Metabolic effects and pharmacokinetics of oral cannabidiol (CBD) in Connemara ponies following 21 days of treatment. Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained interest in equine medicine due to its potential therapeutic effects. Preclinical studies suggest that CBD may influence metabolic pathways relevant to metabolic syndrome, which present in both human and equine populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral CBD on metabolic parameters in Connemara ponies and to characterize its pharmacokinetics. Unassigned: A total of 13 Connemara ponies [seven with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)] were stratified by EMS status and age and randomly assigned to a CBD-treated group (2 mg/kg orally, twice dai...
Novel imaging protocol enables myelography of the cervical vertebral column using computed tomography with flexion and extension comparable to x-ray. Radiographic myelography is the traditional diagnostic method for detecting cervical spinal cord compression in horses but it is limited by superimposition and restriction to sagittal plane imaging. Computed tomography (CT) and CT myelography overcome many of these limitations yet previous CT protocols have not allowed dynamic imaging in flexion and extension comparable to radiographs. Objective: To describe and evaluate a novel CT myelography protocol that enables imaging of the equine cervical vertebral column (C to C/T) in flexion, neutral, and extension, and to compare intervertebral angle...
Evaluating hormonal levels in plasma and saliva as temperament indicators in horses. Assessing the temperament of horses is important to ensure their welfare, management, and safety. This study evaluated the plasma-saliva relationships for cortisol, oxytocin, and serotonin, and explored their associations with temperament traits in 40 horses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Significant correlations were observed between cortisol (r = 0.441) and oxytocin (r = 0.587) concentrations, whereas serotonin showed a weak correlation (r = 0.133). Bland-Altman analysis revealed acceptable agreement for cortisol but substantial individual variability for oxytocin, despite its str...
High frequency and high genetic diversity of Pneumocystis sp. in foals. Twenty-two foals, aged one to seven months, which died from interstitial pneumonia (15 foals) or unrelated illnesses and injuries (7 foals), were enrolled in this study. Sampling of the lungs was performed post-mortem for a total of 52 specimens. Pneumocystis was detected in 21/22 foals (48/52 specimens) using a PCR assay targeting the gene encoding the small subunit of the mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSUrRNA) of the horse-related Pneumocystis (Pneumocystis sp. 'Equus ferus caballus'). The sequencing of the PCR products was successful in 34/48 specimens. The sequences were identical to the horse-rel...
Mitochondrial dysfunction in equine ageing: Current evidence and clinical implications for geroscience. Ageing is a complex biological process affecting a growing geriatric human and equine population worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered one of the hallmarks of ageing, representing a multifaceted process. This review synthesises current findings on mitochondrial dysfunction in aged equines, drawing parallels with human medicine and identifying current knowledge gaps. Integrating findings from human and equine research may bridge existing challenges and offer new opportunities, including the development of novel translational models for ageing research. Furthermore, it highlights th...
Owner-Reported Cohort Study of Causes, Management and Outcome of Traumatic Wounds in 219 Horses. Current evidence on traumatic equine wounds are predominantly from expert opinion reviews or referral hospital studies. This study aimed to describe the owner-reported causes, management and outcome of equine wounds. An owner-reported cohort approach was used. Owners of horses with recent traumatic wounds were recruited through snowball sampling. Data were collected from initial injury to final healing and outcome, including horse demographics, wound cause and location, owner- and veterinary-administered treatment, and outcome. Descriptive statistics included frequency percentages (%, x/y) and...
Vaginal host-microbe signatures linked to placental outcomes in mares. Ascending placentitis is a leading cause of late-term pregnancy loss in mares. Although pathogens are presumed to ascend from the caudal reproductive tract, the association between the vaginal microbiome and placentitis has not been systematically examined. Objective: To characterise microbial and host gene expression in the equine vagina during gestation and to identify taxa or transcripts that were associated with the presence of an abnormal placenta at birth. Methods: Prospective, paired observational study. Methods: Vaginal wall swabs were collected from 49 multiparous Thoroughbred mares a...
Short-term clinical responses in horses and ponies treated with canagliflozin: A clinical field study. Treatment with the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses has shown promising results in randomised clinical trials. Larger field studies are needed to further evaluate treatment responses and potential adverse effects under real-world conditions. Objective: To assess the short-term effects of canagliflozin on postprandial glucose and insulin responses in client-owned horses and ponies with ID using a single-sample feed-challenge test (FCT), and to characterise treatment-associated changes in bodyweight, liver enzyme activities, and ...
[Retrospective evaluation of equine blood cultures sampled between 2022 and 2024]. In this study, the results of equine blood cultures sampled during the period from 2022 to 2024 were evaluated. Samples were submitted as routine samples by veterinary practices to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Germany. The study focused mainly on the differentiation of the bacterial isolates. In order to place the results in a clinical context, the study was complemented by a questionnaire sent to the practices enquiring for sepsis-associated clinical signs. Unassigned: The study was carried out retrospectively. A total of 199 blood culture samples submitted by practices located in Ge...
A novel flowable calcium silicate cement for endodontic therapy in equine teeth. Equine endodontic treatment for apical infections is performed infrequently due to anatomical and accessibility challenges of equine cheek teeth. However, the alternative of extraction is not without risk and lifelong implications for the horse. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a calcium silicate cement (CSC), has been used successfully in human dentistry for decades. MTA and other CSCs demonstrate excellent biocompatibility with favourable antimicrobial and physicochemical properties. These characteristics may support their application as an alternative filling material when used in equine e...
Sensitive and selective quantification of elcatonin in equine plasma and urine using LC-FAIMS-MS/MS. The use of drugs for enhancing bone strength is prohibited under international regulations governing horse racing and equestrian sports. Elcatonin, a synthetic peptide with analgesic and bone-strengthening properties, is routinely monitored for compliance. However, its cyclic structure and high molecular weight hinder reliable detection. In this study, we developed and validated a sensitive liquid chromatography-high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying elcatonin in equine plasma and urine. Sample preparation was optimised via weak...
The Effects of Boron Mineral on Performance, Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Purebred Arabian Foals. Boron plays significant roles in various biological systems, including mineral, lipid, and energy metabolism, immune and endocrine systems, and brain function. It has been suggested to enhance performance and may prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and arthritis. Despite these known benefits, its effects on growth performance and mineral metabolism in horses remain understudied, particularly in young animals like Purebred Arabian foals. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of boron supplementation (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/day ...
Inter-individual variability in equine antibody responses to African snake venoms follows heavy-tailed distributions with implications for antivenom production. Variability in the antibody response of horses used for snake antivenom manufacture is well recognized, yet its statistical structure and implications for industrial productivity remain poorly characterized. In this study, we quantified antivenom antibody titers by ELISA in a cohort of 14 horses immunized with venoms from the clinically most important snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. To integrate antibody levels with plasma availability, we calculated the Cumulative Plasma Productivity (CPP) by converting individual plasma volumes into titer-corrected equivalents and sequentially pooling these vo...
Quantitative evaluation of behavioral and physiological adaptation during retraining of retired Thoroughbred racehorses. Retired Thoroughbred racehorses commonly transition into riding roles, yet outward behavioral calmness may not fully reflect internal physiological regulation, with implications for safety. Objective: To quantify behavioral and autonomic adaptation across repeated startle exposures and assess concordance between behavioral and physiological indicators. Methods: Twelve retired Thoroughbreds underwent standardized plastic-bag startle trials conducted across three sessions (T1-T3), each including pre-training (Before) and post-training (After) phases, with three repeated exposures at 5-minute int...
Oral docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters alveolar macrophage metabolism and protein and lipid profiles in the lower airway of healthy horses. To determine the impact of a commercially available docosahexaeonic acid (DHA) supplement (DHA, methylslfonylmethane, and mushroom blend) on equine alveolar macrophage metabolism and lipid and protein profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant. Unassigned: This was a prospective, sequential, placebo-controlled study using 10 healthy adult horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected at baseline, following 45 days of oral placebo administration, and following 45 days of oral commercially available DHA supplement, with a 14-day washout. Whole blood was collected following placebo...
Feasibility study of microbubble enhanced echocardiography in normal horses. Intrapulmonary shunting, a contributor to hypoxemia in both anesthetized and spontaneously breathing horses, may occur in association with pulmonary disease, general inhalation anesthesia, or systemic inflammation. In human medicine, transthoracic microbubble-enhanced echocardiography is a widely used method to detect intrapulmonary right-to-left shunting, especially in hepatopulmonary syndrome. This study aimed to adapt and evaluate the feasibility of this technique in horses, laying the groundwork for future clinical applications. Twelve healthy horses underwent two treatments: (1) infusion ...
The effect of form on equine salt intake. Sodium and chloride are required nutrients and are typically met using sodium chloride (salt) via compressed blocks. The objective of this study was to compare salt intake using block or loose salt. Sixteen mature horses were blocked by housing style and assigned to block salt or loose salt (form) for four 7-day periods. Salt intake was measured by weight at the end of each period and was not affected by form (P = 0.070) or period (P = 0.902). There was an effect of horse (P < 0.001). Horses consumed between 2 and 135 g of salt daily, however; over half of the horses in the study di...
Influence of Housing and Fecal Egg Count on Cytokine Profiles (IL-4 and IL-13) in Equines. Strongyles are parasitic roundworms that cause significant gastrointestinal infections in equines, primarily through contact with infected soil. Worldwide, strongylosis affects nearly 90% of horse populations. Objective: The objectives of our study were to determine if there was a relationship between fecal egg count (FEC) and housing types on interleukin IL-4 and IL-13. Methods: Horses (N=25) were separated into two groups based on housing conditions: pasture (housed on pasture 24/7; PS, N=13) and semi-intensive (housed in stalls with turnout overnight; SI, N=12). Within each housing group, t...
Pharmacokinetics of Ertugliflozin, a Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitor (SGLT2i) in Horses After Enteral Administration. Ertugliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor that has demonstrated promise as a treatment for hyperinsulinaemia in horses. Despite the frequent use of ertugliflozin in equine clinical practice, the pharmacokinetics of this drug in horses has not been established. The aim of the present study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of one supratherapeutic dose (0.25 mg/kg) of ertugliflozin in eight horses. Horses were defined as being healthy by physical examination, haematological, blood biochemical and oral sugar test (OST) results. Plasma concentrations of ertugliflozin were qu...
miRNA Sequencing and Differential Analysis of Testis in 1-Year-Old and 2-Year-Old Kazakh Horses. The represents a significant genetic resource within China's population, characterized by notable resilience and an ability to thrive on coarse forage. Nevertheless, a decline in its numbers has been observed recently, making the improvement of its reproductive performance crucial for the preservation of this breed and the advancement of the related industry. In this study, testicular tissues from 1-year-old (pre-pubertal) and 2-year-old (post-pubertal) were analyzed. miRNA sequencing was conducted on tissues from these age groups, followed by bioinformatics analyses to elucidate the functi...
Clodronate disodium reduced TRAP5b independent of affecting other systemic biomarkers of bone resorption or formation in yearling, exercising Quarter Horses. Clodronate disodium (CD), a bisphosphonate, modulates bone metabolism. Though extra-label use in juvenile horses is anecdotally reported, impacts on skeletal development are unknown. The objective was to determine the effects of CD on systemic markers of bone turnover in yearling horses undergoing exercise, hypothesizing that biomarkers of bone resorption would decrease while biomarkers of bone formation would not change, and that repeat CD treatments would have greater effect. To test this, 32 yearling Quarter Horses were used in a 168-d trial. Horses were stratified by age (500 ± 13 d),...
Clinical and Biochemical Effects of Intra-Articular Autologous Conditioned Serum and Triamcinolone in an Equine Model of Synovitis. Synovitis is a key contributor to the development of OA, and early modulation of the synovial environment may help limit downstream cartilage damage. This study compared the clinical and biochemical effects of intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and autologous conditioned serum (ACS) in an equine model of IL-1β-induced synovitis. Six healthy adult horses were used in a crossover design involving five groups: PBS (negative control), IL-1β (positive control), IL-1β + ACS, IL-1β + TA, and an exploratory ACS-alone group administered post hoc to isolate its effects without IL-1β inter...
Comparative analysis of mRNA and circRNA expression profiles and interaction networks in testicular tissues of Mongolian horses before and after sexual maturity. Mongolian horses, celebrated for their resilience and adaptability, undergo marked physiological transformations during sexual maturation. This study employed whole-transcriptome sequencing to conduct a comparative analysis of mRNA and circular RNA (circRNA) expression profiles, along with their interactive regulatory networks, in testicular tissues of Mongolian horses pre- and post-sexual maturity. Histological examinations using hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.) and 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining revealed distinct morphological differences between sexually immature and mature testicu...
Validation of a stall-side immunoglobulin assay for use in equine reproductive management. Equine foals receive IgG from mare colostrum through passive transfer. Failure of passive transfer (FPT) is a significant risk to the foal's life, leaving them vulnerable to infection and sepsis. Radial Immunodiffusion (RID) and immunoturbidimetric assays quantify IgG present in a foal sample but require a laboratory to complete. Accurate, reproducible, stall-side testing to rapidly quantify IgG would allow for expedited clinical decisions, with potential to improve equine foal care and survival. Objective: To evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of a stall-side IgG lateral-flow te...
Pasture Intake of Whole-Day Stocked Thoroughbred Foals With Growth. We investigated the changes in the forage and nutrient intake of thoroughbred foals on pastures with whole-day stocking with age. Twelve thoroughbred foals were used and were allowed to graze on a pasture for 21 h/day from June to September. All foals were weaned just before 5 months of age. The pasture intake of the foals was measured using the double-indicator method. During the suckling period, the total voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) of the pasture for foals was higher at 4 months (2.1 kgDM/day) than at 2 months (1.3 kgDM/day). However, VDMI of pastures per body weight (%BW) for foal...
