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Topic:Equids
Equids are members of the family Equidae, which includes modern horses, donkeys, and zebras, as well as extinct species. Equids are characterized by their long limbs, single-toed hooves, and herbivorous diet, which is primarily composed of grasses. Horses, specifically, have been domesticated for thousands of years and have played significant roles in agriculture, transportation, and sport. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equids and horses, including their evolution, physiology, behavior, and interactions with humans. The collected works provide insights into the genetic diversity, adaptive traits, and conservation efforts related to equid species.
Effects of equine sperm incubation under capacitation-supporting conditions on homologous and heterologous ICSI outcomes. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses has become sufficiently efficient to be considered for clinical and commercial application; however, several factors influencing its efficiency remain poorly understood. This study evaluated whether incubating equine sperm under capacitating conditions induces capacitation-associated changes and affects embryo development following homologous equine ICSI, as well as oocyte activation, early cleavage, and 5-methylcytosine (5 mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels following heterologous ICSI using bovine oocytes. Equine spermatozoa were ...
Three-year evaluation of anthelmintic treatment efficacy against equine strongyles in France using FECRT. Reduced anthelmintic efficacy against strongyles in equids is a widespread concern, but up-to-date field data are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate, over a three-year period, the efficacy of the anthelmintic (AH) molecules available in France (fenbendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin and moxidectin) against strongyles in equids using faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs). A total of 104 complete FECRTs (i.e., required sample size reached) were conducted in 98 groups, involving 749 equids kept in 70 facilities. Fenbendazole-resistant populations were detected in 8/9 groups (89%) from ...
Molecular detection of African horse sickness virus from selected areas in Ethiopia. Equines are vital to global economies and support millions of livelihoods. However, their productivity and welfare are severely hindered by infectious diseases such as African Horse Sickness, which causes major socio-economic losses in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023 to isolate and detect African horse sickness virus in equines across epidemic areas of Ethiopia. In total, 30 blood samples and 2 tissue representative specimens were aseptically collected from clinically sick and recently dead animals and transported under cold chain to the National ...
The effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) on stallion spermatozoa motility and vitality in vitro. This study evaluated the effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) seed extract on stallion spermatozoa quality in vitro, focusing on motility, vitality, and functional competence. In vitro spermatozoa analyses showed that fenugreek seed extract did not demonstrate overt cytotoxicity under the tested conditions: S1 = 1562 µg/mL; S2 = 781 µg/mL; S3 = 390.5 µg/mL; S4 = 195.25 µg/mL; S5 = 97.62 µg/mL; S6 = 48.81 µg/mL; S7 = 24.40 µg/mL. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) revealed a concentration- and time-dependent Treatment × Time interac...
Phenotypic Definition Influences Genetic Inference and Predictive Ability for Reining Performance in Quarter Horses Using Random Regression Models. Reining performance is influenced by subjectivity and competition structure, challenging genetic evaluation. This study estimated genetic parameters for reining performance in Brazilian Quarter Horses using random regression models (RRM) and evaluated how alternative phenotypic definitions affect genetic inference and predictive ability. A dataset comprising 21,165 longitudinal records from 1603 horses was analyzed, comparing within-group rank (RANK) and Blom-transformed rank (BLOM). Model comparison indicated that cubic RRM provided the best fit for both phenotypes. Heritability estimates wer...
High-Throughput Equine Plasma Profiling Using Laser-Assisted Rapid Evaporative Ionisation Mass Spectrometry. Remnants of erythrocyte removal from blood constitute therapeutic plasma-a water-based solution containing mainly platelets, extracellular vesicles (EVs), protein and lipid complexes and ions. Plasma-based therapies, including their use to accelerate wound healing in human and animal patients, are increasingly gaining prominence in regenerative medicine; however, methods for the optimal preparation of individual plasma are still under development. Rapid and accurate analysis of plasma composition is essential for the development of therapeutic applications and for ensuring the quality of plasm...
Growth Performance, Milk Productivity, Productive Longevity, and Milk Composition of Mugalzhar Horses. The Mugalzhar horse is an important native breed of Kazakhstan, valued for its adaptability, milk production, and meat productivity under extensive pasture-based management. This study evaluated the relationships among first-lactation milk yield, productive longevity, lifetime milk production, growth, morphometric traits, and milk composition in the Mugalzhar horse breed using data from 100 mares with complete lifetime production records, 108 adult mares and 12 stallions for morphometric evaluation, and 68 foals (35 colts and 33 fillies) for growth analysis. The study was conducted on Mugalzha...
Penile and preputial pythiosis in Saudi Arabian horses: clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes. Pythiosis, caused by , is a chronic granulomatous disease of horses characterized by invasive, ulcerative, and pyogranulomatous cutaneous lesions. Involvement of the external genitalia is uncommon and remains poorly characterized, particularly regarding environmental exposure and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological pattern, clinicopathological features, diagnostic findings, and surgical outcomes of penile and preputial genital pythiosis in a hospital-presented horse cohort. Unassigned: A retrospective study was conducted on 123 horses presented with cutaneous u...
Evaluation of an Immunoturbidometric Assay for Measurement of Total Adiponectin Concentration in Equine Serum Samples. Total adiponectin (TA) is a marker of metabolic health in equids, with values below a critical decision point of < 7.9 μg/mL conferring increased risk of laminitis. Objective: To evaluate an IT assay to measure serum [TA] in equids and to assess its correlation with [high molecular weight adiponectin] (HMWA) measured by ELISA. Methods: Total serum adiponectin concentrations from 207 adult horses were measured using both an IT assay for TA and HMWA using a previously validated ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and Passing-Bablok regression. Intra- and inter-assa...
Unveiling wolf dietary specialization on free ranging horses using forensic genetics and field monitoring. Wolves occasionally specialize on free-ranging horses when they are abundant and alternative prey is scarce, potentially reducing horse productivity, triggering conflicts with owners, and hampering conservation of both species. Yet, ecological and demographic impacts of wolf predation on horses remain poorly understood. We investigated wolf-horse interactions in NW Portugal by combining wolf monitoring, diet analysis, spatial overlap between wolf and horse activity areas, and horse pedigree reconstruction from genetically identified individuals recovered from wolf scat remains, feeding sites a...
Morphological investigation of myocardial sleeves with potential relevance to atrial fibrillation in Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters. Myocardial sleeves (MSs) are thin layers of cardiac muscle that extend from the atria into the caval and pulmonary veins. They are recognised as important structures in both initiating and maintaining atrial tachycardia, and especially atrial fibrillation (AF), which is the most clinically important cardiac arrhythmia in horses with a reported prevalence of 1.3-2% in Standardbred racehorses. In contrast, the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter (NSCT) has a much lower prevalence of AF despite experiencing similar physical demands. The purpose of this study was to describe the macro-, and micr...
Prevalence of equine lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi) infection and associated risk factors in Egypt. infection is a common parasitic respiratory disease of equines that can adversely affect animal health, welfare, and productivity. However, epidemiological information on this infection remains limited in many regions of Egypt. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and identify associated risk factors among equines in three Egyptian governorates. Unassigned: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 415 equines, including 150 donkeys, 55 mules, and 210 horses. Animals were examined for , and data on species, age, body condition, and deworming history were collected. Associations bet...
Mares with severe equine asthma exhibit a narrower trachea than geldings in a retrospective radiographic study of 189 horses. To evaluate potential relationships between sex, asthma severity, and tracheal diameter in adult horses through the use of thoracic radiography. Unassigned: This was a retrospective case-control study of horses that underwent thoracic radiography at the Université de Montréal from 2018 through 2024. Horses were classified as control, mild/moderate asthma, or severe asthma (SEA) according to the latest consensus statement on equine asthma. To account for radiographic magnification and body size, standardized ratios of tracheal diameter relative to the fifth thoracic vertebral body length and ...
Preliminary Assessment on Pathogenicity of an African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1 Strain in Guinea Pigs and Horses. African horse sickness (AHS), a noncontagious insect-borne disease affecting equids, is caused by the African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and is associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality. AHSV has nine distinct serotypes (AHSV-1 to AHSV-9). In a previous study, we characterized the genome and in vitro growth properties of AHSV/C, a cell-adapted derivative of an AHSV-1 strain imported into China 60 years ago, and verified its safety in mice. This study preliminarily explored the pathogenicity of AHSV/C in guinea pigs and horses (its natural host). Six groups of guinea pigs were ino...
Sequencing and Differential Analysis of miRNA in the Ovaries of Kazakh Horses During Estrus and Anestrus States. To reveal the regulatory role of miRNA in the estrous cycle transition of Kazakh horse ovaries and improve their reproductive efficiency, this study took the ovaries of Kazakh horses in the estrus period (DY group) and the quiescent period (DB group) as research objects. Small RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to systematically analyze the expression characteristics and functional pathways of miRNA under the two physiological states. A total of 161 million high-quality miRNA tags were obtained through sequencing. Principal component analysis showed that the intra-group repea...
Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Equines in Algeria. Limited data are available on the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in equines in Algeria. No prior molecular data existed on giardiasis in this host population. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in equines across multiple regions of Algeria, and to characterise species, subtypes and assemblages present. Methods: Between December 2021 and December 2022, 197 faecal samples were collected from 104 horses, 89 donkeys, 2 ponies, 1 zebra and 1 mule from 46 private farms,...
Assessment of Thyroid Hormones Using the Immulite 2000xpi Analyzer in Healthy Donkeys. The Immulite 2000xpi, a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)-based analyzer, is currently recommended for measuring thyroid hormones (TH) concentrations in equids. However, scarce data are available on TH measurements in donkeys using this technique. Similarly, the effects of factors such as age and gender on TH concentrations have not been assessed with this analyzer. Serum free and total T4 and T3 concentrations were measured in 40 healthy donkeys (6.1 ± 0.8 years old; 8 intact jacks and 32 jennies) and 41 horses (10.7 ± 0.5 years old; 15 stallions and 26 geldings) using the Immulite 2000xp...
Plasma and Urinary Concentrations of Synephrine in Horses Following Controlled Oral Administration. Synephrine is a sympathomimetic alkaloid of regulatory interest in both horse racing and equestrian sports, where feed‑related exposure may lead to its detection in equine blood and urine. This study characterized plasma and urinary concentrations of synephrine in horses following controlled oral administration. Six Thoroughbred horses received single oral doses of 100 mg or 800 mg synephrine, and blood and urine samples were collected sequentially. Each sample was analyzed both before and after β‑glucuronidase hydrolysis, demonstrating that synephrine was present predominantly as conjuga...
Equine upper limb kinematics: Comparison between biplanar high-speed fluoroscopic kinematography and optoelectronic motion capture in one Mini Shetland Pony. There are no studies describing the kinematics of the proximal limb skeleton in living equids. In horses like in all other therian mammals studied so far, the scapula rotates around an instantaneous center of rotation rather than a fixed pivot point, which increases the susceptibility of skin marker-based methods to inaccuracies. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the skeletal movement of the proximal equine limb and to overcome limitations traditionally associated with skin marker displacement errors. Methods: Optoelectronic motion capture (OMC) and biplanar high-speed fluoroscop...
Pre-ovulatory follicles and ipsilateral ovarian stroma are cooler than non-dominant antral follicles and stroma on the contralateral ovary of the mare. Reports in several species have demonstrated that pre-ovulatory follicles (POFs) are cooler than neighbouring ovarian tissue, with cooling important for fertility. This study measured the temperature of POFs and compared it with other regions of the ovary, cervix, and rectum to determine if POF cooling occurs in mares. Fourteen oestrous cycles in 11 mares were monitored, and when an ovarian follicle ≥38 mm was present, deslorelin was given. Thirty hours later, rectal and cervical temperature measurements were taken. Mares were sedated and ovarian temperature measurements taken using a ther...
Simple and efficient HPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous extraction and quantification of anthelmintics in equine manure. Anthelmintic treatment is a common practice in horses. The presence of pharmaceutical residues in fields and pastures is well-documented affecting various organisms, like nematodes. This study describes the development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for extracting and determining the concentrations of four commonly used anthelmintics in horse manure. Manure was initially dried, then spiked with various concentrations (10-10,000 ng) of anthelmintics and extracted using an acetonit...
Alphavirus madariaga-associated encephalomyelitis in equines from the Brazilian Pantanal reveals arbovirus circulation in a peri-urban environment. Alphavirus madariaga (MADV), a member of the eastern equine encephalitis virus complex, is an emerging arbovirus in South America, with limited information regarding its occurrence and molecular characterization in equine populations. This study reports the detection and genetic characterization of MADV in equines from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Two horses presenting acute neurological disease with a clinical course of approximately two days were evaluated. Histopathological examination revealed nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis. Molecular screening for neurotropic viruses using T...
Circadian rhythm of heart rate variability in tropical horses: age-associated autonomic alterations and environmental air pollution effects in an urban field setting. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system activity and is influenced by age, environmental conditions, and circadian rhythms. Information regarding these interactions in horses maintained under tropical conditions remains limited. This study aimed to characterize 24-h heart rate (HR) and HRV patterns in horses raised under tropical conditions and to investigate the effects of aging and environmental factors, including air pollution, on autonomic regulation. Unassigned: Fifteen clinically healthy horses aged 4-20 years were allocated to three age groups: 4-7 years, 8-14 yea...
Development of lateral flow assays for the rapid diagnosis of glanders in equids. Glanders is a contagious zoonotic disease caused by that primarily affects horses, donkeys, and mules. It remains endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, where increasing case reports highlight the need for accessible diagnostic tools. Conventional diagnostic methods are limited by high costs and specialized laboratory requirements, whereas lateral flow assays (LFAs) offer practical, user-friendly, and rapid alternatives. In this study, we developed three LFAs targeting antibodies against the antigens Hcp1, GroEL, and whole-cell lysate (WCL), previously identifi...
First reported case of Parafilaria bovicola infection in a horse (Equus caballus). This study reports the infection, diagnosis and treatment of the nematode Parafilaria bovicola in a horse (Equus caballus) in France. A soft, fluctuated and non-painful subcutaneous nodule was observed under the right eye. Ultrasound revealed a mobile verminous element in a fluid cyst. A nematode was surgically extracted from the cyst and further identified as Parafilaria bovicola by sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. This first report indicates that horses can be accidental hosts of P. bovicola in enzootic areas.
Preliminary investigation of ghrelin in horses and ponies: receptor expression and associations with prandial state, morphometry and signalment. The hormone ghrelin has had limited attention in Equidae, despite connections with appetite and metabolic health in other species. Ghrelin influences hunger and food intake, energy expenditure and storage, glucose metabolism, and thermoregulation, through its receptor-mediated effects on tissues and via interaction with other hormones. There are two circulating forms, acylated and des-acylated ghrelin, considered to have distinct effects on metabolism in other species. The aims of this study were to confirm the presence of ghrelin receptors in equine tissues, to validate an assay for the measu...
Maxillary and mandibular fracture repair using a modified bis-acryl reinforced interdental wiring technique: Description of the technique and report of 11 cases. Repair options for maxillary and mandibular fractures in horses are dictated by the proximity of dentition, fracture configuration, and implant design. Jaw fractures can be repaired by minimising tension forces via intraoral splint constructs when dentition is present on either side of the fracture line. This repair option reduces iatrogenic damage to dentition while achieving reduction and stability until appliance removal. Objective: To first report a modified technique for jaw fracture repair in horses with cadaveric example images. Second, to report the clinical outcome of maxillary and ma...
