Topic:Biopsy
Biopsy in horses involves the collection of tissue samples for diagnostic purposes, often to identify the presence of disease, evaluate tissue abnormalities, or monitor treatment responses. This procedure can be performed on various tissues, including skin, muscle, liver, and other organs, depending on the clinical indications. Biopsies are typically obtained using specialized instruments and techniques to ensure minimal discomfort and accurate sample collection. The analysis of biopsy samples can provide detailed histological information that aids in diagnosing conditions such as neoplasia, inflammatory diseases, and infectious processes. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, applications, and outcomes of biopsy procedures in equine veterinary practice.
The approach to the equine dermatology case in practice. A logical and thorough clinical investigation should provide the best basis for the diagnosis of skin diseases. Where no diagnosis can be reached despite a full range of investigations, the clinician can justifiably attempt symptomatic treatment, but it is always better to focus treatment on a specific condition based on properly accumulated and tested clinical evidence. Unfortunately, in equine dermatology there are few text descriptions of the majority of the conditions encountered in practice. While a few diseases are well recognized, there is still little consensus on the best treatments f...
MSTN genotypes in Thoroughbred horses influence skeletal muscle gene expression and racetrack performance. Myostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a member of the TGF-β superfamily that regulates skeletal muscle development. A MSTN SNP significantly associated with Thoroughbred horse racing phenotypes has recently been identified as well as significant reductions in Thoroughbred skeletal muscle gene expression for three transcripts 400-1500 base pairs downstream of the MSTN gene following a period of training. Together, these findings indicate that MSTN genotypes may influence MSTN gene expression. To investigate this, MSTN mRNA expression was measured in biopsies from the middle gluteal muscle fr...
Equine stomachs harbor an abundant and diverse mucosal microbiota. Little is known about the gastric mucosal microbiota in healthy horses, and its role in gastric disease has not been critically examined. The present study used a combination of 16S rRNA bacterial tag-encoded pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize the composition and spatial distribution of selected gastric mucosal microbiota of healthy horses. Biopsy specimens of the squamous, glandular, antral, and any ulcerated mucosa were obtained from 6 healthy horses by gastroscopy and from 3 horses immediately postmortem. Pyrosequencing was performed on bio...
Synovial hemangioma in an adult horse. A 15-year-old gelding presented with a progressive lameness of the left forelimb of 2.5 months duration. Clinically, a dilation of the deep flexor tendon sheath with a firm elastic consistency and a pronounced tenderness was noted. Ultrasonically, a marked swelling of the flexor tendon sheath with an irregular density of the mesotendineum was observed. The white, firm material forming a nodular distension of the flexor tendon sheath with a diameter of approximately 1 cm was excised and sent for histopathological examination. Biopsies of the deep flexor tendon and corresponding tendon sheath we...
Natural Heterobilharzia americana infection in horses in Texas. The schistosome Heterobilharzia americana infects dogs, raccoons, and other mammals in the southeastern United States. Migration of eggs into the liver results in parasitic granulomas with varying degrees of fibrosis and inflammation. Recently, hepatic parasitic granulomas in horses were shown to be caused by H. americana infection. In the present study, samples of liver from 11 of 12 horses with hepatic granulomas identified at necropsy (n = 11) or surgical biopsy (n = 1) were used for DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing using primers specific for a portion ...
Profiling of differentially expressed genes using suppression subtractive hybridization in an equine model of chronic asthma. Gene expression analyses are used to investigate signaling pathways involved in diseases. In asthma, they have been primarily derived from the analysis of bronchial biopsies harvested from mild to moderate asthmatic subjects and controls. Due to ethical considerations, there is currently limited information on the transcriptome profile of the peripheral lung tissues in asthma. Objective: To identify genes contributing to chronic inflammation and remodeling in the peripheral lung tissue of horses with heaves, a naturally occurring asthma-like condition. Methods: Eleven adult horses (6 heaves-af...
Effects of phenylbutazone on gene expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the oral, glandular gastric, and bladder mucosae of healthy horses. To assess gene expressions of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in oral, glandular gastric, and urinary bladder mucosae and determine the effect of oral administration of phenylbutazone on those gene expressions in horses. Methods: 12 healthy horses. Methods: Horses were allocated to receive phenylbutazone or placebo (6 horses/group); 1 placebo-treated horse with a cystic calculus was subsequently removed from the study, and those data were not analyzed. In each horse, the stomach and urinary bladder were evaluated for ulceration via endoscopy before and after experimental treatment. Oral, glandular gas...
Localization of Bovine papillomavirus in equine sarcoids and inflammatory skin conditions of horses using laser microdissection and two forms of DNA amplification. Equine sarcoids are the most common tumor of horses. Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) has been suggested as the cause of sarcoids. Studies have shown that BPV is present in swabs or biopsies from nonsarcoid-bearing equine skin. Skin biopsies from a variety of different conditions and normal skin from horses with no reported history of sarcoids were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of BPV, which was found in all different types of skin conditions as well as normal skin. Forty-one out of 86 skin biopsies from horses without sarcoids were found to contain BPV DNA. Laser mic...
Transcriptome analysis of muscle in horses suffering from recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis revealed energetic pathway alterations and disruption in the cytosolic calcium regulation. Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) is frequently observed in race horses like trotters. Some predisposing genetic factors have been described in epidemiological studies. However, the exact aetiology is still unknown. A calcium homeostasis disruption was suspected in previous experimental studies, and we suggested that a transcriptome analysis of RER muscles would be a possible way to investigate the pathway disorder. The purpose of this study was to compare the gene expression profile of RER vs. control muscles in the French Trotter to determine any metabolic or structural disruption. T...
PGC-1α encoded by the PPARGC1A gene regulates oxidative energy metabolism in equine skeletal muscle during exercise. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) has emerged as a critical control factor in skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise, acting via transcriptional control of genes responsible for angiogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle fibre type composition. In a previous study, we demonstrated a significant increase in mRNA expression for the gene encoding PGC-1α (PPARGC1A) in Thoroughbred horse skeletal muscle following a single bout of endurance exercise. In this study, we investigated mRNA expression changes i...
Morpho-functional studies regarding the fertility prognosis of mares suffering from equine endometrosis. The aim of the present study was to characterize the morpho-functional features of endometrosis in barren and foaling mares, using both conventional histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected during the physiological breeding season from 159 estrous, clinically healthy mares (mean age 12 years), and the quality and degree of endometrosis was histomorphologically defined. The mares were bred and those that foaled were put in the foaling group whereas those that did not foal were placed in the barren group. Foaling mares were then compared with b...
Lateral ridge augmentation using an equine flex bone block infused with recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB: a clinical and histologic study. This paper reports on a patient who underwent horizontal ridge augmentation using recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) in combination with a collagenate equine block. Ninety days after the first surgery, 8 mm of new bone was noted on a computed tomography scan, and three 5-mm implants were placed. Histology, performed using confocal laser scanning microscopy, showed a large amount of newly formed bone well characterized with osteon and resorption lacunae, which demonstrated the intense bone remodeling. This study supports the use of rhPDGF-BB in combination with allo...
Influence of mechanical manipulations on the local inflammatory reaction in the equine colon. Large intestinal diseases in horses are characterised by inflammation, which could arise from the disease process with some contribution from intestinal manipulation. The effects of the latter are unknown but important to surgeons and could contribute to post operative complications. Objective: To characterise type and degree of intestinal inflammation induced by various mechanical stimuli in the equine ascending colon. Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 12 horses, the left dorsal colon exteriorised and 3 segments randomly exposed to different mechanical manipulations: 1) enterotomy, 2) ente...
Multiple small intestinal pseudodiverticula associated with lymphoma in three horses. Three mature horses presented with progressive weight loss, inappetence, ventral abdominal oedema and lethargy. Two of the animals had intermittent signs of low grade abdominal pain. At presentation, all 3 had hypoalbuminaemia; 2 had hyperfibrinogenaemia and the other had neutrophilia. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 2 cases, both of which demonstrated impaired glucose absorption. One pony treated with corticosteroids failed to improve and developed peritonitis and was subjected to euthanasia after 2 weeks. One pony had small intestinal biopsies obtained via a standing flank la...
Ultrastructural changes in the equine colonic mucosa after ischaemia and reperfusion. Ultrastructural changes in the epithelium can provide information on early changes in barrier properties, repair and inflammation in equine colon after ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R). Objective: To describe the morphology and ultrastructure of the epithelium in equine large colonic mucosa after I/R, and the response of inflammatory cells to injury. Methods: Ischaemia was induced for 1 h followed by 4 h of reperfusion in a 40 cm segment of the pelvic flexure in 6 horses. Mucosal biopsies before and after ischaemia, and after 1, 2 and 4 h of reperfusion were fixed in glutaraldehyde/paraformalde...
Assessment of a bone biopsy technique for measuring tiludronate in horses: a preliminary study. This study assessed the feasibility of measuring tiludronate in horses using a minimally invasive bone biopsy technique. Eight horses were treated with intravenous (IV) tiludronate [1 mg/kg bodyweight (BW)], either once (n = 4) or twice, 28 d apart (n = 4). The horses that were treated once were euthanized on days 1, 43, 57, or 92 and those that were treated twice, were euthanized on days 112, 154, 194, or 364. Bone samples were taken bilaterally from each horse at 4 sites: the third metacarpal bone (MCIII), the 13th rib (R13), the tuber coxae (TC), and the cuboid bone (CB). Test samples were ...
The timeline of metalloprotease events during oligofructose induced equine laminitis development. The role of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and the timeline of proteolysis during laminitis development are incompletely understood. Objective: To determine the temporal progression of selected MMPs and protease regulators during laminitis development. Methods: Five clinically normal Standardbred horses received, via nasogastric intubation, an oligofructose (OF) bolus (10 g/kg bwt). Laminitis induction proceeded for 48 h followed by euthanasia. Lamellar biopsies were obtained prior to dosing and at intervals during the treatment period for analysis (12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 h and at 48 h followin...
Persistent, widespread papilloma formation on the penis of a horse: a novel presentation of equine papillomavirus type 2 infection. A 9-year-old gelding presented with approximately 100 papillomas that covered about 75% of the distal penis. Biopsy was performed, and histology showed evidence of viral cytopathic change and koilocytosis. Polymerase chain reaction using DNA extracted from biopsied tissue amplified equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2) DNA sequences. Sixteen months later, the horse was re-examined and the appearance of the papillomas was unchanged. Equine papillomavirus type 2 DNA sequences were again amplified from both biopsied tissue and swabs of the penis. Papillomavirus was localized to the lesions by imm...
Moderate and high intensity sprint exercise induce differential responses in COX4I2 and PDK4 gene expression in Thoroughbred horse skeletal muscle. The role of molecular signalling pathways in the phenotypic adaptation of skeletal muscle to different exercise stimuli in the Thoroughbred horse has not been reported previously. Objective: To examine CKM, COX4I1, COX4I2 and PDK4 gene expression following high intensity sprint and moderate intensity treadmill exercise stimuli in skeletal muscle of Thoroughbred horses. Methods: Two groups of trained 3-year-old Thoroughbred horses participated. Group A (n = 6 females, n = 3 males) participated in an incremental step test (moderate intensity) to fatigue or HR(max) on a Sato high speed treadmill ...
Effects of training on equine muscle fibres and monocarboxylate transporters in young Coldblooded Trotters. Muscular changes caused by training are breed-specific and studies on the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter (NSCT) are limited. Knowledge about lactate-transporters in muscle in this light draught breed used for harness racing is lacking. Objective: To identify muscular changes associated with training in young NSCTs and investigate muscular distribution of the monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and its ancillary protein CD147, which facilitate lactate transport across membranes. Methods: Nine horses were followed from the start of their training period until the end of their 3-year-old ...
Exercise-induced increases in inflammatory cytokines in muscle and blood of horses. Studies have demonstrated increases in mRNA expression for inflammatory cytokines following exercise in horses and have suggested those markers of inflammation may play a role in delayed onset muscle soreness. However, measurement of mRNA expression in white blood cells is an indirect method. No studies to date have documented the cytokine response to exercise directly in muscle in horses. Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that exercise increases cytokine markers of inflammation in blood and muscle. Methods: Blood and muscle biopsies were obtained from 4 healthy, unfit Standardbred m...
Specific immuno-extraction followed by enzymatic detection (SIEFED) of myeloperoxidase and mitochondrial complex I in muscular microbiopsies: preliminary results in endurance horses. Intense exercise in horses induces an increase of creatine kinase (CK) and stimulation of neutrophils which release the strong oxidant enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO) into the blood. It is not known whether active MPO is found in equine muscles and whether oxidant activity of neutrophils could affect muscular tissues and mitochondrial activity. Objective: Specific immuno-extraction followed by enzymatic detection (SIEFED) methods will be employed for the first time to assess both the normal range of MPO and mitochondrial complex I (MCI) activities in equine muscular microbiopsies and to study th...
Evaluation of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on fibre characteristics and oxidative capacity in equine skeletal muscles. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used to increase or maintain muscle strength during rehabilitation. Human studies investigating different protocols show that some treatments induce changes in muscle characteristics. Despite the frequent use of NMES in horses, no studies have been published describing its efficacy. Objective: To investigate the effects of a NMES protocol on equine fibre types and areas, glycogen concentrations and enzyme activities. Methods: NMES was administrated to m. gluteus medius and m. longissimus dorsi, on one side of 6 healthy Standardbred horses. The con...
Muscle characteristics in young Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters and associations with breeding index, body size and early training. The trotting speed of Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters (NSCTs) is, although inferior to Standardbred speeds, gradually increasing. This development is mainly attributed to breeding progresses. Characteristics of the middle gluteal muscle have recently been described in a small number of these horses but the actual spread in muscle parameters within the population is unknown. Objective: To describe the characteristics of the middle gluteal muscle and their naturally occurring variability in young NSCT horses and investigate possible association with body size, individual breeding index an...
Muscular microRNA expressions in healthy and myopathic horses suffering from polysaccharide storage myopathy or recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small endogenous noncoding interfering RNA molecules (18-25 nucleotides) regarded as major regulators in eukaryotic gene expression. They play a role in developmental timing, cellular differentiation, signalling and apoptosis pathways. Because of the central function of miRNAs in the proliferation and differentiation of the myoblasts demonstrated in mouse and man, it is assumed that they could be present in equine muscles and their expression profile may be related to the muscle status. Objective: To identify miRNA candidates in the muscles of control and affected horses ...
Expression of cyclooxygenase genes in the jejunum of horses during low-flow ischemia and reperfusion. To determine expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) genes 1 and 2 (also called prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases 1 and 2) and stability of housekeeping gene expression during low-flow ischemia and reperfusion in the jejunum of horses. Methods: 5 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were anesthetized, and two 30-cm segments of jejunum were surgically exteriorized. Blood flow was maintained at baseline (untreated) values in 1 (control) segment and was decreased to 20% of baseline (low-flow ischemia) for 75 minutes, followed by 75 minutes of reperfusion, in the other (experimental) segment. Biops...
Expression of wingless type (WNT) genes and their antagonists at mRNA levels in equine endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. WNT signaling pathway plays important roles in reproductive events. Aims were to (1) determine presence of WNT genes and their antagonists in equine endometrium; and (2) to evaluate their expression profiles during early pregnancy. Endometrial biopsies were obtained from mares on day of ovulation (d0, n=4) and on days of 14 (P14, n=4), 18 (P18, n=4), 22 (P22, n=4) of early pregnancy. Biopsies were also collected from cyclic mares during late diestrus (LD, on day of 13.5-14, n=4) and after luteolysis in estrus phase (AL, on day of 17.5-18, n=4) of the cycle. PCR was used to detect expression of...
Utility of the discriminant analysis to categorize untrained Spanish Pure Bred horses on the basis of biochemical and muscle variables before and after a standardized exercise test. We hypothesized that the information obtained from a discriminant analysis could be used to objectively discriminate horses untrained from early ages, in agreement with certain physiological characteristics. In the biopsies of 24 Spanish Pure Bred horses (1.5-3 years old) before and after a standardized exercise test (SET; 4-7 m/s with a change of velocity of 1m/s every 2 min) muscle enzymes, substrate and metabolites were determined. Also, diverse plasma and blood parameters were considered. Three pre-exercise groups (A1: six horses; A2: seven horses and A3: eleven horses) and two post-exerci...
Successful cryopreservation of expanded equine blastocysts. Effective cryopreservation of expanded equine blastocysts (> 300 μm in diameter) has been difficult, perhaps due to the volume of blastocoele fluid or the presence of the equine embryonic capsule. Recently, we reported normal viability of equine embryos after trophoblast biopsy, which resulted in blastocyst collapse. The present study addressed the effect of biopsy and resultant breach of the capsule and blastocyst collapse on survival of expanded equine blastocysts after vitrification. First, non-biopsied, small embryos (< 300 μm) were vitrified in fine-diameter microloader pipette ti...
Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse. To evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on collagenase-induced lesions in the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of horses. Methods: Paired, blinded controlled study. Methods: Eight Thoroughbred horses (3 mares, 5 geldings; mean ± SD weight, 464 ± 26 kg, mean age, 8 ± 1.7 years). Methods: Lesions were created in both ALDDFTs of all horses by injection of 2 × 10(3) IU of collagenase type I. Percent lesion and structure (fiber alignment and echogenicity) were quantified with ultrasonographic imaging 3, 6, and 9 weeks after collagenase ...