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Topic:Biomarkers
Biomarkers in horses are measurable indicators of biological processes, states, or conditions that can be used to assess health and disease. These biomarkers can be identified in various biological samples such as blood, urine, or tissue. They provide valuable information for diagnosing diseases, monitoring health status, and evaluating treatment responses in equine medicine. Common biomarkers in horses include enzymes, hormones, and metabolites, which may change in response to physiological or pathological conditions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the identification, quantification, and application of biomarkers in equine health and disease management.
Exploring the role of epigenetics in the processes related to the development of endometrosis in the mare. Endometrosis is a chronic degenerative condition of the mare endometrium characterized by progressive fibrosis and glandular alterations that impair uterine function and fertility. Its pathogenesis involves persistent inflammation, the activation of myofibroblasts, and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to disrupted glandular secretion and compromised maintenance of pregnancy. While histopathological studies of endometrosis are well described, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence highlights the crucial role of epigenetic reg...
Placental adaptation to maternal environment in domestic animals. The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) is based on the observation that environmental conditions during sensitive windows of development shape lifelong physiology and disease susceptibility. While fetal organs are often viewed as direct programming targets, the placenta is a crucial mechanistic hub because it senses maternal conditions and actively constructs the fetal environment through nutrient transport, endocrine signaling, and immune regulation. Placental plasticity spans morphology and how exchanges are favored by tissue topology, vascular development and perfusion, tra...
Synovial transcriptomic biomarkers predict structural severity in equine osteochondral fragment-induced experimental osteoarthritis. Develop a global joint score (GJS) reflecting equine osteoarthritis (OA) structural severity and identify clinical or molecular parameters predicting disease severity. Unassigned: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from horses (n = 104; 58 females and 46 geldings; 2 to 5 years old) undergoing experimental OA induction via surgical osteochondral fragment creation in the middle carpal joint and high-speed treadmill exercise over 70 days. Longitudinal measures included subjective lameness examinations (lameness, effusion, and flexion), synovial fluid (SF) and serum glycosaminoglyca...
Exploration of the relationship between laboratory stress parameters and leukocyte coping capacity in ponies exposed to repetitive handling during a research project. Stress is an umbrella term indicating increased allostatic load with the potential to reach a pathological state of the organism. In this context, cortisol concentration and neutrophil granulocytes-to-lymphocyte ratio (NEU: LYM) are expected to increase. On the functional pathway, stress reduces the oxidative burst capacity of neutrophils and therefore, the leucocyte coping capacity (LCC) quantifying this oxygen radical generation of neutrophils. Therefore, we hypothesized that in ponies subjected to repetitive handling, LCC will decrease and will be negatively correlated with cortisol concent...
Evaluation of oxidative stress in ill neonatal foals: a preliminary study. Oxidative stress both contributes to and results from sepsis pathophysiology, but its role in ill foals remains poorly characterized. Objective: Ill foals will exhibit decreased antioxidant defense activity and increased oxidative products compared with healthy foals, and these changes will be associated with higher sepsis scores, lower survival scores, and non-survival. Methods: Twenty-six foals < 14 days old: 16 hospitalized foals (11 sick non-septic, 5 septic; median age, 1.5 days; range 1-13) and 10 healthy Standardbred foals (2 days old). Nine of 16 ill foals survived to discharge...
Evaluation of a canine Coll2-1 ELISA kit for use in equine serum and its correlation with radiographic joint disease. This study evaluated an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Coll2-1, a peptide fragment of type II collagen released during cartilage degradation in horses using a kit originally developed for dogs. Objective: The objectives of this study were to: 1) assess the analytical applicability of the canine Coll2-1 ELISA in equine serum and 2) explore the correlations between Coll2-1 concentrations and radiographic scores of osteoarthritis (OA) in horses. Methods: Twelve Lusitano stallions, of similar age and workload but presenting different radiographic scores were include...
Serum adipokines are useful for predicting hyperinsulinemia secondary to corticosteroid treatment in horses. To evaluate pretreatment biomarkers for predicting the severity of corticosteroid-induced hyperinsulinemia. Unassigned: Oral glucose tests were performed before (day 1) and after (day 8) a dexamethasone course (0.08 mg/kg, q 48 h) in 24 healthy adult Standardbreds. Associations between day 8 oral glucose test insulin parameters (baseline [T0insulin], maximal [Cmaxinsulin], and area under the curve [AUCinsulin]) and day 1 serum markers (insulin, glucose, adiponectin, leptin, and their ratios) were examined using Spearman correlation, log-linked generalized linear models. Relative risk of exceed...
Single-dose intravenous α2-agonists do not acutely alter anti-inflammatory bioactive protein profiles but reduce interleukin-8 in equine autologous protein solution and platelet-rich plasma. Determine the acute effects of xylazine and detomidine on concentrations of selected growth factors, cytokines, and α2-macroglobulin (A2M) in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous protein solution (APS) and the long-term effects of these sedatives on serum A2M. We hypothesized that sedative administration would decrease concentrations of all bioactive proteins in PRP and APS acutely and A2M in serum for 6 days following sedative administration. Unassigned: 6 horses were randomized to receive IV xylazine (200 mg) or detomidine (10 mg). Blood was collected before and 5 minutes after sedativ...
Age-Related Comparative Study of C-Reactive Protein, Lipid Profile Biomarkers, and Strongyle Nematode Gastrointestinal Parasitic Burden in Horses. Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infection remains one of the most prevalent and economically significant health challenges in equine populations. The infective stages of GI parasites can activate systemic inflammatory responses and disrupt lipid metabolism leading to exacerbation of parasitic infection. Moreover, age-related low-grade chronic inflammation may further contribute to the persistent infection which impacts the health status of individual horses. Objective: This study examined serum levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profile parameters to identify ...
Estrous cycle-dependent changes in platelet indices in healthy mares. Platelets (PLTs) are key regulators of hemostasis, inflammation, and tissue remodeling, and their phenotype is known to fluctuate with sex steroid concentrations in several species. However, the influence of the estrous cycle on PLT characteristics in mares has not been investigated. We hypothesized that PLT indices vary between reproductive phases in association with changes in estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4). The aim of this study was to characterize PLT indices in estrus and diestrus and to determine how these hematological parameters relate to circulating E2 and P4 concentrations...
Physiological determinants of plasma biochemical parameters in horses: a structured review. The biochemical profile of horses is a cornerstone in equine clinical diagnostics, offering valuable insights into health status, disease progression, and physiological adaptation to internal and external stimuli. However, the interpretation of these biochemical parameters is far from straightforward, as they are subject to significant variation influenced by a range of physiological factors. Age, sex, breed, level of physical activity, nutritional condition, and reproductive status can all modulate baseline biochemical values, potentially leading to diagnostic inaccuracies if not properly con...
Comparative Analysis of Meat Quality and Flavor Among Four Categories of Mongolian Horses. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality and flavor of meat from four categories of Mongolian horses (Wushen, Baicha, Barhu, and Ujimqin). Physicochemical indicators, electronic nose, electronic tongue, and lipidomics were used to characterize meat quality and flavor and to screen for differential markers. Results showed that Wushen Horses had the highest pH, serine, glutamic acid, total free amino acids (∑FAA), total non-essential amino acids (∑NEAA), total amino acids (∑TAA), NEAA/TAA, W2S sensor response, umami and richness values, and had the lowest cooking lo...
Application of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Regulation of Ovarian Function and Its Practical Relevance for Fertility and Embryo Production in Cows and Mares. In the female organism, Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced exclusively by granulosa cells, particularly in secondary and early tertiary follicles. The amount of AMH released into the blood is proportional to the total number of follicles present in the ovaries and is therefore used to estimate the ovarian functional reserve. In both cattle and mares, a strong and highly repeatable association has also been demonstrated between AMH concentrations and antral follicle count. Therefore, AMH may serve as a biomarker with broad diagnostic utility in reproductive medicine in these species, as ...
Development of a prognostic scoring system for systemic inflammatory response syndrome in donkeys. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is associated with increased mortality in horses with gastrointestinal (GI) disease. However, there are no data relating to naturally occurring SIRS in donkeys. Objective: To determine SIRS frequency in donkeys with GI disease. To develop a donkey-specific prognostic SIRS score. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Clinical records from donkeys presenting with GI disease in two independent cohorts (development cohort: n = 400, UK; validation cohort: n = 36, Australia) were reviewed. Age, sex, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal te...
Prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in poorly performing horses. Electrocardiogram abnormalities are common in racehorses and can affect performance. Unassigned: This study aimed to analyze the results of electrocardiographic problems and measure the frequencies of various cardiac arrhythmias. Unassigned: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and August 2024. Standard electrocardiographic recordings were obtained from all horses, and cardiac troponin levels were measured. Out of the 114 poorly performing adult horses, 10 cases without arrhythmia were considered the control group. Seventy-four horses (64.9%) had at least one type of...
Recent Advances in Natural Products for Colitis: Mechanisms and Translational Perspectives. Colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent mucosal inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and gut microbiota imbalance. Although current therapies have improved disease management, their long-term use is still limited by incomplete response, relapse, adverse effects, and high cost. Natural products have attracted increasing attention as promising candidates for colitis intervention because of their structural diversity, broad bioactivity, and multitarget regulatory potential. In veterinary medicine, colitis and...
Association Between Vaquejada Practice and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage in Quarter Horses. Vaquejada (VQ) is a traditional Brazilian sport demanding high performance from Quarter Horse (QH) athletes. This study aimed to identify modifications in hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers associated with VQ training, comparing conditioned and non-conditioned horses. Blood samples were collected at rest from 70 healthy QH horses: 60 athletes (VQ-conditioned athlete group-AG) and 10 sedentary controls (breeding horses-CG). Using Linear Mixed Models alongside comprehensive hematological and biochemical analyses, the study found that AG horses exhibited an ...
Prognosis of Equine Liver Diseases. Prognostic information in equine liver disease can be gleaned from historical, clinical, clinicopathological, ultrasonographic, and histopathological features. However, given the multiple causes and subtypes of liver disease affecting horses worldwide, prognostic data might not be suitable for universal application across all cases. Most evidence has been established for horses with chronic hepatopathies and extrapolation to acute cases should be avoided. In chronic liver disease the presence and severity of clinical signs and serum markers including total globulins, albumin, and bile acids ar...
Derivatisation-free FIA-MS/MS assay for rapid simultaneous screening of atypical myopathy biomarkers and acylcarnitine profiles from dried blood spots. Atypical myopathy (AM) is a frequently fatal, toxin-induced disease in horses, characterised by acute progression and mortality rates exceeding 70% within 72 h. The disease is caused by ingestion of seedlings or seeds of certain maple species that contain the toxins hypoglycin A (HGA) and methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPrG). Early diagnosis depends on reliable detection of these compounds and their metabolites. However, most available LC-MS/MS assays are limited by derivatisation requirements and dependence on serum and urine matrices. Here, a rapid derivatisation-free flow injection analysis...
Activity of 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6′-methylresorufin) ester lipase in peritoneal fluid may be associated with strangulating lesions, pancreatic fibrosis, and negative outcome in horses with colic. To compare plasma and peritoneal 1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester (DGGR) lipase activity between horses with and without colic signs and document pancreatic histopathology in a subset of horses. Unassigned: This prospective, cross-sectional study included university-owned or donated healthy horses and client-owned horses presenting to the veterinary teaching hospital for colic. Peritoneal WBC and lactate concentrations and plasma and peritoneal DGGR lipase activity were measured. Pancreatic tissue was collected via convenience sampling. Pancreatic fibrosis ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Evaluation of synthetic peptides derived from glycoproteins gp45 and gp90 as candidates for the immunodiagnosis of equine infectious anemia. The international scientific community continues to promote the development of diagnostic techniques with improved performance and novel capture antigens. On this basis, two synthetic peptides derived from gp45 and gp90 were evaluated to identify the best candidate for the indirect immunodetection of infection. In both assays, 68 serum samples from naturally infected horses in Granma Province (59 seropositive and 9 seronegative), previously classified using the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of each candidate peptide was assessed by calculating ...
Beyond cortisol: evaluating serotonin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and oxytocin as indicators of equine welfare across three training regimens. BACKGROUND: Quantifying the balance between workload, stress, and recovery across equine disciplines remains challenging, and no single circulating biomarker provides a definitive index of welfare-related stress load. Cortisol, oxytocin, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may provide complementary information on endocrine and neuromodulatory responses. METHODS: Paired serum samples were collected from show jumping horses (n = 17) before and after competition, racehorses (n = 43 enrolled, n = 41 analyzed) before and after sessions at ...
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),...
Allogeneic Platelet-Rich Gel Supernatant Reprograms the Cytokine and Growth Factor Microenvironment in an Equine In Vitro Inflammatory Tendon System. Tendinopathy involves a dysregulated inflammatory microenvironment in which cytokines, growth factors (GF) and extracellular matrix components interact dynamically. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used as a regenerative therapy, but its mechanisms of action in inflamed tendon remain unclear. This study evaluated whether platelet-rich gel supernatant (PRGS) reprograms the inflammatory-anabolic mediator network in an equine in vitro tendon explant system stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tendon explants were cultured under six experimental conditions, including non-stimulated contro...
Circulating microRNA profiles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for acute and carrier Theileria equi infection. Equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi exhibits a wide clinical spectrum ranging from acute disease to lifelong asymptomatic carriage, posing significant diagnostic and epidemiological challenges. In this cross-sectional case-control study, equines were classified as acutely infected, asymptomatic carriers, or uninfected controls based on clinical examination and quantitative PCR. Hematological and biochemical alterations were assessed, and plasma miRNA profiles were characterized using small RNA sequencing, followed by qRT-PCR validation of selected miRNAs. Cytokine gene expression in ...
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...
