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.
Renal Lesions in Horses with Oleander (Nerium oleander) Poisoning. A presumptive postmortem diagnosis of oleander () poisoning is made based on the histological observation of cardiomyocyte degeneration and necrosis, which is considered to be a reliable diagnostic marker, and can be confirmed via the detection of oleandrin in tissues or fluids. However, cardiac lesions may not be present in every case, and autolysis can often preclude the identification of subtle changes in the cardiomyocytes. Several studies of experimental oleander poisoning have noted the presence of renal lesions in multiple mammalian species, and case studies of accidental exposure have ...
Inter-species cell detection – datasets on pulmonary hemosiderophages in equine, human and feline specimens. Pulmonary hemorrhage (P-Hem) occurs among multiple species and can have various causes. Cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using a 5-tier scoring system of alveolar macrophages based on their hemosiderin content is considered the most sensitive diagnostic method. We introduce a novel, fully annotated multi-species P-Hem dataset, which consists of 74 cytology whole slide images (WSIs) with equine, feline and human samples. To create this high-quality and high-quantity dataset, we developed an annotation pipeline combining human expertise with deep learning and data visualisation te...
Bacteria Isolated From Equine Uteri in The United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Study. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents a unique environment in which to breed horses with a non-physiological breeding season coupled with high temperatures and humidity for much of the year. This study aimed to describe bacterial isolates from the uteri of mares in the UAE and compare them to those reported elsewhere in the world. Bacterial antibiotic resistance was also analyzed to give a starting point for future monitoring. A total of 2,022 swabs taken over five breeding seasons from the endometrium (n = 1,350) or from uterine lavages (n = 672) were submitted for microbiological cultu...
An Investigation Into Different Measurement Techniques to Assess Equine Proximal Hoof Circumference. Equine hoof conformation is integral to equine performance and soundness. Consequently, it is a major area of interest within the field of equine health. Researchers have measured several hoof shape parameters to study the hoof conformation. Proximal hoof circumference (PHC) is a primary hoof shape parameter, and its assessment may help to recognize the early stages of the development of changes in hoof morphology or poor hoof shape. Previous studies have mainly used a measuring tape to measure PHC. However, some doubts still exist regarding the reliability, repeatability and accuracy of measu...
The Simulated Physiological Oocyte Maturation (SPOM) system in domestic animals: A systematic review. Simulated Physiological Oocyte Maturation (SPOM) mimics in vitro the physiological events of oocyte maturation. The system uses cAMP modulators in two steps (pre IVM and IVM) and has presented promising results that are arousing the curiosity of IVF programs in different animal species, generating several papers, adaptations, and controversies worldwide. This study systematically analyses the data in the literature on the use of SPOM and compares the outcomes to the original paper (Albuz et al. Hum. Rep., 25: 2999-3011 2010), classifying them into success or failure. The PubMed, Scopus, and ...
Opioid-free sedation for atlantoaxial cerebrospinal fluid collection in adult horses. Atlantoaxial (AA) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection in standing horses utilizes the controlled narcotic morphine, thereby limiting feasibility in field practice settings. Objective: To compare AA CSF collection time and reaction scores in horses sedated with morphine-containing and opioid-free sedation protocols: detomidine + morphine (DM), detomidine + xylazine (DX), detomidine + detomidine (DD), detomidine alone (D0); To develop a novel method for assessing sedation in standing horses using open-source motion-tracking software. Methods: Six healthy adult horses. Methods: Randomi...
Kinetic Analysis in Horses With Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy Within the Digit Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. To determine the stance duration and ground reaction forces (GRF) of horses with deep digital flexor (DDF) tendinopathy at the level of the foot and compare the stance duration and GRF to those of clinically sound horses. Unassigned: Prospective clinical study. Unassigned: Sixteen horses (seven horses with bilateral forelimb lameness, four horses with unilateral forelimb lameness, and five horses with no lameness). Unassigned: Analyses of kinetic variables were performed on both forelimbs from sound horses and horses diagnosed with chronic DDF tendinopathy. Stance duration and longitudinal and...
Effects of Bromocriptine on Glucose and Insulin Dynamics in Normal and Insulin Dysregulated Horses. The objectives of the study were to study the effects of the synthetic ergot alkaloid (EA), bromocriptine, on glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin dysregulated (ID, n = 7) and non-ID (n = 8) mares. Horses were individually housed and fed timothy grass hay and two daily concentrate meals so that the total diet provided 120% of daily DE requirements for maintenance. All horses were given intramuscular bromocriptine injections (0.1 mg/kg BW) every 3 days for 14 days. Before and after 14 days of treatment horses underwent a combined glucose-insulin tolerance test (CGIT) to assess insulin sensit...
Determining Objective Parameters to Assess Gait Quality in Franches-Montagnes Horses for Ground Coverage and Over-Tracking – Part 1: At Walk. Ground coverage and over-tracking are two gait quality traits describing the forward movement of the front respectively the hind limbs in relation to stride length and over-tracking distance. To investigate the complex interplay of different movement patterns in ground coverage and over-tracking, limb and body kinematics of 24 Franches-Montagnes (FM) stallions were measured with 3D optical motion capture (OMC) on a treadmill during an incremental speed test at the walk (1.4-2.0 m/s). The significance and amount of explained variance of kinematic parameters on stride length and over-tracking di...
Comparison of the Current Situation of Equine Headshaking Syndrome in France and Switzerland Based on an Online Survey. Equine headshaking syndrome (EHS) is characterised as non-physical and involuntary movement of the horse's head and neck. Although EHS is clinically simple to diagnose, its aetiopathogenesis often remains unclear. The aim of this study was to gain an overview of signalment and therapy possibilities used in France and Switzerland. To do this, an online survey was developed and distributed via newsletters. A total of 933 complete, answered surveys from France ( = 804) and Switzerland ( = 129) were evaluated. The median age in France was 12.4 years (CH = 14.3). Mostly geldings were affected (58.5...
Association between dynamic upper airway obstructions and fitness parameters in Standardbred racehorses during high-speed treadmill exercise. To evaluate the association between the severity of dynamic upper airway obstruction (DUAO) and selected fitness parameters in Standardbred racehorses measured by treadmill test. 191 Standardbred racehorses that underwent a standardized diagnostic protocol for poor performance evaluation between 2002 and 2021 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan. Horses underwent a diagnostic protocol including clinical examination, lameness evaluation, laboratory analyses, ECG, resting upper airway endoscopy, metabolic incremental treadmill test, high-speed treadmill endoscopy, postexercis...
Evaluation of Ultrasound Measurement of Subcutaneous Fat Thickness in Dairy Jennies during the Periparturient Period. The body condition score (BCS) represents a practical but subjective method for assessing body fat reserves. Real time ultrasonography (RTU) has been proposed as an accurate method to objectively measure subcutaneous fat (SF) thickness and predict body fat reserves in cows, horses and donkeys. The aim of the present study was to describe RTU measures of SF thickness during periparturient period in jennies. The present prospective cohort study evaluated six dairy jennies. SF RTU were performed at 15 and 7 days before the presumptive delivery, and 2, 15 and 30 days after delivery. A portable ult...
Influence of unilateral and bilateral vocal cordectomy on airflow across cadaveric equine larynges at different Rakestraw grades of arytenoid abduction. To assess the effect of vocal cordectomy on airflow across equine larynges at different Rakestraw grades of arytenoid abduction using a unidirectional airflow model. Methods: Ex vivo, repeated measures. Methods: Twenty cadaveric equine larynges. Methods: The right arytenoid cartilage was maximally abducted in all larynges. Each larynx was assigned a Rakestraw grade A or B, and the left arytenoid was abducted accordingly. Each larynx was tested under 3 conditions: intact, left vocal cordectomy (LVC), and bilateral vocal cordectomy (BVC). Translaryngeal pressure and airflow were measured, and di...
Detection of Common Copy Number of Variants Underlying Selection Pressure in Middle Eastern Horse Breeds Using Whole-Genome Sequence Data. Dareshouri, Arabian, and Akhal-Teke are 3 Middle Eastern horse breeds that have been selected for endurance and adaptation to harsh climates. Deciphering the genetic characteristics of these horses by tracing selection footprints and copy number of variations will be helpful in improving our understanding of equine breeds' development and adaptation. For this purpose, we sequenced the whole genome of 4 Dareshouri horses using Illumina Hiseq panels and compared them with publicly available whole-genome sequences of Arabian (n = 3) and Akhal-Teke (n = 3) horses. Three tests of FLK, hapFLK, and p...
Cross-species discrimination of vocal expression of emotional valence by Equidae and Suidae. Discrimination and perception of emotion expression regulate interactions between conspecifics and can lead to emotional contagion (state matching between producer and receiver) or to more complex forms of empathy (e.g., sympathetic concern). Empathy processes are enhanced by familiarity and physical similarity between partners. Since heterospecifics can also be familiar with each other to some extent, discrimination/perception of emotions and, as a result, emotional contagion could also occur between species. Here, we investigated if four species belonging to two ungulate Families, Equidae (d...
A Descriptive Study of the Carpal Joint of Healthy Donkeys Using Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This study was conducted to establish a detailed anatomic reference for the carpal joint of apparently healthy donkeys using ultrasonography (US), computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten orthopedically sound adult donkeys were used for US examination of the carpal joint in each forelimb. Additionally, the carpi of ten donkey cadavers were subjected to CT and MRI examinations. The carpal joint was divided into four zones to simplify examination. US assessment of the carpal joint included transverse and longitudinal sonograms. CT was performed using three planes: axi...
Characterisation of Extracellular Vesicles from Equine Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized lipid bilayer-encapsulated particles secreted by virtually all cell types. EVs play an essential role in cellular crosstalk in health and disease. The cellular origin of EVs determines their composition and potential therapeutic effect. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-derived EVs have shown a comparable therapeutic potential to their donor cells, making them a promising tool for regenerative medicine. The therapeutic application of EVs circumvents some safety concerns associated with the transplantation of viable, replicating cells and facilitates...
Comparative Histology of C Thyrocytes in Four Domestic Animal Species: Dog, Pig, Horse, and Cattle. The number, morphology, and distribution of C thyrocytes within the thyroid gland vary among species; however, studies in domestic animals are limited. In this study we compared the morphology, distribution pattern, and percentage of C thyrocytes in four domestic species: dogs, pigs, horses, and cattle. Eighty thyroid glands, 20 per species, were examined. C thyrocytes were visualized immunohistochemically with anti-calcitonin rabbit polyclonal antibody alone and combined with the periodic acid Schiff method to simultaneously visualize C thyrocytes with the basement membranes of thyroid follic...
Risk Factors for Exercise-Associated Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Cardiac arrhythmias resulting in sudden cardiac death (SCD) are an important cause of racehorse fatalities. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for SCD in Thoroughbreds by evaluating a sample with a policy of mandatory post-mortem following racing or training fatalities. Risk factors were compared between case horses with SCD (n = 57) and control horses with other fatal injury (OFI, n = 188) by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Survival in years for horses with SCD was compared to OFI using the Kaplan−Meier method with log rank test. The following varia...
Electrocardiographic Changes in a Horse with Induced Myocardial Infarction. During acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the ischemia and necrosis of the infarcted tissue result in local electrophysiological changes, which bring about deviations of the ST segment and T wave. In this case report, the aim was to investigate whether these changes could be detected with a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) during acute occlusion of the coronary artery in a 15-year-old Standardbred mare (scheduled for euthanasia due to non-cardiac health problems). The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded using an angioplasty balloon catheter guided through the carotid art...
Comparison of Different Methods to Determine the Absorption of Colostral IgG in Newborn Foals. The timely diagnosis of abnormalities in the passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins is important for the health and development of newborn foals. This study investigated three different methods for measuring immunoglobulin G concentration in neonatal foals. Comparison of a commercial SNAP assay, total protein concentration determination, and total globulin calculation by subtracting the albumin fraction from total protein as an indirect parameter was performed on a quantitative ELISA, which served as a reference method. The study included 119 samples from 148 foals between the age of 1 ...
Human versus equine intramuscular antitoxin, with or without human intrathecal antitoxin, for the treatment of adults with tetanus: a 2 × 2 factorial randomised controlled trial. Intramuscular antitoxin is recommended in tetanus treatment, but there are few data comparing human and equine preparations. Tetanus toxin acts within the CNS, where there is limited penetration of peripherally administered antitoxin; thus, intrathecal antitoxin administration might improve clinical outcomes compared with intramuscular injection. In a 2 × 2 factorial trial, all patients aged 16 years or older with a clinical diagnosis of generalised tetanus admitted to the intensive care unit of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, were eligible for study entr...
Cortisol Concentration in Horsehair and its Relationship to Body Location, Coat Colour, and Gender. The determination of cortisol concentrations in animal hair appears to be a relatively simple and non-invasive method of assessing chronic stress. This method has advantages but it also has some drawbacks. We discovered that there are specific coat properties and individual factors in animlas that can affect corisol levels and skew the interpretation of results. We removed horsehair from 8 different areas of the body (chest, left saddle, right saddle, right thoracic fetlock, and left thoracic fetlock, the mane was also sampled at the withers, just behind the ears, and the tail strand) in 31 ho...
Standing horse posture: a longer stance is more stable. Horses stand for most of each day. Although they can use various leg configurations (postures), they usually stand with vertical legs. Why? We addressed this question with a 2D quasi-static model having three rigid parts: a trunk, massless fore-limbs and massless rear limbs, with hinges at the shoulders, hips, and hooves. The postural parameter we varied was ℓg, the distance between the hooves. For a given ℓg, statics finds an equilibrium configuration which, with no muscle stabilization (i.e. using minimal effort) is unstable. We assume a horse uses that configuration. To measure the neur...
Comparison of FECPAKG2, a modified Mini-FLOTAC technique and combined sedimentation and flotation for the coproscopic examination of helminth eggs in horses. Due to high prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in equine helminths, selective treatment is increasingly promoted and in some countries a positive infection diagnosis is mandatory before treatment. Selective treatment is typically recommended when the number of worm eggs per gram faeces (epg) exceeds a particular threshold. In the present study we compared the semi-quantitative sedimentation/flotation method with the quantitative methods Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAK in terms of precision, sensitivity, inter-rater reliability and correlation of worm egg counts to improve the choice of optimal diagn...
Emergence and selection of the dominant follicle and gonadotropin dynamics in postpartum lactating versus non-postpartum cycling mares. Among female livestock, the mare has the shortest interval from parturition to first ovulation. Due to the scarcity of research on postpartum mares, little progress has been made on the characterization of the resumption of ovarian cyclicity after parturition. This study compared follicular and gonadotropin dynamics during follicle emergence and deviation in postpartum lactating (PP Lactating) versus non-postpartum cycling (N-PP Cycling) mares. On the day of parturition, every PP Lactating mare was paired with a N-PP Cycling mare. Comparisons were made by considering the partum-ovulation inter...
Genetic architectures and selection signatures of body height in Chinese indigenous donkeys revealed by next-generation sequencing. Donkeys are widely distributed labour animals in the world. During the process of the domestication and artificial selection of domestic donkeys, body sizes show significant differences among different breeds of donkeys. Based on the genome resequencing data of 103 Chinese indigenous donkeys from 11 breeds (Biyang, Dezhou, Guangling, Hetian, Jiami, Kulun, Qingyang, Turfan, Tibetan, Xinjiang, and Yunnan), seven Spanish donkeys from two breeds (Zamorano~Leonés and Andalusian), and three wild donkeys, we investigated the population structures of Chinese domestic donkeys with different body sizes...
Experimental cross-species infection of donkeys with equine hepacivirus and analysis of host immune signatures. The Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) is an equine-specific and liver-tropic virus belonging to the diverse genus of Hepaciviruses. It was recently found in a large donkey (Equus asinus) cohort with a similar seroprevalence (30%), but lower rate of RNA-positive animals (0.3%) compared to horses. These rare infection events indicate either a lack of adaptation to the new host or a predominantly acute course of infection. Methods: In order to analyze the susceptibility and the course of EqHV infection in donkeys, we inoculated two adult female donkeys and one control horse intravenously with purified Eq...
A randomized clinical trial to compare ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine and detomidine-etorphine-acepromazine for anesthesia of captive Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii). To compare ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (KBAM) to detomidine-etorphine-acepromazine (DEA) for field anesthesia in captive Przewalski horses (Equus przewalskii). Methods: 10 adult Przewalski horses. Methods: A prospective randomized crossover trial was conducted. Each horse was immobilized once with KBAM (200 mg ketamine, 109.2 mg butorphanol, 36.4 mg azaperone, and 43.6 mg medetomidine) and once with DEA (40 mg detomidine premedication, followed 20 minutes later by 3.9 to 4.4 mg etorphine and 16 to 18 mg acepromazine). Both protocols were administered by IM remote dart injection...
Short-term survival rates of 1397 horses referred for colic from 2010 to 2018. Up-to-date and hospital-specific knowledge of prognoses for horses with various forms of colic is essential for helping to guide owners' decisions on costly treatments, and for assessing the continuous development of standards of care in the hospital. This study aimed to determine the short-term survival rates of horses admitted with colic to the University Hospital for Large Animals (UHLA), University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2010 to 2018, and to compare these to a previous local study as well as recent, comparable international studies. Short-term survival rates were calculated for horse...