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Topic:Equine Health
Equine health encompasses the study and management of diseases, disorders, and overall well-being of horses. It involves understanding various physiological systems, preventive care, and treatment strategies to maintain optimal health in equine populations. Common areas of focus include nutrition, infectious diseases, orthopedic conditions, and reproductive health. Research in equine health aims to advance knowledge on diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions, and management practices that improve horse welfare and performance. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse aspects of equine health, offering insights into current findings and advancements in the field.
Equine herpesvirus-1 infection induces IFN-gamma production by equine T lymphocyte subsets. A commercial bovine IFN-gamma-specific monoclonal antibody was used to measure antigen-specific IFN-gamma production by equine lymphocytes. Paired PBMC samples were collected from six ponies prior to and 10 days after challenge infection with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Each sample was stimulated in vitro with EHV-1, virus-free medium, or PMA and ionomycin, and labelled with monoclonal antibodies specific for various equine lymphocyte subset markers. Following fixation, intracellular IFN-gamma was detected using a FITC-conjugated bovine IFN-gamma-specific monoclonal antibody. In vitro restim...
Liquid-vapor interfacial tension of blood plasma, serum and purified protein constituents thereof. A systematic study of water-air (liquid-vapor, LV) interfacial tension gamma(lv) of blood plasma and serum derived from four different mammalian species (human, bovine, ovine and equine) reveals nearly identical concentration-dependence (dgamma(lv)/dlnC(B); where C(B) is plasma/serum dilution expressed in v/v concentration units). Comparison of results to a previously-published survey of purified human-blood proteins further reveals that dgamma(lv)/dlnC(B) of plasma and serum is surprisingly similar to that of purified protein constituents. It is thus concluded that any combination of blood-pr...
Epidemiological study of equine piroplasmosis in Mongolia. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the occurrence of equine piroplasmosis in Mongolia, a country in which the disease occurs epidemically in different climatic conditions. Antibodies to Babesia equi and B. caballi were determined in serum samples of 254 pastured horses in different locations of Mongolia using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant antigens. One hundred and eighty-five (72.8%) and 102 (40.1%) of all serum samples were positive for B. equi and B. caballi infections, respectively. In addition, 78 (30.7%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. cabal...
Parasitemia in an immunocompetent horse experimentally challenged with Sarcocystis neurona sporocysts. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurological disease of horses in Americans. Most cases are attributed to infection of the central nervous system with Sarcocystis neurona. Parasitemia has not been demonstrated in immunocompetent horses, but has been documented in one immunocompromised foal. The objective of this study was to isolate viable S. neurona from the blood of immunocompetent horses. Horses used in this study received orally administered S. neurona sporocysts (strain SN 37-R) daily for 112 days at the following doses: 100/day for 28 days, followed by 500/day for 2...
Stage-specific formation of the equine blastocyst capsule is instrumental to hatching and to embryonic survival in vivo. Early embryonic development in the horse is characterized by the formation of an unusual acellular glycoprotein "capsule" between the trophectoderm and the overlying zona pellucida. This structure is first detected between days 6 and 7 after ovulation and completely envelops the spherical conceptus until as late as day 23 of gestation. In the present study, a micromanipulator was used to remove the capsule from 15 embryos on day 6-7 after ovulation. None of these denuded embryos developed into ultrasonographically detectable pregnancies after surgical transfer into recipient mares whereas four...
[Latex agglutination system for the rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis in Cuba]. To assess the sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and stability of five latex agglutination systems for detecting antibodies against leptospira in human and animal sera, by using the Leptospira serotypes that are most widely prevalent in Cuba. Methods: We performed an analytic and descriptive study with 706 human sera (65 tested positive for antibodies against leptospira with microagglutination (MAT) and hemagglutination (HA) techniques; 156 sera that tested negative with MAT and HA); 485 sera from 424 patients who had clinical or epidemiologic signs of leptospirosis; and 29 animal sera...
Expression and subcellular localization of the mu-opioid receptor in equine spermatozoa: evidence for its functional role. The development of fertilizing ability in sperm cells is associated with changes in the plasma membrane. However, to date the exact nature of sequentially activated primary receptors and channels and the signal transduction pathways derived from these remains elusive. We analyzed the expression and localization of the mu-opioid receptor in equine spermatozoa. A transcript corresponding to the third extracellular loop that selectively binds mu agonists was amplified, sequenced and compared with the known sequences in humans, rats and cattle. The amplification product showed a high degree of nuc...
The prevalence of apoptotic keratinocytes in equine epidermis: a retrospective light-microscopic study of skin-biopsy specimens from 253 horses with normal skin or inflammatory dermatoses. A retrospective study was performed to assess the prevalence of apoptotic epidermal keratinocytes in biopsy specimens from 226 horses with inflammatory dermatoses and from 27 normal specimens. One or more apoptotic keratinocytes were found in specimens from 28 of 226 (12%) horses with various dermatoses, and in one of 27 (4%) specimens from normal horses. The prevalence (proportion of cases with apoptotic epidermal keratinocytes) of apoptotic keratinocytes in the group composed of discoid lupus erythematosus, erythema multiforme, photodermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus was significan...
The role of the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles in equine locomotion. Muscles have two major roles in locomotion: to generate force and to absorb/generate power (do work). Economical force generation is achieved by short-fibred pennate muscle while the maximum power output of a muscle is architecture independent. In this study we tested the hypothesis that there is an anatomical and structural separation between the force-generating anti-gravity muscles and the propulsive (limb/trunk moving) muscles of the equine forelimb. Muscle mass and fascicle length measurements were made on the thoracic limb extrinsic muscles of six fresh horse cadavers. Physiological cros...
Articular calcified cartilage canals in the third metacarpal bone of 2-year-old thoroughbred racehorses. We describe morphological aspects of the articular calcified cartilage mineralizing front 'tidemark' in the distal joint surface of the third metacarpal bone from 14 horses. Compositional backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning light microscopy were conducted on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-embedded medio-lateral slices. After maceration, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the calcified cartilage surface in the 'wedges' intervening between the slices. An anatomically reproducible clustering of canals in the calcified cartilage was found at o...
Relationships between sexual behaviour, dominant follicle area, uterus ultrasonic image and pregnancy rate in mares of two breeds differing in reproductive efficiency. Weak or equivocal expression of oestrous behaviour, related to different level of mares' reactivity, may cause problems in oestrus detection and thus influence the reproductive efficiency. The aim of the study was to test whether a breed characterised by low pregnancy rate and high emotional reactivity (Thoroughbreds) differs in oestrous behaviour from a primitive breed with higher reproductive efficiency (Koniks). Additionally, the follicle size was examined to determine how it influences the intensity of oestrus and uterine ultrasonic image and whether the pregnancy rate differs in relation ...
New insights into the skeletal muscle phenotype of equine motor neuron disease: a quantitative approach. Equine motor neuron disease (EMND) is a neurodegenerative disorder similar to the sporadic form of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study was conducted to quantify myofiber plasticity in response to EMND. Deep M. gluteus medius biopsy samples from eight horses with an ante mortem diagnosis of EMND, which in five cases was later confirmed by post mortem examination of spinal cord and peripheral nerves, were examined by combined methodologies of electrophoresis of myosin heavy chains (MyHC), muscle enzymes and substrate biochemistry, immunohistochemistry of MyHCs and sarcoendoplasmic Ca...
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for identification and differentiation of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. The closely related streptococcal species Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and S. equi subsp. equi were identified by polymerase chain reaction using oligonucleotide primers designed according to species-specific parts of the superoxide dismutase A encoding gene sodA. A further differentiation of both subspecies could be performed by amplification of the genes seeH and seeI encoding the exotoxins SeeH and SeeI, respectively, which could be detected for S. equi subsp. equi but not for S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. A further simplification of the identification and differentiation of both...
Survey of the provision of prophylactic dental care for horses in Great Britain and Ireland between 1999 and 2002. A survey of 854 horse owners, trainers and equestrian managers in 10 regions of Great Britain and Ireland showed that 83 per cent provided their horses with routine prophylactic dental care at fixed intervals, including 49 per cent at intervals of 12 months and 30 per cent at intervals of six months; a further 10 per cent provided it only when they felt it was required and 7 per cent did not provide it at all. Overall, 44 per cent of the owners had their horse's wolf teeth (first premolar) extracted routinely; when prophylactic dentistry was provided, it was carried out solely by equine dental...
Sources and magnitude of variation of echocardiographic measurements in normal standardbred horses. The purpose of this study was to assess the intraobserver variation of various echocardiographic measures in standardbred trotters. Serial echocardiographic examinations were carried out on eight standardbred mares by one ultrasonographer for 5 separate days. During each examination, five nonconsecutive cardiac cycles (frames) were recorded and an average obtained for each individual measure. Various echocardiographic measures were obtained by use of two-dimensional (2-D), M-mode, color flow Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography. The total variation in the echocardiographic measurem...
Repeated intraarticular injections of triamcinolone acetonide alter cartilage matrix metabolism measured by biomarkers in synovial fluid. Although intraarticular (IA) corticosteroids are frequently used to treat joint disease, the effects of their repeated use on articular cartilage remains controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of a clinically recommended dose of IA triamcinolone acetonide (TA), on synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers of cartilage metabolism. Ten adult horses, free of osteoarthritis (OA) in their radiocarpal joints, were studied. One radiocarpal joint of each horse was randomly chosen for treatment and the contralateral anatomically paired joint acted as the control. Aseptic arthrocentesis w...
Enhanced concentration of COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) in osteochondral fractures from racing Thoroughbreds. The aim of the present study was to correlate the levels of COMP and aggrecan as indicators of tissue damage, in synovial fluid (sf) from carpal joints of acutely lame racehorses, with macroscopical lesions of articular cartilage (OA), osteochondral fractures and ligament tears found at arthroscopy. Sixty-three lame horses [49 Standardbred trotters (STB) and 14 Thoroughbreds (TB)] in conventional training and racing that underwent arthroscopy of their middle carpal or radiocarpal joints were included in the study. Intact as well as fragmented COMP and aggrecan released into the synovial fluid ...
Dual transduction of insulin-like growth factor-I and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein controls cartilage degradation in an osteoarthritic culture model. This study evaluated the potential of gene induced synoviocyte expression of a combination of insulin-like growth factor-I (AdIGF-I) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (AdIL-1Ra) to control articular cartilage degradation in vitro. Cartilage explants and synovial membrane were harvested from young mature horses. Synovial monolayers were established and either (1) maintained as untransduced controls; (2) transduced with AdIGF-I at 200 MOI in 500 microl serum-free medium; (3) transduced with AdIL-1Ra at 100 MOI; or (4) transduced with a combination of AdIGF-I (200 MOI) and AdIL-1Ra (1...
Motion-correction techniques for standing equine MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the distal extremities of the standing, sedated horse would be desirable if diagnostic quality images could be obtained. With the availability of extremity and special purpose magnet designs on the market, a system to safely accommodate the standing horse may gain increasing popularity. This paper considers the issue of motion that will need to be addressed to achieve successful, diagnostic quality images. The motion of the carpus and tarsus of five standing, sedated horses was quantified. The obtained motion records were then used to induce motion in cadave...
Radiographic and pathologic characterization of lateral palmar intercarpal ligament avulsion fractures in the horse. In this study, the radiographic and histologic appearance of lateral palmar intercarpal ligament (LPICL) avulsion in the horse was characterized. Thirty-seven horses with radiographic evidence of avulsion fragments originating from the medial palmar aspect of the ulnar carpal bone were examined. The dorsolateral to palmaromedial projection was useful for evaluating the size and shape of the avulsed bone fragment, and the dorsopalmar projection added information on the relative proximity of the fragment to its fracture bed. Radiographic features that differentiated LPICL avulsion from subchondr...
Successful infestation by Amblyomma pseudoconcolor and A. cooperi (Acari: Ixodidae) on horses. The host relationships for most species of the genus Amblyomma are poorly known in Brazil. The ability of A. pseudoconcolor and A. cooperi to successfully feed on horses was investigated during ongoing research on the life cycle of these two species, which are primarily associated with wildlife. Results of these experiments suggest that horses are potential hosts for the adult stages of both species.
Local utilization of metacresolsulfonic acid combined with streptomycin in the treatment of actinomycosis. The effectiveness of combining metacresolsufonic acid with streptomycin in the treatment of actinomycosis, diagnosed either clinically or in the laboratory, was evaluated in 12 bovines and 2 equines. Eighty-seven percent of treated animals were considered clinically cured and did not show any signs of relapse after a six-month follow-up period. Therapeutic diagnosis by clinical observation was the procedure of choice when it was not possible to obtain laboratory diagnosis.
Specificity of serum neutralizing antibodies induced by transient immune suppression of inapparent carrier ponies infected with a neutralization-resistant equine infectious anemia virus envelope strain. It has been previously reported that transient corticosteroid immune suppression of ponies experimentally infected with a highly neutralization resistant envelope variant of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), designated EIAV(DeltaPND), resulted in the appearance of type-specific serum antibodies to the infecting EIAV(DeltaPND) virus. The current study was designed to determine if this induction of serum neutralizing antibodies was associated with changes in the specificity of envelope determinants targeted by serum antibodies or caused by changes in the nature of the antibodies targeted to...
Nonfatal injury rates of Utah agricultural producers. The purposes of this study were to identify the source and frequency of agricultural injuries in Utah, and determine an injury rate for common agricultural activities. Previous studies conducted in Utah examined injury rates by utilizing emergency room logs. This study collected data directly from the source, farmers and ranchers in Utah, and included all modes of treatment. A random sample of Utah Farm Bureau members were mailed questionnaires to assess the number of injuries occurring during the past three years, the mode of treatment for the most recent injury, and the percentage of time sp...
A hypothesis: the conjunction of soldiers, gas, pigs, ducks, geese and horses in northern France during the Great War provided the conditions for the emergence of the “Spanish” influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919 was a cataclysmic outbreak of infection wherein over 50 million people died worldwide within 18 months. The question of the origin is important because most influenza surveillance at present is focussed on S.E. Asia. Two later pandemic viruses in 1957 and 1968 arose in this region. However we present evidence that early outbreaks of a new disease with rapid onset and spreadability, high mortality in young soldiers in the British base camp at Etaples in Northern France in the winter of 1917 is, at least to date, the most likely focus of origin of the pa...
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in species of veterinary interest. This review summarises selected aspects of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is not intended to be comprehensive, in that it covers neither minor species nor several important aspects of NSAID PD. The limited objective of the review is to summarise those aspects of NSAID PK and PD, which are important to an understanding of PK-PD integration and PK-PD modelling (the subject of the next review in this issue). The general features of NSAID PK are: usually good bioavailability from oral, intramuscular and subcutaneous administ...
Reduction of twin pregnancy in the mare by transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration. Diagnosis and management of twin pregnancies in the mare are an ongoing challenge in equine reproduction. Early detection of twin and manual crush of one vesicle are the main steps in the management of twins. Few studies were carried out about the use of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUGA) for reduction of twins in the mare. In this study, the efficiency of TUGA for management of twin pregnancies was investigated. Reduction of unicornuate twins between 16 and 25 days of gestation gave a success rate of 70.0% (14 viable foals/20 twin pregnancies); when reduction was performed after...
Effect of submaximal exercise on horse homocysteinaemia: possible implications for immune cells. Physical exercise induces a reduction of immune defences and an imbalance of red-ox status. In this study plasma levels of cysteine and homocysteine (Hcy) were determined in horses before and after submaximal treadmill exercise as well as the effect on horse lymphocyte proliferation. The exercise induced a significant increase in plasma Hcy levels, which remained high both after the 20 min recovery period and after 2 h of rest. Moreover, a reduction of lymphocyte responsiveness to the proliferative stimulus induced by Concanavalin A was observed. The effects of different Hcy concentrations on ...
