Correlation analysis involves the statistical examination of relationships between variables to determine whether and how strongly they are associated. In equine research, correlation analysis is often used to explore the relationships between various physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors affecting horses. This method helps identify potential associations between variables such as diet, exercise, genetic markers, and health outcomes. By examining these relationships, researchers can gain insights into complex interactions and contribute to the understanding of equine biology and management. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that focus on the application of correlation analysis in the context of equine science, highlighting its role in identifying patterns and informing decision-making in horse care and management.
Secor EJ, Matychak MB, Felippe MJ.This study aimed to determine whether TNF-α is transferred to equine neonates via colostrum and the relationship between TNF-α and IgG concentrations in the equine neonate. Colostrum, presuckle and postsuckle foal serum samples were collected from healthy mares and their foals. Equine TNF-α ELISA and IgG SRID kits were used to determine the concentrations of TNF-α and IgG, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman rank correlation. TNF-α concentrations in all presuckle foal serum were below the limit of detection in 15/16 foals and increased in postsuckle foal se...
Tam K, Rezende M, Boscan P.To compare and correlate right atrial pressure, which represents central venous pressure (CVP) to jugular vein pressure (JVP) in laterally recumbent horses under anesthesia. Methods: Retrospective clinical trial. Methods: Seven adult healthy horses (411 ± 8.7 kg). Methods: Horses were sedated with IV xylazine and anesthesia was obtained with IV ketamine and diazepam. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen. All horses were positioned in left lateral recumbency. An 8F catheter introducer was inserted into the right jugular vein to measure JVP. An 8F catheter introducer was i...
Walter J, Klein C, Wehrend A.Mast cells constitute part of the cellular immune system of the genital tract. They play a potential role in cervical remodelling during parturition and are subject to the influence of ovarian steroids. In this study, the influence of oestradiol-17β and progesterone on the distribution of mast cells in equine vaginal, cervical and uterine tissue was evaluated. Genital tracts were retrieved from healthy mares at a local slaughterhouse. The cervix was divided along the longitudinal axis into five equivalent regions from cranial to caudal (R1 to R5). Toluidine blue staining was used for the dete...
Albertsdóttir E, Arnason T, Eriksson S, Sigurdsson A, Fikse WF.The genetic evaluation of Icelandic horses is currently based on results from breeding field tests of riding ability and conformation. The effect of integrating competition traits and/or test status into the genetic evaluation was studied concerning estimation bias, predictive ability, accuracy, correlations between breeding values and ranking of sires. Breeding field test data included 19 954 records from horses assessed in 11 countries during 1994-2008. Competition data included 44 160 records from 7687 horses competing in Iceland and Sweden in 1998-2008. Test status was defined as attendanc...
Mathes RL, Burdette EL, Moore PA, Myrna KE.To report concurrent clinical intraocular findings in horses with depigmented punctate chorioretinal foci and to document any correlation with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Methods: Records of 131 horses (241 eyes) examined at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching hospital from 2001 to 2010 were reviewed with either clinically normal fundi or depigmented punctate chorioretinal foci in the absence of other fundic pathology. Data collected included patient signalment, concurrent clinical ocular findings and follow-up information. Sex, presence of no other intraocular findings, presence...
Wassmuth AK, Riond B, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H.The Mythic 18 is a fully automated hematology bench-top analyzer using impedance technology for a complete blood cell count (CBC) and a 3-part white blood cell count (WBC) differential. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the Mythic for assessment of agreement, precision, linearity, carry-over, stability, and usability under practice conditions. Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid-blood samples from 122 dogs, 140 cats, and 123 horses were analyzed with the Mythic and reference methods (Sysmex XT-2000iV, manual hematocrit, and microscopic WBC differentiation). Pearson's coefficient o...
Epstein KL, Brainard BM.Accurate measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentrations is an important tool for assessment of horses with inflammatory diseases. Objective: To determine the precision and accuracy of a benchtop instrument using both fresh and frozen equine plasma by comparing the plasma fibrinogen concentration measured by a benchtop instrument to 2 separate laboratory standard methods (ACL 100 and STA Compact) for fibrinogen measurement. Methods: Accuracy and precision of the VSPro was evaluated using both human fibrinogen standards and samples from horses. Fifty frozen samples from horses with gastrointest...
Koblinger K, Nicol J, McDonald K, Wasko A, Logie N, Weiss M, Léguillette R.Comprehensive endoscopic scoring of the upper and lower airways for inflammation has not been critically assessed among a large population of horses. The relationship between upper and lower airways described in humans by the "one airway, one disease" concept might also apply to horses. Objective: To evaluate if an association exists between endoscopic inflammatory scores and mucus scores of upper and lower airways and to investigate if endoscopic findings correlate with the lower airway inflammation measured by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology. Methods: Prospective field study. Pharyngit...
Clayton HM, Nauwelaerts S.Postural balance can be quantified using stabilographic variables derived from force plate data that describe movements of the horse's centre of pressure (COP) in the horizontal plane. Most force plates are not large enough to accommodate all 4 limbs of a standing horse, so the study was designed to assess whether representative stabilographic data could be collected from the forelimbs or hindlimbs. Objective: To determine whether stabilographic data from either the forelimbs or the hindlimbs were representative of data for the total body. Methods: Stabilographic data (960 Hz) were collected...
Verwilghen DR, Enzerink E, Martens A, Franck T, Balligand M, Henrotin Y, Detilleux J, Serteyn D.To evaluate the levels of plasmatic and synovial Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO(2) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in horses with osteochondral lesions of the tarsocrural joint and to investigate how these levels relate to arthroscopic findings of inflammation and degeneration. Methods: Venous blood and synovial fluid samples were collected from 63 horses presented for arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments in the tarsocrural joint. Prior to removal of the osteochondral fragment, an exploration of the joint was performed and an inflammatory and degenerative score was determined. The blood and synovial ...
Satué K, Domingo R, Redondo JI.The coordinated interaction of the components of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) with reproductive hormones such as progesterone, oestrogens and cortisol during pregnancy has been widely reported to play a vital role in foetal and placental development in various species, significantly influencing the proper achievement of pregnancy and foetal viability at birth. These interactions have not yet been clarified in mares. Thus, the purpose of the present research was to analyse the relationship between cortisol (CORT), progesterone (P4) and oestrone sulphate (OESTRONE), and the co...
Yamout SZ, Nieto JE, Beldomenico PM, Dechant JE, leJeune S, Snyder JR.To evaluate the association between peritoneal fluid and plasma d-lactate concentration with variables used in the diagnosis and prognosis of horses with colic. Methods: Clinically healthy horses (n=6) and 90 horses with colic. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: D-lactate concentration was determined in peritoneal fluid and plasma of all horses. Information on other blood and peritoneal fluid variables, signalment, results from the physical examination, outcome, need for surgery, lesion location, and type was retrieved from medical records. Results: Peritoneal D-lactate conce...
Dhakal P, Tsunoda N, Nakai R, Kitaura T, Harada T, Ito M, Nagaoka K, Toishi Y, Taniyama H, Gen W, Taya K.Changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, immunoreactive(ir)-inhibin, testosterone, estradiol-17β, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in Thoroughbred stallions along with changes in prolactin secretion in geldings were studied. The correlations of day-length with changes in the concentrations of these hormones were also studied. Five stallions and thirteen geldings were employed to draw blood samples in monthly basis and radioimmunoassay was performed to measure these hormones. All hormones showed a seasonal pattern, the levels being highest durin...
Olsen HF, Klemetsdal G, Odegård J, Arnason T.There have been several approaches to the estimation of breeding values of performance in trotters, and the objective of this study was to validate different alternatives for genetic evaluation of racing performance in the North Swedish and Norwegian cold-blooded trotters. The current bivariate approach with the traits racing status (RACE) and earnings (EARN) was compared with a threshold-linear animal model and the univariate alternative with the performance trait only. The models were compared based on cross-validation of standardized earnings, using mean-squared errors of prediction (MSEP) ...
Groesel M, Zsoldos RR, Kotschwar A, Gfoehler M, Peham C.Identifying the underlying problem of equine back pain and diseases of the spine are significant problems in veterinary orthopaedics. A study to validate a preliminary biomechanical model of the equine back based on CT images including longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle is therefore important. Objective: Validation of the back model by comparing the shortening of LD muscles in the model with integrated EMG (IEMG) at stance during induced lateral flexion of the spine. Methods: Longissimus dorsi muscle activity at stance has been used for validation. EMG electrodes were placed laterally at the level ...
Cravana C, Medica P, Prestopino M, Fazio E, Ferlazzo A.Limited knowledge exists about the differentiated effects of competitive and noncompetitive showjumping on thyroid function and relationships with hypothalamic-hypophysis-corticoadrenal hormones. Objective: To obtain preliminary data about differentiated effects of competitive and noncompetitive showjumping on total and free iodothyronines, β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol of horses. Methods: Five trained healthy jumper horses were studied during competitive and noncompetitive showjumping, performed in the same circuit design over 10 fences of 1.10 m. Hormone levels before, 5 and 30 min post ex...
Thorpe CT, Stark RJ, Goodship AE, Birch HL.Damage to the flexor tendons, particularly the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries sustained by horses competing in all disciplines. Our previous work has shown that SDFTs from different individuals show a wide variation in mechanical strengths; this is important clinically as it may relate to predisposition to injury. The high mechanical strength of tendon relies on the correct orientation of collagen molecules within fibrils and stabilisation by the formation of chemical cross-links between collagen molecules. It is not known whether t...
Williams CA, Burk AO.Dietary intake and feeding management practices could affect the degree of physiological stress and subsequent performance of high level 3-day event horses. Objective: To assess whether a relationship exists between dietary intake levels of selected nutrients and the inflammatory and antioxidant status in horses competing in a high level 3-day event. Methods: Riders competing in a CCI2*/CCI3* 3-day event (n = 35) answered a nutritional management survey conducted by the investigators at the competition. Actual and recommended intakes of vitamin E, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) an...
Revold T, Ihler CF, Karlström K, Larsen S, Essén-Gustavsson B.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...
Lydka M, Kotula-Balak M, Kopera-Sobota I, Tischner M, Bilińska B.Specific patterns of cytoskeletal filaments reflect a functional state of the cell. In testicular cells intermediate filaments (IFs) are of the vimentin type. Since it is known that Sertoli cells regulate the spermatogenic function in the male gonad, it became important to propose a system that could quantify the state of seminiferous tubular quality. To date, a Johnsen score system has never been used to equine testes. Objective: To demonstrate the expression pattern of vimentin in testes of mature Arabian stallions and correlate its distribution with grade of seminiferous tubule impairment a...
Dhakal P, Tsunoda N, Nakai R, Nagaoka K, Nambo Y, Sato F, Taniyama H, Taya K.The aim of present study was to clarify the post-natal profile of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), immunoreactive (ir)-inhibin, progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol-17β, and their relationships in Thoroughbred colts. Six hundred and thirty-six colts were used for the study. Single plasma samples from each animal were harvested from the blood drawn through jugular venipuncture. The subjects were born with high amounts of progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol-17β, all of which dropped significantly and remained at lower levels till the end of 6 months. FSH...
el-Ashker MR.The present study was carried out to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiologic process of acute renal failure associated with exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) in Egyptian horses. ER was tentatively diagnosed in 31 Baladi horses based on case history, physical examination findings and confirmed by elevation of plasma creatine kinase (CK) and urine myoglobin concentrations. According to severity of the condition, the diseased horses were categorized into two main groups; the first group included 18 horses with minimal clinical signs and plasma CK <60 000 IU/L; whereas, the seco...
Turk R, Habuš J, Flegar-Meštrić Z, Svetina A, Mojčec V, Perkov S, Belić M, Starešina V, Turk N.The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of infection with Leptospira spp. in horses on activities of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) considering the anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidative properties of both enzymes. A total of 63 sport and leisure horses' sera were chosen among those routinely serologically examined on leptospirosis during the year 2009 in Croatia. Sera were divided into three groups according to the estimated level of antibody titre against Leptospira spp; group 1: sera serologically negative to leptospirosis (antibody titre<5...
Senior JM, Proudman CJ, Leuwer M, Carter SD.Endotoxaemia is frequently presumed on the basis of clinical signs in horses with colic. Objective: Measurements of plasma endotoxin (LPS) are rarely made in clinical cases and there is little information on the correlations between this variable, clinical variables and outcomes. Objective: To measure LPS levels in plasma of horses presented to the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital on admission and daily for up to 4 days and to relate LPS levels to selected clinical parameters, such as heart rate and packed cell volume, and outcomes. Methods: Blood samples were collected and stored at -20°C p...
Suontama M, van der Werf JH, Juga J, Ojala M.Genetic correlations for body measurements and subjectively scored traits between foals and studbook horses were estimated using bivariate linear mixed models. Observations for nine foal and eleven studbook traits in Finnhorses on 6529 foals and 6596 studbook horses and in Standardbred trotters on 3069 foals and 2112 studbook horses were available from the Finnish horse breeding shows. The number of sires with progeny in both foal and studbook data was 203 in Finnhorse and 145 in Standardbred trotters. Estimates of heritability for body measurements in foals and studbook horses using univariat...
Albertsdóttir E, Eriksson S, Sigurdsson Á, Árnason T.Genetic evaluation of Icelandic horses is currently based on results from breeding field tests where riding ability and conformation of the horses are evaluated over the course of 1-2 days. Only a small part of registered horses attend these field tests, and it can be assumed that these are not a random sample of the population. In this study, the trait test status was introduced, describing whether a horse was assessed in a breeding field test. This trait was analysed to find out whether it has a genetic variation and how it correlates genetically to other traits in the breeding goal. Breedin...
Barakzai SZ, Dixon PM.To correlate resting and exercising endoscopic grades of laryngeal function in horses undergoing high-speed treadmill endoscopy (HSTE) using the Havemeyer grading system. To correlate dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) seen at rest with palatal function during exercise. Methods: Records of horses that underwent HSTE examination (1999-2009) were reviewed. Resting laryngeal function score and other abnormalities noted on resting endoscopy were recorded as were results of HSTE. Results of resting and exercising endoscopic findings were correlated. Results: 281 horses underwent HSTE. Th...
Dart AJ, Dart CM, Dudhia J, Perkins N, Canfield P, Smith RK.To evaluate whether wound type or site influence the production of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and determine if there is a correlation between TGF-β1and COMP during healing. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Standardbred horses (n=6), 4-8 years old. Methods: Six, standardized, full-thickness skin wounds (open, straight, and elliptical) were surgically created on the neck (n=3) and metacarpus (3) on each horse. Wounds were randomly allocated to site and side. Tissue samples were collected before creating wounds and on days 7, 14, and 4...
Viklund A, Näsholm A, Strandberg E, Philipsson J.For Swedish Warmblood sport horses, breeding values (BVs) are predicted using a multiple-trait animal model with results from competitions and young horse performance tests. Data go back to the beginning of the 1970s, and earlier studies have indicated that some of the recorded traits have changed through the years. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of including all performance data or excluding the older ones compared to a bivariate model (BM) considering performance traits in early and late periods as separate traits. The bivariate approach was assumed to give the mo...
Honnens A, Weisser S, Welter H, Einspanier R, Bollwein H.The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between uterine perfusion and estrogen, progesterone and the uterine nitric oxide synthase (NOS) system in five trotter mares during the estrous cycle. Color Doppler sonography for measurement of uterine blood flow and collection of blood for determination of plasma estrogen and progesterone concentrations were performed on days 0 (= ovulation), 1, 5, 11 and 15 and daily during estrus (days -1 to -4) of one estrous cycle; endometrial biopsy collection for mRNA expression analysis of NOS and estrogen receptors was performed on day...
Lovett AL, Gilliam LL, Sykes BW, McFarlane D.Both obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with hypercoagulability in people, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and thromboembolic events. Whether hypercoagulability exists in obese, insulin-dysregulated horses is unknown. Objective: To determine if coagulation profiles differ between healthy horses and those with obesity and insulin dysregulation. Methods: Fifteen healthy horses (CON) and 15 obese, insulin-dysregulated horses (OBID). Individuals were university or client owned. Methods: Case-control study. Obesity was defined as a body condition score (BCS) ≥7.5/9 (modif...
Rawlings CA, Byars TD, Van Noy MK, Bisgard GE.Activated coagulation test (ACT) was performed in 37 adult ponies and 31 adult horses. The mean ACT time of all ponies and horses was 2 minutes 38 seconds, with a standard deviation (SD) of 29 seconds. The ACT was compared with the Lee-White clotting test in heparinized ponies. The correlation of ACT with the Lee-White test was 0.95. Anticoagulation heparinized ponies during prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass was successfully monitored with the ACT. The ACT is simple and reproducible, has a definite end point, and would seem to be an ideal screening test for hemorrhagic diathesis in equine anima...
Burd MA, Craig JJ, Craig MF.Digital radiographs are often used to subjectively assess the equine digit. Recently, quantitative and objective radiographic measurements have been reported that give new insight into the form and function of the equine digit. We investigated a radio-dense curvilinear profile along the distal phalanx on lateral radiographs we term the Palmar Curve (PC) that we believe provides a measurement of the concavity of the distal phalanx of the horse. A second quantitative measurement, the Palmar Metric (PM) was defined as the percent area under the PC. We correlated the PM and age from 544 radiograph...
Evans MJ, Hamer JM, Gason LM, Irvine CH.Twelve acyclic mares of various ages (2-29 years) and parity (maiden-multiparous) were given oestradiol-17 beta i.m. (winter 1982) or progesterone i.m. (winter 1983) to induce changes in the endometrium consistent with oestrus and dioestrus, respectively. After hormone treatment, mares were inoculated intrauterine with 50 ml saline containing 5 X 10(5) Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria, 51Cr-labelled 15-micron microspheres, and 500 mg charcoal (Groups E + B and P + B) or microspheres and charcoal only (Groups EC and PC). At 5 h after inoculation uteri were flushed with 50 ml saline containi...
Valberg SJ, Borer Matsui AK, Firshman AM, Bookbinder L, Katzman SA, Finno CJ.Although muscle mass strongly influences performance, there is currently no effective means to measure the 3-dimensional muscle mass of horses. We evaluated a 3-dimensional (3D) scanning methodology for its ability to quantify torso and hindquarter volumes as a proxy for regional muscle mass in horses. Determine the repeatability of 3D scanning volume (V) measurements and their correlation to body weight, estimated body volume and muscle/fat ultrasound (US) depth. Handheld 3D photonic scans were performed on 16 Quarter Horses of known body weight 56 days apart (n = 32 scans) with each scan per...
Duarte PC, Ebel ED, Traub-Dargatz J, Wilson WD, Conrad PA, Gardner IA.To assess the use of CSF testing with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Methods: Test results of 428 serum and 355 CSF samples from 182 naturally exposed, experimentally infected, or vaccinated horses. Methods: EPM was diagnosed on the basis of histologic examination of the CNS. Probability distributions were fitted to serum IFAT results in the EPM+ and EPM-horses, and correlation between serum and CSF results was modeled. Pairs of serum-CSF titers were generated by simulation, and titer-specifi...
Kim J, Jung H, Yoon M.Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter associated with animal behaviors. Along with other neurotransmitters such as oxytocin (OXT) and serotonin (5-HT), DA is also involved in determining the temperament of animals. However, the involvement of DA in horse temperament has not been well elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between plasma DA concentration and OXT and 5-HT concentrations and behavioral temperament (eg, docility and friendliness, fearfulness, dominance, and trainability) of horses. Blood samples were collected from 31 horses and the concentration...
Stewart JH, Rose RJ, Barko AM.Simultaneous echocardiograms, phonocardiograms and electrocardiograms were performed on 16 foals at the following times after birth: 15 mins, 60 mins, 2, 4, 12, 24, 48 h, four, seven, 14 days and four, eight and 12 weeks. Positive correlations were found between both age and body weight and the following measurements: left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, right ventricular end-diastolic dimension, left atrial dimension and aortic root dimension, posterior left ventricular wall thickness and interventricular septal thickness. Heart rate was negatively correlated with left ventricular electr...
Donaldson MT, McFarlane D, Jorgensen AJ, Beech J.To evaluate the correlation between plasma alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) concentration and body mass index (BMI) in healthy horses. Methods: 82 healthy horses. Methods: Plasma alpha-MSH concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. At the time blood samples were collected, body condition scores (BCS) were determined and measurements of girth circumference, body length, and height were obtained. Weight was estimated by use of the following formula: estimated weight (kg) = [girth (cm)2 x length (cm)]/11,877. Body mass index was calculated as estimated weight (kg)/height (m...
Wilkołek P, Szczepanik M, Sitkowski W, Adamek Ł, Pluta M, Taszkun I, Gołyński M.New techniques in equine veterinary allergy testing include multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs) that cover insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), respiratory and atopic allergic diseases. The in vivo intradermal test (IDT) method is one of the most widely used techniques in veterinary practice, but recently, in vitro methods have been introduced as possible alternatives. This study was designed to assess the correlation between IDTs and MASTs based on IgE determination in serum. The study was performed on Malopolski breed horses with IBH (n = 26). IDTs were performed, and allergen-spe...
Lindåse S, Nostell K, Söder J, Bröjer J.A hyperbolic relationship between β-cell response and insulin sensitivity (IS) has been described in several species including rodents, dogs, and humans. This relationship has not been elucidated in the horse. Objective: To determine whether the hyperbolic relationship between β-cell response and IS exists in horses by using indices of β-cell response from the oral sugar test (OST) and IS measurements from the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC). A second aim was to compare how well IS estimates from the OST and EHC correlate. Methods: Forty-nine horses with different degrees of insulin...
Sasaki N, Mizuno Y, Yoshihara T.Electrogastrography (EGG), in which the electrical activity of the smooth muscular layer of the stomach is recorded percutaneously through the abdominal wall, has been applied in recent years to humans as a non-invasive method. In acute abdominal disease in horses, it is considered diagnostically useful to analyze digestive activity using EGG. Electrocecography (ECG) was examined to determine its effectiveness in evaluating equine digestive motility through comparison, after xylazine administration, between the results of the percutaneous ECG method and the results obtained using a strain-gaug...
Lightsey P, Lee Y, Krenek N, Hur P.Physical therapy treatments incorporating equine movement are recognized as an effective tool to treat functional mobility and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). To date, only a few studies examined kinematic outputs of the horses and children when mounted. In this pilot study, to better understand the effectiveness of this type of treatment, we examined the interaction between the horses and children with CP during physical therapy sessions where equine movement was utilized. Four children with CP participated in eight physical therapy sessions incorporating hippotherapy as a treat...
Ronéus B.When blood selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity was measured in 30 standardbred horses a significant correlation was found (r = 0.97). A comparison between blood GSH-px activity in clinically healthy foals, foals affected by muscular dystrophy (MD) and their respective mares was also done. There was no difference in GSH-px activity between the healthy foals and the MD foals or between the corresponding mares.
Irvine CH, Alexander SL.We used our unique nonsurgical technique for collecting pituitary venous (pit) blood to study GnRH, FSH, and LH secretion patterns in midluteal phase mares. This method does not perturb endocrine function and allows continuous monitoring of GnRH and gonadotropin (Gn) secretion, determination of the amount of GnRH perfusing gonadotropes, and direct measurements of the amounts of Gn secreted. In a total of 80 h of 5-min sampling in four mares, eight Gn peaks occurred; however, more frequent sampling was needed to define secretory events precisely. Therefore, pit blood was collected continuously ...
Tóth P, Horváth C, Ferencz V, Tóth B, Váradi A, Szenci O, Bodó G.Despite the fact that bone mineral density (BMD) is an important fracture risk predictor in human medicine, studies in equine orthopedic research are still lacking. We hypothesized that BMD correlates with bone failure and fatigue fractures of this bone. Thus, the objectives of this study were to measure the structural and mechanical properties of the proximal phalanx with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to correlate the data obtained from DXA and computer tomography (CT) measurements to those obtained by loading pressure examination and to establish representative region of interest (...
Lepage OM, DesCôteaux L, Marcoux M, Tremblay A.The purpose of the study was to determine whether there were circadian variations in serum osteocalcin in normal horses and to determine whether it was important to regulate the time of blood sampling in clinical investigations. Osteocalcin or bone Gla-protein (BGP), alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, phosphate and total protein were studied over a 24 h period. Blood samples were taken every 60 min from nine adult Standardbred horses. There was a correlation between serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.3, p less than 0.01), phosphate (r = 0.42, p less than 0.01) and serum osteocalcin ...
Staniszewska M, Kowalik S, Sadok I, Kędzierski W.Catabolism of tryptophan (Trp) is modulated by physical activity and provides a pool of active compounds: Trp is considered a calmative agent, kynurenine (Kyn) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HKyn) show neurotoxic effects, kynurenic acid (Kyna) and xanthurenic acid (XA) have neuroprotective properties like nicotinamide (NAm), while serotonin is the neurotransmitter. The study was conducted to investigate the dependence of exercise intensity, measured by plasma lactic acid (LA) concentration, on the level of Trp, its catabolites (serotonin, Kyn, 3-HKyn, Kyna and XA), and NAm in Thoroughbred horses. ...
McGivney CL, Gough KF, McGivney BA, Farries G, Hill EW, Katz LM.Conflicting results have been reported for risk factors for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) based on resting endoscopic evaluation and comparison of single conformation traits, with many traits correlated to one another. Objective: To simplify identification of signalment and conformation traits (i.e. variables) associated with RLN cases and controls diagnosed with exercising overground endoscopy (OGE) using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Methods: Prospective cohort. Methods: Pearson's rank correlation was used to establish significance and association between variables collected from...
Rose RJ.Blood counts and noradrenaline estimations were performed in 14 horses competing in a 160 km endurance ride. Samples were collected before the ride, immediately after the ride. 30 minutes after the ride and the day after the ride. For statistical analysis, a group of seven horses that completed the ride at a mean speed of 234 m/minute (fast group) was compared with seven horses that completed the ride at a mean speed of 144 m/minute (slow group). Immediately after the ride the fast group of horses had higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin, neutrophils and lower lymphocyte counts than the slow...
Hollis AR, Dixon JJ, Berlato D, Murray R, Weller R.There are limited data on whether the dimensions of the equine eye and its internal structures change with bodyweight in horses. The aim of this study was to identify whether the size of the equine eye and its individual structures varied in a predictable manner with bodyweight, and to examine the reliability of computed tomography (CT) scans in the measurement of the equine eye. Ninety horses which had undergone CT examination of the head for non-ocular disease were included. All measurements of the eye were performed twice on all eyes by the same operator to quantify intra-operator agreement...
Khalil AM, Nakahara K, Tokuriki M, Kaseda Y, Murakami N.On Misaki peninsula, Japan, fecal samples were collected from 14 Misaki stallions at monthly intervals for 12 consecutive months. The fecal testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. We examined monthly fecal testosterone hormone patterns and the relationship between fecal testosterone concentration and breeding season and later harem size. Marked monthly variations in fecal testosterone concentration were observed. The fecal testosterone concentration began rising in March; the highest mean monthly concentration, 2.87 +/- 0.18 ng/g, was found in April, and the level remained...
Vigani A, Shih A, Queiroz P, Pariaut R, Gabrielli A, Thuramalla N, Bandt C.New volumetric variables of preload, such as total end-diastolic volume index (TEDVI) and active circulation volume index (ACVI) and central blood volume index (CBVI), may represent good indicators of preload and predictors of fluid responsiveness. During acute changes of intravascular volume these variables would allow a more accurate intervention. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in TEDVI, ACVI, CBVI in a juvenile model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Methods: Twelve anaesthetized ponies (3-8 months of age) were studied at normovolaemia (BASE), a...
Janczarek I, Wilk I, Zalewska E, Bocian K.The aim of this paper was to select atmospheric factors and their values, which may disrupt the correct behavior and physiological condition of recreational horses. The studies were carried out from 1 July until 1 September on 16 Anglo-Arabian geldings. Each day, from 09.00 to 10.00 hours, the horses worked under saddle. The riders and the authors gave a qualitative behavioral assessment for each horse. Mood and willingness to work were evaluated. The quantitative assessment was called 'incorrect behavior of the horse while riding' (IBHR). The percentage time of duration and the number of occu...
Bramski JH, Reed RA, Diehl KA, Epstein KL, Ryan CA.To determine whether an association exists between direct intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement and ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in anesthetized and standing horses. Methods: Cross-sectional study performed on a convenience sample of healthy adult horses. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Eight adult horses donated to the University. Enrolled horses were free of abnormalities on physical examination, CBC, neurological evaluation, and ophthalmological examination. Results: Horses were anesthetized in lateral recumbency for placement of an IC...
Thompson DL, St George RL, Jones LS, Garza F.Samples of jugular blood were drawn from each of five stallions every 15 min for 12 h during the summer and winter to determine the short-term fluctuations in plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone. Concentrations of LH and FSH were generally not pulsatile, although one stallion exhibited three distinct pulses in these hormones during the winter. In general, patterns of secretion of all three hormones were similar in both seasons and the number of significant rises in hormonal concentrations did not differ between seasons. Concent...
Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K, Waliczek A, Micek P, Flaga J.The aim of the study was to determine the utility of maximum eye temperature measured by infrared thermography (IRT) as a stress indicator compared with plasma cortisol concentration in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses. The study included thirty racehorses undergoing standard training for racing. Measurements of maximum eye temperature and blood collection for plasma cortisol concentration were carried out before training (BT), and within 5 (5AT) and 120 minutes (120AT) after the end of the each training session in three repetitions, with a monthly interval. Both parameters were elevated at...
Gabel AA, Spencer CP, Pipers FS.The distal radial physes of 113 two-year-old Standardbreds were radiographed an average of 2.6 times each during an average of 4.72 +/- 1.7 months, beginning May 1, 1975. The radiograph of each physis was graded C, B-, B, B+, or A (closed), and the date of closure was determined by a method that proved to be reliable. The average age of closure of the distal radial physes was 29.8 +/- 1.6 months, with age of closure ranging from 26 to 35 months. There were no statistical differences between age of physeal closure of colts, geldings, or fillies; pacers or trotters; "well-bred" or other horses, ...
