Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Comparative Study
Comparative studies in equine research involve the systematic analysis of different horse breeds, management practices, or physiological responses to identify variations and similarities. These studies are instrumental in understanding how different factors influence health, performance, and behavior in horses. Common areas of comparison include genetic traits, nutritional requirements, disease resistance, and response to training. By evaluating these differences, researchers can develop targeted strategies for breeding, healthcare, and training. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that focus on the methodologies, findings, and implications of comparative studies in the context of equine science.
Lower attention to daily environment: a novel cue for detecting chronic horses’ back pain? Chronic pain is thought to affect patients' cognitive functioning, including attention. Loss of attention is likely to have an impact on the execution of daily tasks, and, therefore, to have negative effects. However, relationships between chronic pain and cognitive deficits are still debated. Pre-clinical studies using laboratory animals prove useful to model pain-related cognitive impairment, but animal models had to predict effects in the real world. This study investigates attentional engagement of domestic horses by comparing observations in a home setting and evaluations of vertebral dis...
Seasonal thyroid and lipid profiles in Thoroughbred pregnant and nonpregnant mares (Equus caballus). The purpose of this study was to determine which physiological seasonal thyroid and lipid panel (triglyceride, [TG], total cholesterol, [tCho], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, [HDL Cho], LDL cholesterol, phospholipids, [PDs]) changes occur in 12 Thoroughbred pregnant and six nonpregnant mares over a period of 12 months, from April to March, by into account the lactation stage. Serum total triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels were measured using immunoenzymatic assay kits; the serum lipid panel was analyzed using the enzymatic colorimetric method. One-way ANOVA reported a sign...
Comparison of the antigenic relationship between Japanese encephalitis virus genotypes 1 and 3. The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype circulating in Korea has changed from G3 to G1. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the antigenic relationship between the two genotypes by using antibody tests. Methods: Blood samples from 42 sows and 216 horses were collected, and their seroprevalence was monitored using the hemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralization tests. Antisera against JEV G1 and G3 were isolated and prepared from guinea pigs. The cross-reactivity of these two viruses was then compared using the neutralizing antibody test. Results: We found that th...
Animal-Assisted Therapies for Youth with or at risk for Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review. To systematically review experimental evidence about animal-assisted therapies (AAT) for children or adolescents with or at risk for mental health conditions, we reviewed all experimental AAT studies published between 2000-2015, and compared studies by animal type, intervention, and outcomes. Methods: Studies were included if used therapeutically for children and adolescents (≤21 years) with or at risk for a mental health problem; used random assignment or a waitlist comparison/control group; and included child-specific outcome data. Of 1,535 studies, 24 met inclusion criteria. Results: Of 2...
Freeze-dried stallion spermatozoa: evaluation of two chelating agents and comparative analysis of three sperm DNA damage assays. During the freeze-drying procedure, sperm DNA might become damaged by both freezing and drying stresses. Sperm DNA status can be detected using well-established assays; however, most techniques are expensive and involve elaborate protocols and equipment. Indirect assessments can provide alternative strategies. The objective of this study was to compare a simple test of DNA status using Diff-Quik (DQ) with two established procedures: acridine orange test (AOT) and sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) on freeze-dried (FD) stallion spermatozoa. Ejaculated spermatozoa from three stallions were freeze-...
Differences in the vascular tree of the femoral trochlear growth cartilage at osteochondrosis-susceptible sites in foals revealed by SWI 3T MRI. Focal ischemic chondronecrosis of epiphyseal growth cartilage (EGC) during endochondral ossification is believed to be a key early event on the pathway to osteochondrosis (OC) in both animals and humans. The lateral ridge of the equine trochlea is a site where severe osteochondritis dissecans lesions frequently arise and is a model for the study of naturally occurring disease. Non-invasive imaging to investigate EGC vascularity may help elucidate why focal ischemia occurs. 3T MRI susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) of femoral trochlea of OC predisposed (n = 10) and control (n = 6) da...
Changes in intrafollicular concentrations of free IGF-1, activin A, inhibin A, VEGF, estradiol, and prolactin before ovulation in mares. Changes in intrafollicular growth factors and hormones were evaluated in vivo in postdeviation and impending ovulation follicles. Mares (n = 30) were randomly assigned to five experimental groups based on target diameters of 25, 30, 35, 40 mm, and impending signs of ovulation. Furthermore, data belonging to two or more proximal diameter groups that were not different were combined and regrouped for each factor separately. Follicular fluid-free insulin-like growth factor 1 was highest (P 0.05) among groups. Additionally, follicular fluid activin A tended (P < 0.06) to be higher in i...
Comparison of Arthroscopic Lavage and Needle Lavage Techniques, and Lavage Volume on the Recovery of Colored Microspheres From the Tarsocrural Joints of Cadaver Horses. To quantify recovery of colored microspheres from normal cadaver tarsocrural joints using arthroscopic or needle lavage with 1-5 L of fluid. Methods: Ex vivo experimental study. Methods: Adult Quarter Horse cadavers (n = 8). Methods: After euthanasia, 1.5 × 10(6) colored microspheres were injected into each tarsocrural joint. Each joint was randomly assigned to receive lavage (5 L 0.9% NaCl) with an arthroscope (dorsomedial arthroscope and dorsolateral egress cannula) or three 14 g needles (dorsomedial ingress, dorsolateral, and plantarolateral egress). Egress fluid from each...
The Effects of a Crosslinked, Modified Hyaluronic Acid (xCMHA-S) Gel on Equine Tendon Healing. To assess the effects of a crosslinked, modified hyaluronic acid (xCMHA-S) gel on equine tendon healing using an in vivo surgical model. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Adult horses (n = 5). Methods: Full thickness bilateral forelimb window tenectomies were surgically created in both forelimb superficial digital flexor tendons and xCMHA-S gel was implanted intraoperatively into the right forelimb lesion of each horse whereas the left forelimb served as the untreated control. Healing was monitored by serial ultrasound examinations every 14 days over the course of the 84 day st...
Comparison of corneal degeneration and calcific band keratopathy from 2000 to 2013 in 69 horses. To compare signalment, presentation, treatment, and outcome in horses diagnosed with corneal degeneration (CD) or calcific band keratopathy (CBK) at a referral hospital. Methods: Sixty-nine horses (87 eyes) diagnosed with either CD or CBK. Methods: Medical records of horses diagnosed with CD or CBK at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. Signalment, concurrent ophthalmic diagnoses, previous therapies, diagnostic tests, systemic diagnoses, treatment, follow-up, and outcomes were compared between horses diagnosed ...
Regional heterogeneity in the reactivity of equine small pulmonary blood vessels. Regional differences in large equine pulmonary artery reactivity exist. It is not known if this heterogeneity extends into small vessels. The hypothesis that there is regional heterogeneity in small pulmonary artery and vein reactivity to sympathomimetics (phenylephrine and isoproterenol) and a parasympathomimetic (methacholine) was tested using wire myography on small vessels from caudodorsal (CD) and cranioventral (CV) lung of 12 horses [9 mares, 3 geldings, 8.67 ± 0.81 (age ± SE) yr, of various breeds that had never raced]. To study relaxation, vessels were precontracted with U46619 (10(-...
Abnormal coagulation factor VIII transcript in a Tennessee Walking Horse colt with hemophilia A. Hemophilia A is an X-chromosome-linked disorder caused by a deficiency in factor VIII (FVIII). Although foals have been diagnosed with hemophilia A based on deficiency in FVIII activity, causative gene mutations have not been identified. The genomic DNA and cDNA encoding FVIII of a Tennesee Walking Horse colt affected with hemophilia A and the genomic DNA of his dam and a normal unrelated horse were analyzed with no splice site or coding sequence abnormalities identified in any of the horses. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were then performed on hepatic cDNA from the affected colt and an unr...
[Development of a real-time RT-PCR for detection of equine influenza virus]. Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses caused by influenza A viruses. In this work a real-time RT-PCR for fast and sensitive diagnosis of equine influenza viruses (EIV) targeting a highly conserved region of the matrix gene was developed. In addition two RT-PCR methods for the amplification of large parts of the matrix- and HA gene were adapted for molecular-epidemiological characterization of viruses. The primers of the real-time RT-PCR had homologies of 99.4% to EIV- and 97.7% to all influenza A viral sequences, whereas the minor groove binder (MGB) probe showe...
Initial analytic quality assessment and method comparison of an immunoassay for adrenocorticotropic hormone measurement in equine samples. Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) may be diagnosed by measuring baseline plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The Immulite 1000 analyzer uses an automated chemiluminescence enzyme assay, previously validated for measuring equine ACTH. Recently, an automated bench-top immunoassay analyzer (AIA-360), designed for analytes in people, became available for veterinary use. Objective: Objectives were to evaluate analytic performance of the AIA immunoassay for measuring equine ACTH, and compare the results with those obtained by the Immulite. Methods: Adrenocorticotrophic horm...
Equine grass sickness, but not botulism, causes autonomic and enteric neurodegeneration and increases soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor protein expression within neuronal perikarya. Equine grass sickness (EGS) is of unknown aetiology. Despite some evidence suggesting that it represents a toxico-infection with Clostridium botulinum types C and/or D, the effect of EGS on the functional targets of botulinum neurotoxins, namely the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor (SNARE) proteins, is unknown. Further, while it is commonly stated that, unlike EGS, equine botulism is not associated with autonomic and enteric neurodegeneration, this has not been definitively assessed. Objective: To determine: 1) whether botulism causes autonomic and enteric neurodeg...
Effect of repeated through-and-through joint lavage on serum amyloid A in synovial fluid from healthy horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of through-and-through joint lavage on systemic and synovial serum amyloid A (SAA), total protein, nucleated cell count and percentage of neutrophils in the synovial fluid of six healthy horses. A prospective experimental study was performed where one healthy tarsocrural joint of each horse was randomly assigned to receive repeated through-and-through joint lavage at 0, 48 and 96 h. Synovial fluid and blood samples were collected at 0 (baseline), 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h. Systemic and synovial SAA, total protein, nucleated cell count a...
Ex vivo comparison of the giant and transfixing knot in equine open and closed castration. In equine castration, application of a ligature on the spermatic cord to prevent complications such as haemorrhage and evisceration has been reported with controversial results. Characteristics of commonly used knots have not been studied. Objective: To compare the modified transfixing and giant knots and the emasculator in open and closed equine castration techniques. Methods: Ex vivo experiment. Methods: A total of 144 testicles were randomly assigned to 2 groups for open or closed castration. Both groups were divided into 3 subgroups of 18 specimens each: emasculator only, emasculator plus ...
Isolation of a lytic bacteriophage against virulent Aeromonas hydrophila from an organized equine farm. A bacteriophage (VTCCBPA6) against a pathogenic strain of Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from the sewage of an organized equine breeding farm. On the basis of TEM analysis, phage belonged to family Myoviridae. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of gp23 gene (encoding for major capsid protein) revealed phylogenetic resemblance to T4 like virus genus. Protein profiling by SDS-PAGE also indicated its resemblance to T4 like phage group. However, the comparison of its gp23 gene sequence with previously reported phages showed similarity with T4-like phages infecting Enterobacteriaceae instea...
Intra-arterial versus intra venous contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the equine head. The anatomical complexity of the horse's head limits the abilities of radiography. Computed tomography (CT) in combination with contrast enhanced CT is used more often for diagnosing various head pathology in horses. The objective of this study was to compare intravenous and intra-arterial contrast-enhancement techniques and describe normal and abnormal contrast enhancement in the horse's head. Results: All 24 horses included in the study recovered without complication from the procedures. Compared to the pre-contrast studies, post-contrast studies showed significant contrast enhancement in th...
The Equine Embryo Influences Immune-Related Gene Expression in the Oviduct. Although the equine oviduct clearly affects early embryo development and the selective transport of equine embryos through the oviduct indicates a reciprocal interaction, the influence of the embryo on gene expression in the oviduct remains to be determined in the horse. The aim of this study was to examine this by means of RNA sequencing. Four days after ovulation, epithelial cells ipsilateral and contralateral to the ovulation side from five cyclic and five pregnant mares were collected from the oviduct. RNA was extracted, samples were sequenced, and data analysis was performed to determine ...
The benefits and limitations of animal models for translational research in cartilage repair. Much research is currently ongoing into new therapies for cartilage defect repair with new biomaterials frequently appearing which purport to have significant regenerative capacity. These biomaterials may be classified as medical devices, and as such must undergo rigorous testing before they are implanted in humans. A large part of this testing involves in vitro trials and biomechanical testing. However, in order to bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic, in vivo preclinical trials are required, and usually demanded by regulatory approval bodies. This review examines the in vivo models ...
Horses naturally infected with EIAV harbor 2 distinct SU populations but are monophyletic with respect to IN. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) causes lifelong infections ranging from acutely fatal, to chronic, to asymptomatic. Within infected animals, EIAV is found as a quasispecies. Many experimental studies on EIAV, carried out in the U.S. over the past 70 years, have used either the highly virulent Wyoming (EIAVWYO) field strain or various derivatives of that strain. These infections have provided insights into the variety of genetic changes that accumulate in the env gene and LTR in experimentally infected horses. In the current study, we obtained EIAV sequences from blood samples collected f...
Expression of microRNAs in Horse Plasma and Their Characteristic Nucleotide Composition. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in blood plasma are stable under high levels of ribonuclease activity and could function in tissue-to-tissue communication, suggesting that they may have distinctive structural characteristics compared with non-circulating miRNAs. In this study, the expression of miRNAs in horse plasma and their characteristic nucleotide composition were examined and compared with non-plasma miRNAs. Highly expressed plasma miRNA species were not part of the abundant group of miRNAs in non-plasma tissues, except for the eca-let-7 family. eca-miR-486-5p, -92a, and -21 were among the most abund...
Further evaluation and validation of a commercially available competitive ELISA (cELISA) for the detection of antibodies specific to equine arteritis virus (EAV). The purpose of this study was to further evaluate and validate two commercially available equine arteritis virus (EAV) competitive ELISAs (original and enhanced cELISAs) using archived equine sera from experimentally inoculated animals and field sera submitted for laboratory diagnosis. First, the original and subsequently enhanced cELISAs were compared with the virus neutralisation test (VNT) using a panel of archived serum samples from experimentally inoculated animals. Then, the enhanced cELISA was compared with the VNT using a large panel of archived serum samples. The total number of equin...
Genotyping and Coat Colour Detection of Ancient Horses from Buryatia. From genetic point of view, differences between ancient and modern horses can be reconstructed by using the phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial genomes and by studying phenotypically important nuclear loci. The variety of modern horse coat colors resulted from artificial selection indicates a high degree of domestication. We have conducted the phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA extracted from bone samples of six ancient horses from Tsaramburial in the Republic of Buryatia, and established that they belong to a haplogroup E by Achilli’s classification. This haplogroup is found a...
Dimensions of 65 Extracted Equine First Premolar Teeth. The equine first premolar ("wolf tooth," Triadan number 05) is frequently extracted, and although extracted teeth have been observed to vary greatly in size, published data describing tooth dimensions are limited. Total length, root length, crown height, and crown width were measured in 65 extracted wolf teeth. Dimensions, expressed as median (range) mm, were total length: 21 (12-34), root length: 13.2 (0-19.6), crown height: 7 (2-20), and crown width: 7 (2.6-16). Root length exceeded crown height in 61 of the 65 teeth. Crown height and crown width were either not correlated or poorly correlat...
A Retrospective Study of the Effectiveness of Four Different Treatments of Periodontal Disease in Equine Cheek Teeth. Periodontal disease of equine cheek teeth is common and may lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Limited information is available comparing the effectiveness of treatment methods. The objective of this study was to retrospectively compare the effectiveness of 4 commonly used treatments in reducing periodontal pocket depth (in addition to routine dental treatment and occlusal equilibration). The 4 treatments compared were (1) removal of feed material, lavaging the pocket with dilute chlorhexidine, and then rinsing the mouth with chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash (CL); (2) CL plus placement of...
Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of the Electroencephalogram in Normal Horses during Administration of Inhaled Anesthesia. The effects of anesthesia on the equine electroencephalogram (EEG) after administration of various drugs for sedation, induction, and maintenance are known, but not that the effect of inhaled anesthetics alone for EEG recording. Objective: To determine the effects of isoflurane and halothane, administered as single agents at multiple levels, on the EEG and quantitative EEG (qEEG) of normal horses. Methods: Six healthy horses. Methods: Prospective study. Digital EEG with video and quantitative EEG (qEEG) were recorded after the administration of one of the 2 anesthetics, isoflurane or halothane...
Investigating attentional processes in depressive-like domestic horses (Equus caballus). Some captive/domestic animals respond to confinement by becoming inactive and unresponsive to external stimuli. Human inactivity is one of the behavioural markers of clinical depression, a mental disorder diagnosed by the co-occurrence of symptoms including deficit in selective attention. Some riding horses display 'withdrawn' states of inactivity and low responsiveness to stimuli that resemble the reduced engagement with their environment of some depressed patients. We hypothesized that 'withdrawn' horses experience a depressive-like state and evaluated their level of attention by confronting...
Quantitative comparison of bone mineral density characteristics of the distal epiphysis of third metacarpal bones from Thoroughbred racehorses with or without condylar fracture. To compare regional proportions and spatial distributions of volumetric bone mineral density (BMDv) of the palmar aspect of the distal epiphysis of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) in limbs with or without a condylar fracture from Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: McIIIs from cadavers of Thoroughbred racehorses with (n = 6 bones) and without (8) a condylar fracture. Methods: BMDv and spatial distributions of BMDv in peripheral quantitative CT images of the distal epiphysis of McIIIs were quantitatively assessed with spatial analysis software. Relative proportions of voxels within 9 threshold ...
