Topic:Domestic Animals
The study and analysis of "Domestic Animals" and horses examines the historical domestication, breeding, and management practices that have shaped the role of horses in human society. It also explores the anatomical, physiological, and behavioral characteristics that differentiate horses from other domestic species. Comparative studies often focus on aspects such as nutrition, health management, and the economic and cultural importance of horses relative to other domesticated animals. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the various dimensions of equine domestication, including genetic studies, welfare considerations, and the impact of domestication on horse behavior and physiology.
Rabies surveillance in the United States during 1999. During 1999, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported 7,067 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a decrease of 11.2% from 7,961 cases in nonhuman animals and 1 case in a human being reported in 1998. More than 91% (6,466 cases) were in wild animals, whereas 8.5% (601 cases) were in domestic species (compared with 92.4% in wild animals and 7.6% in domestic species in 1998). No cases of rabies were reported in human beings in 1999. Decreases were evident in all major species groups, with the exception of cattle, sheep/goats, ...
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-4 proteolytic degradation in bovine, equine, and porcine preovulatory follicles: regulation by IGFs and heparin-binding domain-containing peptides. We recently showed that insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) proteolytic degradation in ovine preovulatory ovarian follicles is IGF-dependent and regulated by the heparin-binding domain (HBD) from IGFBP-3 and from connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), heparan/heparin-interacting protein (HIP), and vitronectin. The present study investigated regulation of IGFBP-4 proteolytic degradation in porcine, bovine, and equine ovarian preovulatory follicles. Follicular fluid from such preovulatory follicles contains proteolytic activity, degrading exogenous IGFBP-4. An excess of IGF-I...
Oxytocin in the semen and gonads of the stallion. It has been suggested that oxytocin is involved in sperm transport and motility in domestic animals. Immunoreactive oxytocin was measured in seminal fractions (pre-ejaculatory fluid, seminal plasma, gel and sperm) and in extracts of testis and epididymis from stallions. In addition, sections of gonadal tissue from stallions were immunostained for the presence of oxytocin and its neurophysin. Oxytocin was detected in all of the seminal fractions, being highest in the gel. It was also present in washed, lysed sperm and in extracts from the testis and epididymis. Immunostaining for oxytocin was p...
Production and characterisation of two monoclonal antibodies recognising equine IgG Fc receptors. Despite the importance of IgG Fc receptors in the regulation of various immunological mechanisms, these receptors have not been well characterised in the domesticated animals including equines. This paper describes the production of two monoclonal antibodies (CVS 59 and CVS 61) that recognise equine IgG Fc receptors. Fusions were conducted using BALB/c mice hyperimmunised with equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hybridoma supernatants were screened on the basis of their ability to inhibit the rosetting of equine antibody coated sheep erythrocytes with equine peripheral blood mononuclear...
[Quantitative characteristics of the differential banding pattern prometaphase chromosomes of the domestic horse (Equus caballus)]. A high-resolution cytogenetic map (670 bands per haploid set) of RBA-banded chromosomes has been constructed in the domestic horse Equus caballus. The size and distribution of the replication-based R(G)-bands were analyzed using the computer program VideoTest-Karyo. The obtained data were compared to the results of cytogenetic mapping in other mammalian species and human.
Rabies surveillance in the United States during 1998. During 1998, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported 7,961 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals and 1 case in a human being to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a decrease of 6.5% from 8,509 cases in nonhuman animals and 4 cases in human beings reported in 1997. More than 92% (7,358 cases) were in wild animals, whereas > 7.5% (603 cases) were in domestic species (compared with 93% in wild animals and 7% in domestic species in 1997). Decreases were evident in all of the major contributing species groups, with the exception of skunks and bats. The relative cont...
Simultaneous occurrence of multiple neoplasms and hyperplasias in the adrenal and thyroid gland of the horse resembling multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome: case report and retrospective identification of additional cases. Neoplastic and hyperplastic disorders that affect multiple endocrine tissues in a single individual are well described in humans but less so in domestic animals. Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) in humans is a genetically determined syndrome characterized by the appearance of benign or malignant proliferations within two or more endocrine glands. The primary endocrine tumors that are characteristic of MEN arise from cells that share the capacity for amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation. Here we describe the case of a 22-year-old Thoroughbred mare that died during an unattended parturit...
CT examination of the guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) in Przewalski’s Horse (Equus przewalskii). The domestic horse (Equus caballus) have the large symmetrical guttural pouches (the auditory tube diverticulum) formed by saccate bulge of the auditory tube. In this study, CT examination was carried out in the head of Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii), the only true wild horse living at present. As results of the examination, Przewalski's horse possessed the large symmetrical guttural pouches divided into medial and lateral compartments by the stylohyoid bone. Moreover, the right and left guttural pouches meet each other at the median part to form a thin septum. As CT sections get close...
The identification of abnormal behaviour and behavioural problems in stabled horses and their relationship to horse welfare: a comparative review. Many behaviours in domestic animals, such as the 'stable vices' of horses, are treated because they are considered undesirable for economic or cultural reasons, and not because the activity affects the horse's quality of life. The impact of a behaviour on the human reporter is not a function of its impact on the animal performer, and an understanding of the causes and effects of the particular activity is necessary to assess the costs and benefits of treatment. Where the behaviour is a sign of poor welfare, such as an inadequate environment, treatment can best be achieved by removing these und...
Density of sand flies (Diptera: psychodidae) in domestic and wild animal shelters in an area of visceral Leishmaniasis in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The objective of the present study was to determine the association of sand flies with the presence of domestic and wild animals in the peridomiciliary area. The sand flies were collected using direct aspiration and CDC light traps placed in animal shelters. The results suggest that different sand flies species have different behavioral characteristics in an apparent preference for animal baits and that Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. evandroi were the most eclectic species regarding their biotope choice. Lu. longipalpis showed a distinct preference for horses and Lu. evandroi for armadillos.
162 cases of aldicarb intoxication in Georgia domestic animals from 1988-1998. A 10-y retrospective study of aldicarb intoxication in domestic animals from 1988 to 1998 is provided from animals submitted to the University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory. Within the period examined, 162 separate cases were confirmed and 18 additional cases were suspected based on bioassay but could not be confirmed. Some cases involving as many as 15 affected animals. Dogs were most often involved, but cats, horses, cattle and goats were also poisoned. Most intoxications appeared intentional or malicious. "Baits" including frankfurters, ham or ground beef w...
Morphological character of the shoulder and leg skeleton in Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii). The skeletal feature was observed in Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) and the domestic horse (E. caballus). As results of the observations, remarkable differences were found in the scapula. The caudal border of the scapula in Przewalski's horse is curved in the caudal direction more than that of the domestic horse. Moreover, in the domestic horse, the sharp caudal border is formed by the shift of the outer muscular line (Linea muscularis) to the border. In Przewalski's horse, however, the caudal border is rounded because the outer muscular line does not shift to the border but lies besid...
Tetracycline resistance in Staphylococcus spp. from domestic animals. A total of 838 staphylococcal isolates representing 19 different species were obtained from cattle, cats, dogs, ducks, guinea pigs, horses, mink, pigeons, pigs, rabbits, and turkeys. From these 228 (27.2%) isolates were shown to be resistant to tetracycline and to carry one or two of the tetracycline resistance (tet) genes tet (K), tet (L), tet (M), or tet (O) with seven different distribution patterns. Additional resistances to one or more antibiotics were observed in 153 (67.1%) of the tetracycline resistant isolates. The tet (M) gene was found in 94.3% of the resistant S. intermedius isolat...
[Are zoo Przewalski horses domesticated horses?]. Analysed were the brain case capacities and brain weights of wild przewalski horses, przewalski horses from zoological gardens and domesticated horses. Domesticated horses have about 14% less brain case capacity and 16% less brain weight than wild przewalski horses. Przewalski horses from zoological gardens also have about 14% less brain capacity than wild przewalski horses. The brain weight of przewalski horses from zoological gardens shows no difference to the brain weight of domesticated horses. If we look at the brain size, przewalski horses from zoological gardens are domesticated horses....
In vitro comparison of cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic activities in human, dog, cat, and horse. As domestic animals such as cat, horse, and dog increasingly become the clinical targets for drug discovery programs, the need to understand how these animals metabolize xenobiotics becomes more important. In the present study, substrates and inhibitors that were reported to be selective for particular P450 isozymes were used as probes to study in vitro metabolism in horse, dog, cat, and human liver microsomes. Seven selective catalytic activity markers for cytochrome P450-mediated reactions were measured: phenacetin O-deethylase (P4501A1/2), coumarin 7-hydroxylase (P4502A6), tolbutamide hydro...
Can studies of feral horse behaviour be used for assessing domestic horse welfare? DELETE:
The last known ‘wild’ horse was the Przewalski (e.f. prezewalskii), which lived until fairly recently in its natural state in Mongolia. Although little is known of their social organisation in the wild, a number of studies have been carried out of their behaviour in captive conditions. Attempts are now being made to reintroduce them into more natural conditions than the zoos and private collections in which most of them are currently maintained (Keiper and Receveur 1992). Although there is a lack of information about truly wild horse behaviour, a number of studies, such as that d...
Higher prevalence of Borna disease virus infection in blood donors living near thoroughbred horse farms. It is believed that Borna disease virus (BDV), an etiological agent of progressive polioencephalomyelitis in horses and sheep, is closely associated with psychiatric disorders in humans since the prevalence of BDV is higher in psychiatric patients than in blood donors. We investigated whether or not BDVs in humans are derived from infected domestic animals, by characterizing the BDVs in blood donors and horses derived from the same region of Hokkaido island, Japan. The seroprevalences (2.6 to 14.8%) of BDV were significantly higher in the blood donors from four regions where most horse farms a...
Herpesviral abortion in domestic animals. Abortion or neonatal disease may follow infection with several alpha, beta and gamma-herpesviruses. The alpha-herpesvirus, equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), causes single or epizootic abortions or neonatal deaths in equids, and the closely related virus EHV-4 causes sporadic equine abortions. In cattle, the alpha-herpesviruses, bovine herpesvirus-1 (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus) and bovine herpesvirus-5 (bovine encephalitis virus), and a gamma-herpesvirus, bovine herpesvirus-4, have all been implicated as causes of abortion. In pigs, suid herpesvirus-1 (SHV-1: pseudorabies virus), an alp...
Characterization of five monoclonal antibodies specific for swine class II major histocompatibility antigens and crossreactivity studies with leukocytes of domestic animals. A set of five monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against porcine major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or swine leukocyte antigens (SLA), class II molecules has been characterized. These mAbs appear to recognize monomorphic determinants on SLA-DR (2F4, 1F12 and 2E9/13) and SLA-DQ (BL2H5 and BL4H2) molecules, as assessed by flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation. By Western blot, the 2F4, 1F12, BL2H5 and BL4H2 epitopes were located on the beta-chains of these molecules. mAbs 2F4 and 1F12 crossreact with leucocytes of dog, cattle, horse and human; mAbs 2E9/13, BL2H5 and BL4H2 bind leucocytes of cattl...
Adherence of Borrelia burgdorferi to granulocytes of different animal species. Adherence of 4 Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi strains (z7/22, z7/27, z7/41, PBi) to polymorphonuclear granulocytes from different domestic animals (horses, cattle, sheep, dogs) was investigated. All 4 strains adhered to the granulocytes. Binding assays indicated that the adherence occurred between structures on the surface of the borreliae ("binding-sites") and on the membranes of the granulocytes ("receptors"). The "receptors" consisted of 4 fractions (A, B, C, and D) with components differing in molecular weight (MW) and binding activity for proteins on the surface of B. burgdorferi. Fraction A (...
Immunohistochemical examination of light-chain expression (lambda/kappa ratio) in canine, feline, equine, bovine and porcine plasma cells. Five species of domestic animals were examined immunohistochemically and the light-chain ratios of the immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells analysed. Forty dogs, 11 cats, 10 horses, 11 cattle and 14 pigs were tested using the sequential indirect immunoperoxidase and immunophosphatase methods. Tissues from the tonsils, spleen and cervical lymph nodes were analysed. It could be seen that the lambda/kappa ratio in dogs, cats, horses and cattle is largely dominated by the lambda chains (lambda/kappa ratio in dogs: 91/9%, in cats; 92/8%; in horses: 96/4%; in cattle: 91/9%). A more or less balan...
Diagnostic results in animal dermatophytoses. Superficial mycoses caused by dermatophytes, as well as asymptomatic carriership of dermatophytes, have a high prevalence among domestic animals and pets. We examined 606 clinical specimens from skin lesions of animals with a significant tendency towards superficial mycosis due to their clinical features. Samples were obtained from horses, dogs, cats, small rodents, birds, and rabbits. The specimens were examined by microscopic and cultural techniques. Microscopically, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of structures which may develop fungal elements between the groups cultu...
Epidemiological aspects of the Brazilian spotted fever: serological survey of dogs and horses in an endemic area in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. In order to obtain information on Brazilian spotted fever, a study in domestic animals was performed in the County of Pedreira, State of São Paulo, Brazil, where 17 human cases had been notified. Serum samples obtained from animals were tested by indirect immunofluorescence for detectable antibodies to spotted fever-group rickettsiae. Seropositivity was revealed in 12 (36.4%) of 33 dogs and seven (77.8%) of nine horses from the endemic area. For comparison, blood samples from dogs and horses from non endemic area were tested and four (12.9%) of 31 dogs and three (27.3%) of 11 horses were posi...
Comparative morphology of the pectinate ligaments of domestic mammals, as observed under the dissecting microscope and the scanning electron microscope. The pectinate ligaments of ten horses, two donkeys, five oxen, five sheep, ten goats, five dogs, five cats, thirty pigs and two rabbits were studied under the stereomicroscope and the scanning electron microscope. In the horse and the donkey, the pectinate ligament was very prominent and was characterized by sturdy interconnected strands and relatively small intertrabecular spaces. The pectinate ligaments of ruminants were composed of shorter strands, separated by relatively larger spaces. Fusion between adjacent strands, resulting in the formation of fenestrated sheets, was regularly observed...
Rift Valley fever in Nigeria: infections in domestic animals. Between 1986 and 1989, 2,255 sera collected from six domestic animal species in Nigeria were tested for antibodies to Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. In addition, a longitudinal study was carried out from July 1987 to December 1988, using ten sentinel flocks on four farms at Ibadan and Ile-Ife, to determine the activity of RVF virus (RVFV). All samples were tested for haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies and positive sera were further screened, using the plaque reduction neutralisation test. Of 2,255 samples, 259 (11.5%) had haemagglutination-inhibiting and neutralising antibodies, as follow...
[Preservation of genetic variation in domestic animals using biotechnical methods]. The conservation of endangered breeds as live animals is at present the main national strategy of the government and breeding organizations to maintain genetic diversity. Fourty-three breeds and some old strains of cattle, pig, sheep, goat and horses are currently involved. Cryopreservation and banks for sperm, embryos or DNA are another type of genetic material which could subsequently be used for breeding and production in agriculture. Present semen banks involve 9 endangered cattle breeds and also a small amount of deep-frozen sperm of some endangered sheep and horse breeds. Only 2 embryo b...
[Wild horse or domesticated horse? Horse remains from the neolithic settlement in Pestenacker, Bavaria]. The bone finds from the neolithic settlement in Pestenacker (near Landsberg am Lech) date back to the second half of the 4th millennium BC (Altheim). Like in any other late neolithic horse bones, the question we have to deal with is whether they represent the remains of wild horse or early domestic horse, as we do not know for certain yet the date of the earliest domestic horses' occurrence in Middle Europe. The post pleistocene distribution of the wild horse is described. For a long time people thought that hardly any wild horses existed in post pleistocene Middle Europe any longer, due to th...