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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.
Human and Equine Infection with Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses in Panamá during 2010: A Cross-Sectional Study of Household Contacts during an Encephalitis Outbreak. Members of the genera (family ) and (family ) are important zoonotic human and equine etiologic agents of neurologic diseases in the New World. In 2010, an outbreak of Madariaga virus (MADV; formerly eastern equine encephalitis virus) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) infections was reported in eastern Panamá. We further characterized the epidemiology of the outbreak by studying household contacts of confirmed human cases and of equine cases with neurological disease signs. Serum samples were screened using a hemagglutination inhibition test, and human results were confirmed u...
Normal microscopic anatomy of equine body and limb skin: A morphological and immunohistochemical study. Information on microscopic anatomy of equine skin is sparse. In horses, limb wounds often become chronic and/or non-healing whereas body wounds heal normally. These dissimilarities in healing patterns might be a product of different phenotypic characteristics of body and limb skin. The objective of this study was to investigate microscopic anatomy, epidermal thickness, keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation as well as the presence of mast cells in normal equine skin of body and limb. Methods: The study involved body and limb skin biopsies from six horses. Histological characteristics o...
Viscoelasticity and structure of blood clots generated in-vitro by rheometry: A comparison between human, horse, rat, and camel. Although the coagulation system is evolutionary well preserved, profound species differences exist in viscoelastic as well as in common laboratory tests of coagulation. Objective: Evaluating differences in clot formation and material characterisation of clots of four mammalian species on macro-, micro- and nanoscales by the means of rheometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). Methods: Blood samples were collected from healthy human volunteers, laboratory rats (HL/LE inbred strain), warmblood horses and dromedary camels. Clot formation was observed by ...
Assessment of static posturography and pedobarography for the detection of unilateral forelimb lameness in ponies. Static posturography and pedobarography are based on the detection of postural imbalance and, consequently, the pressure redistribution between limbs in lame subjects. These techniques have proven to be useful for the detection of lameness in humans and dogs. The main objective of this study was to test the suitability of static posturography and pedobarography in diagnosing lameness in ponies. A pressure platform was used to obtain postural data (statokinesiograms, mean X and Y, length, LFS ratio, and mean velocity) from 10 sound ponies and 7 ponies with unilateral forelimb lameness. Static p...
Evaluation of a pictorial method to obtain subject-specific inertial properties in equine limb segments. Data describing segmental masses and moments of inertia (MOI) of limb segments are required for inverse dynamic calculations. In horses, these values are usually calculated using regression equations that have been developed from a limited number of horses representing a small number of breeds. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a scaling method and a pictorial method for estimating of the values of segmental masses, lengths, and MOI in the equine limb segments by comparing their output with the standard technique involving direct measurements. Limbs of 30 ho...
Comparison of morphological changes and tactile sensitivity of the pharynx and larynx between four standing sedative and analgesic protocols in eight adult healthy horses. To compare the topographic modifications and tactile sensitivity of the pharynx and larynx after administration of four sedative and analgesic protocols in standing horses. Methods: Experimental, observer-blinded, crossover study. Methods: Eight healthy mares. Methods: Five protocols were evaluated: 1) xylazine and butorphanol administered intravenously (IV); 2) detomidine and butorphanol administered IV; 3) xylazine administered IV and lidocaine topically; 4) detomidine administered IV and lidocaine topically and 5) no analgesia or sedation (control). Quality of sedation, head height and sudd...
Evolutionary Analysis Provides Insight Into the Origin and Adaptation of HCV. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) belongs to the genus and is genetically heterogeneous, with seven major genotypes further divided into several recognized subtypes. HCV origin was previously dated in a range between ∼200 and 1000 years ago. Hepaciviruses have been identified in several domestic and wild mammals, the largest viral diversity being observed in bats and rodents. The closest relatives of HCV were found in horses/donkeys (equine hepaciviruses, EHV). However, the origin of HCV as a human pathogen is still an unsolved puzzle. Using a selection-informed evolutionary model, we show that the c...
Birth, evolution, and transmission of satellite-free mammalian centromeric domains. Mammalian centromeres are associated with highly repetitive DNA (satellite DNA), which has so far hindered molecular analysis of this chromatin domain. Centromeres are epigenetically specified, and binding of the CENPA protein is their main determinant. In previous work, we described the first example of a natural satellite-free centromere on Chromosome 11. Here, we investigated the satellite-free centromeres of by using ChIP-seq with anti-CENPA antibodies. We identified an extraordinarily high number of centromeres lacking satellite DNA (16 of 31). All of them lay in LINE- and AT-rich regio...
Markers of Bone Health, Bone-Specific Physical Activities, Nutritional Intake, and Quality of Life of Professional Jockeys in Hong Kong. Weight-making practices, regularly engaged in by horse racing jockeys, have been suggested to impair both physiological and mental health. This study aimed to assess bone health markers, nutritional intake, bone-specific physical activity (PA) habits, and quality of life of professional jockeys in Hong Kong (n = 14), with gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched controls (n = 14). Anthropometric measurements, serum hormonal biomarkers, bone mineral density, bone-specific PA habits, nutritional intake, and quality of life were assessed in all participants. The jockey group displayed s...
Speckle-tracking analysis of myocardial deformation in correlation to age in healthy horses. An effect of aging on cardiac morphology and function has been shown in humans. In horses, cardiac wall motion analysis using two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-ST) has not yet been reported. Our study included 57 horses of different warmblood breeds between 3 and 30 years old. Age had a significant influence on left ventricular free wall (LVFW) systolic strain rate ( ≤ 0.05) and early diastolic relaxation ( ≤ 0.01). In the interventricular septum (IVS), systolic ( ≤ 0.01) and late diastolic ( ≤ 0.05) contraction velocities also increased with age. In our study, 2D-ST revealed import...
Technical note: Evaluation of a wireless pulse oximeter for measuring arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate in newborn Holstein Friesian calves. Pulse oximetry is a well-established technique in human and veterinary medicine. In farm animals, it could also be a useful tool for the detection of critical conditions relating to oxygen supply and the cardiovascular system. Among other uses, an innovative application could be the monitoring of fetuses during birth. This could help in the early identification of critical situations and support farmers and veterinarians in their decision to start obstetric or life-support interventions. Until now, however, its use in ruminant medicine was still limited to experimental applications. The object...
Elevated urinary excretion of free pyridinoline in Friesian horses suggests a breed-specific increase in collagen degradation. Friesian horses are known for their high inbreeding rate resulting in several genetic diseases such as hydrocephaly and dwarfism. This last decade, several studies focused on two other presumed hereditary traits in Friesian horses: megaoesophagus and aortic rupture. The pathogenesis of these diseases remains obscure but an important role of collagen has been hypothesized. The purpose of this study was to examine possible breed-related differences in collagen catabolism. Urinary specimens from Friesian (n = 17, median age 10 years old) and Warmblood horses (n = 17, median age 10 years...
Comparison of desflurane and propofol at equipotent doses in combination with a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine on global and peripheral perfusion and oxygenation in horses. OBJECTIVE To determine global and peripheral perfusion and oxygenation during anesthesia with equipotent doses of desflurane and propofol combined with a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine in horses. ANIMALS 6 warmblood horses. PROCEDURES Horses were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (3.5 μg•kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with propofol or ketamine and maintained with desflurane or propofol (complete crossover design) combined with a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine (7 μg•kg •h). Microperfusion and oxygenation of the rectal, oral, and esophageal mucosa were measured bef...
Comparison of the efficacy of various concentrations and combinations of serum, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and N-acetylcysteine for inhibition of collagenase activity in an in vitro corneal degradation model. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of various concentrations and combinations of serum, EDTA, 3 tetracyclines, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for collagenase inhibition in an in vitro corneal degradation model. SAMPLE Grossly normal corneas from recently euthanized dogs and horses and fresh serum from healthy dogs and horses. PROCEDURES Serum was pooled by species for in vitro use. For each species, sections of cornea were dried, weighed, and incubated with clostridial collagenase (800 U/mL) in 5 mL of a 5mM calcium chloride-saline (0.9% NaCl) incubation solution and 500 μL of 1 of 19 treatments (...
Comparison of angiographic dyes and injection techniques for ocular anterior segment angiography in horses. OBJECTIVE To assess and compare 2 injection techniques for conducting ocular anterior segment indocyanine green angiography (ASICGA) and sodium fluorescein (SF) angiography in horses. ANIMALS 3 healthy adult female horses (age range, 19 to 25 years). PROCEDURES Horses were sedated, jugular catheters were placed, and manual restraint was used to ensure proper positioning for the angiography procedure. Two injection techniques (IV and intra-arterial) were performed for each horse 1 week apart. Intravenous injections of 0.25% indocyanine green (ICG; 50 mg) and 10% SF (10 mg/kg) were administered ...
Towards European harmonisation of contagious equine metritis diagnosis through interlaboratory trials. The performance of culture and PCR methods routinely used to diagnose contagious equine metritis (CEM) was evaluated and compared by two interlaboratory trials involving a total of 24 European laboratories, including 22 National Reference Laboratories for CEM. Samples were swab specimens artificially contaminated with bacteria present in the genital tract of Equidae, some with and some without Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent of CEM, and T asinigenitalis, responsible for possible misidentification as T equigenitalis Throughout both interlaboratory trials, PCR performed better in t...
Canine, feline, and equine corneal vascular neoplasia: A retrospective study (2007-2015). Corneal vascular neoplasms (hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma) are rare in all species. Reported cases are single case reports in a single species. Archived cases of corneal hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma from dogs, cats, and horses were obtained from the Comparative Ocular Pathology Lab of Wisconsin (COPLOW, Madison, WI), tabulated, and examined. This retrospective study describes the breeds, ages, tumor types, and characteristics of vascular neoplasms that appeared to be primarily corneal in location, in feline, canine, and equine patients, with gross and histologic images. There is a discussio...
Comparison of 3 corneal cytology collection methods for evaluating equine ulcerative keratitis: Cytobrush, kimura platinum spatula, and handle edge of scalpel blade. To compare corneal cytology samples from three common sampling techniques: cytobrush (CB), Kimura platinum spatula (KS), and the handle edge of a scalpel blade (SB). Methods: Equine patients presenting to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with ulcerative keratitis were included. Following diagnosis of corneal ulcer and sampling for microbial culture, two cytology samples per technique were collected with sterile CB, KS, and SB in a randomized order. Cytologic evaluation was performed by two observers masked to collection method. Objective measures of sample cellularity, ...
An epistatic effect of KRT25 on SP6 is involved in curly coat in horses. Curly coat represents an extraordinary type of coat in horses, particularly seen in American Bashkir Curly Horses and Missouri Foxtrotters. In some horses with curly coat, a hypotrichosis of variable extent was observed, making the phenotype appear more complex. In our study, we aimed at investigating the genetic background of curly coat with and without hypotrichosis using high density bead chip genotype and next generation sequencing data. Genome-wide association analysis detected significant signals (p = 1.412 × 10-05-1.102 × 10-08) on horse chromosome 11 at 22-35 Mb. In thi...
Viral, Serological, and Antioxidant Investigations of Equine Rhinitis A Virus in Serum and Nasal Swabs of Commercially Used Horses in Poland. Equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) is considered to be an important pathogen in horses, but relatively few studies are available. Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify ERAV seroprevalence in selected horses in Poland, in addition to correlation between ERAV and age and sex of analysed animals and the antioxidant status. Methods: The material collected from clinically healthy horses was tested using the VNT (353 serum samples) and virus isolation method (44 nasal swabs). 27 serum samples with antibody titers between 0 and ≥1 : 2048 were chosen for further analysis. The study was ...
Effect of Road Transport on the Equine Cecal Microbiota. The effects of travel stress on the equine cecal microbiota are poorly understood. We hypothesized that travel would affect the equine cecal microbiota. Cecally-cannulated horses (n = 6) were randomly assigned to one of two groups, travel (n = 3) and control (n = 3). Horses received a basal diet (Strategy, Purina Animal Nutrition) with 1.2% body weight mixed grass/alfalfa. Travel horses were transported to an unfamiliar location, stalled to simulate weekend horse show conditions, and then returned to the Southern Illinois University Equine Center. Control horses remained at the equine cente...
Effect of cooling rate on sperm quality of cryopreserved Andalusian donkey spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different cooling rates on post-thaw quality of cryopreserved donkey spermatozoa. Eighteen ejaculates from six adult Andalusian donkeys (three ejaculates per donkey) were collected using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen samples (two ejaculates per pool) were divided into three aliquots, and frozen in Gent freezing extender using three different cryopreservation protocols (P): P1 (conventional slow freezing, as control): semen pre-cooled in an Equitainer for 2 h and frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN) vapour; P2 (controlled pre-freeze cooling r...
Shape variation and modularity of skull and teeth in domesticated horses and wild equids. In horses, the morphological changes induced by the process of domestication are reportedly less pronounced than in other species, such as dogs or pigs - although the horses' disparity has rarely been empirically tested. We investigated shape differences and modularity of domesticated horses, Przewalski's horses, donkeys and zebras. Mandibular and tooth shape have been shown to be valuable features for differentiating wild and domesticated forms in some mammals. Results: Both mandible and teeth, show a pattern of shape space occupation analogous to that of the cranium, with domesticated horses...
Technical note: Comparing 4 techniques for estimating desired grass species composition in horse pastures. Many methods exist for estimating species composition, but few studies compare those useful in improved horse pastures. The objective of this study was to examine 4 techniques for estimating desirable forage species composition in 2 cool-season horse pastures based on prevalence estimates, repeatability, bias, and practicality, and to select a method for use in a subsequent grazing study. The techniques included Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc (EPED), Line-Point Intercept with 3 transects of 50 observations each (LPI 3-50), LPI with 5 transects of 30 observations each (LPI 5-30), and Step Point...
Comparison of different methods to calculate venous admixture in anaesthetized horses. The aim of this study was to compare different methods to determine venous admixture (QË™/QË™) in anaesthetized horses. The first objective was to estimate QË™/QË™ using jugular venous blood oxygen content (QË™/QË™), and a fixed value for the oxygen extraction (F-shunt). The second objective was to assess the influence of blood pressure and positioning on oxygen extraction. The third objective was to perform regression analysis between jugular and mixed venous blood oxygen tensions. Methods: Prospective, experimental trial. Methods: The study was performed with seven warmblood horses that were...
Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of low doses of xylazine with and without acepromazine in Nordestino donkeys. Information on appropriate protocols for sedation of Nordestino donkeys is scarce. Objective: To evaluate the sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of low doses of intravenous (i.v.) xylazine with and without acepromazine in 'Nordestino' donkeys. Methods: Seven healthy female Nordestino donkeys (150 ± 18 kg) were included in this blinded, randomised, crossover experiment. Methods: Four treatments were administered, consisting of two i.v. injections, at baseline (T0, 1st injection) and 15 min later (T15, 2nd injection). Treatments included acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg bwt + saline (AS), saline + x...
Diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose as a screening test for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in weanling foals. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is an important cause of morbidity in weanling foals. Many foals are asymptomatic, and the development of an inexpensive screening test to ensure an early diagnosis is desirable. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose for diagnosis of EGUS in weanling foals. Results: 45 foals were studied 7Â days before and 14Â days after weaning. The diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose for diagnosis of gastric lesions (GL); glandular lesions (GDL); squamous lesions (SQL) and clinically significant gastric lesions (CSL) at 45 and 90Â...
Novel insights into Sabino1 and splashed white coat color patterns in horses. Within the framework of genome-wide analyses using the novel Axiom® genotyping array, we investigated the distribution of two previously described coat color patterns, namely sabino1 (SBI), associated with the KIT gene (KI16+1037A), and splashed white, associated with the PAX3 gene (ECA6:g.11429753C>T; PAX3C70Y ), including a total of 899 horses originating from eight different breeds (Achal Theke, Purebred Arabian, Partbred Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Shagya Arabian, Haflinger, Lipizzan and Noriker). Based on the data we collected we were able to demonstrate that, besides Quarter horses, the PAX...
Protozoal coinfection in horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in the eastern United States. Infection by 2 or more protozoa is linked with increased severity of disease in marine mammals with protozoan encephalitis. Objective: To assess whether horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona also have evidence of infection with Neospora hughesi or Toxoplasma gondii. We hypothesized that horses with EPM would be more likely than horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) to be positive for antibodies to multiple protozoan parasites. Methods: One hundred one horses with neurologic disease: 49 with EPM and 52 with CVSM. Methods: Case rev...
An Exploration of Equine-Assisted Therapy to Improve Balance, Functional Capacity, and Cognition in Older Adults With Alzheimer Disease. Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive dementia syndrome that features cognitive and behavioral symptoms, as well as physical and functional limitations that develop over the course of the disease. As an activity that involves physical and cognitive aspects, equine-assisted therapy (EAT) could be a useful therapeutic approach in conditions that involve physical and cognitive decline. However, to date, there are no reports of the use of this therapy in participants with AD. Within this context, the objective of this case series was to describe the effects of EAT on balance, functional...
