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.
Ryu SH, Bak UB, Kim JG, Yoon HJ, Seo HS, Kim JT, Park JY, Lee CW.A 7-year-old Thoroughbred horse was admitted to the Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Association with signs of colic. Based on the size of impactions, the clinical signs, the results of abdominal paracentesis and medical treatment, the prognosis was poor. The horse died 3 hours later following hopeless discharge. At necropsy, the caecum and large colon were fully filled with fecal contents and there was a rupture (10 cm in dia) in the latero- ventral caecum. The mucosa of the ileo-caecal and caeco- colic valves appeared to the hyperemic, edematous and ulcerous. There were many tapeworms in the af...
Raudsepp T, Lear TL, Chowdhary BP.The X chromosomes of the extant equids, in general, share morphology and banding pattern similarities. However, the donkey X is, in part, an exception because of significantly different centromeric index and variant banding patterns in the pericentromeric region. To verify the underlying molecular basis of this difference, twelve equine BAC clones were FISH mapped to donkey (EAS) and Hartmann's mountain zebra (EZH) metaphase spreads. Loci from the terminal region of Xp and distal to terminal regions of the Xq showed the same order and relative position in all three species, implying cross-spec...
Saito S, Ugai H, Sawai K, Yamamoto Y, Minamihashi A, Kurosaka K, Kobayashi Y, Murata T, Obata Y, Yokoyama K.Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells with the potential capacity to generate any type of cell. We describe here the isolation of pluripotent ES-like cells from equine blastocysts that have been frozen and thawed. Our two lines of ES-like cells (E-1 and E-2) appear to maintain a normal diploid karyotype indefinitely in culture in vitro and to express markers that are characteristic of ES cells from mice, namely, alkaline phosphatase, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1, STAT-3 and Oct 4. After culture of equine ES-like cells in vitro for more than 17 passages, some ES-like cells diffe...
Maleski K, Magdesian KG, LaFranco-Scheuch L, Pappagianis D, Carlson GP.A 13-day-old foal with profound tachypnoea and respiratory distress was examined. Thoracic radiographs revealed a severe, diffuse miliary pattern, and the foal was markedly hypoxaemic. It failed to improve with empirical treatment, and was euthanased. Lesions associated with Coccidioides immitis infection were identified at postmortem examination, and were limited to the lower respiratory tract.
The Journal of physiologyNovember 15, 2002
Volume 547, Issue Pt 1 67-76 doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027409
Giussani DA, Forhead AJ, Gardner DS, Fletcher AJ, Allen WR, Fowden AL.This study used between-breed embryo transfer in the horse to investigate the effects of maternal size and uterine capacity on fetal growth and postnatal cardiovascular and neuroendocrine functions. Equine embryos were transferred to establish eight Thoroughbred-in-Thoroughbred (TinT), seven Pony-in-Pony (PinP), five Thoroughbred-in-Pony (TinP) and eight Pony-in-Thoroughbred (PinT), pregnancies. Maternal and foal weights and placental microscopic area were measured at birth. At 6 days of postnatal life, arterial blood pressure and heart rate were monitored and blood samples were taken for horm...
Ohmura H, Hiraga A, Aida H, Kuwahara M, Tsubone H.To determine the effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous functions in young Thoroughbreds. Methods: 63 healthy Thoroughbreds. Methods: All horses were trained to be handled and initially ridden in September of the yearling year and then trained until the following April by conventional training regimens. To obtain the heart rate (HR), electrocardiograms were recorded in the stable before initial handling and training and following 7 months of training; variations in HR were then evaluated from the power spectrum in terms of the low frequency (LF; 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) power an...
Lorenzo-Figueras M, Merritt AM.To assess effects of exercise on a treadmill with changes in gastric volume and pH in the proximal portion of the stomach of horses. Methods: 3 healthy adult horses. Methods: A polyester bag of approximately 1,600 mL was placed into the proximal portion of the stomach of each horse via a nasogastric tube. Changes in bag volume, determined by an electronic barostat, were recorded before, during, and after a training session on a treadmill with and without prior withholding of food. In separate experiments, pH in the proximal portion of the stomach was continuously recorded during exercise for f...
Van Hoogmoed LM, Snyder JR, Harmon FA.To evaluate the effect of 2 cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors on contractile activity of the circular smooth muscle layer of the equine dorsal and ventral colon. Methods: Samples of the dorsal and ventral colon obtained from 10 healthy horses. Methods: Full-thickness tissue samples were collected from the dorsal colon in the area of the diaphragmatic flexure and the ventral colon in the area of the sternal flexure. Samples were cut into strips oriented along the fibers of the circular muscle layer and mounted in a tissue bath system for determination of contractile strength. Incremental amount...
Koenig JB, Cote N, LaMarre J, Harris WH, Trout DR, Kenney DG, Monteith G.To identify and characterize motilin receptors in equine duodenum, jejunum, cecum, and large colon and to determine whether erythromycin lactobionate competes with porcine motilin for binding to these receptors. Methods: Specimens of various segments of the intestinal tracts of 4 adult horses euthanatized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: Cellular membranes were prepared from smooth muscle tissues of the duodenum, jejunum, pelvic flexure, and cecum. Affinity and distribution of motilin binding on membrane preparations were determined by use of 125I-labeled synth...
Schwartz AJ, Wilson DA, Keegan KG, Ganjam VK, Sun Y, Weber KT, Zhang J.To determine significant molecular and cellular factors responsible for differences in second-intention healing in thoracic and metacarpal wounds of horses. Methods: 6 adult mixed-breed horses. Methods: A full-thickness skin wound on the metacarpus and another such wound on the pectoral region were created, photographed, and measured, and tissue was harvested from these sites weekly for 4 weeks. Gene expression of type-I collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were determined by quantitative in situ ...
Spadavecchia C, Spadavecchia L, Andersen OK, Arendt-Nielsen L, Leandri M, Schatzmann U.To evoke and measure the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) by use of electromyographic recordings and to score the behavioral nociceptive responses to electrical pulses in standing nonsedated horses. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: The lateral palmar digital nerve of the forelimb was transcutaneously stimulated, and surface electromyographic responses were recorded from the ulnaris lateralis, extensor carpi radialis, and common digital extensor muscles. Stimuli consisted of a 25-millisecond train of 5 constant-current pulses delivered by a computer-controlled stimulator. The 80- to 250-mi...
Tesch AM, MacDonald MH, Kollias-Baker C, Benton HP.To investigate accumulation of extracellular adenosine (ADO) by equine articular chondrocytes and to compare effects of adenosine kinase inhibition and adenosine deaminase inhibition on the amount of nitric oxide (NO) produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated chondrocytes. Methods: Articular cartilage from metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 14 horses. Methods: Chondrocytes were cultured as monolayers, and cells were incubated with LPS, the adenosine kinase inhibitor 5'-iodotubercidin (ITU), or the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine hydro...
Kavar T, Brem G, Habe F, Sölkner J, Dovc P.Sequencing of the mtDNA control region (385 or 695 bp) of 212 Lipizzans from eight studs revealed 37 haplotypes. Distribution of haplotypes among studs was biased, including many private haplotypes but only one haplotype was present in all the studs. According to historical data, numerous Lipizzan maternal lines originating from founder mares of different breeds have been established during the breed's history, so the broad genetic base of the Lipizzan maternal lines was expected. A comparison of Lipizzan sequences with 136 sequences of domestic- and wild-horses from GenBank showed a clusterin...
Tada M, Kobashigawa Y, Mizuguchi M, Miura K, Kouno T, Kumaki Y, Demura M, Nitta K, Kawano K.Equine lysozyme is a calcium-binding lysozyme and an evolutional intermediate between non-calcium binding c-type lysozyme and alpha-lactalbumin. We constructed a chimeric protein by substituting the fluctuating loop of bovine alpha-lactalbumin with the D-helix of equine lysozyme. The substitution affects the protection factors not only in the fluctuating loop but also in the antiparallel beta-sheet, the A- and B-helices, and the loop between the B-helix and the beta-sheet. Amide protons in these regions of the chimera are more protected from exchange than are those of bovine alpha-lactalbumin....
Jacks S, Giguère S, Gronwall RR, Brown MP, Merritt KA.Clarithromycin offers numerous advantages over erythromycin and thus, is an attractive alternative for the treatment of Rhodococcus equi infections in foals. The disposition of clarithromycin was investigated in 6 foals after intragastric administration at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. Detectable serum concentrations of clarithromycin were found in 3 of 6 foals at 10 minutes and in all foals by 20 minutes post-administration. Time to peak serum concentration (Tmax) was 1.5 hours and peak serum concentration (Cmax) was 0.92+/-0.17 microg/ml. Mean serum concentrations decreased to 0.03 microg/...
Papich MG, Van Camp SD, Cole JA, Whitacre MD.Enrofloxacin was administered i.v. to five adult mares at a dose of 5 mg/kg. After administration, blood and endometrial biopsy samples were collected at regular intervals for 24 h. The plasma and tissue samples were analyzed for enrofloxacin and the metabolite ciprofloxacin by high-pressure liquid chromatography. In plasma, enrofloxacin had a terminal half-life (t(1/2)), volume of distribution (area method), and systemic clearance of 6.7 +/- 2.9 h, 1.9 +/- 0.4 L/kg, and 3.7 +/- 1.4 mL/kg/min, respectively. Ciprofloxacin had a maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 0.28 +/- 0.09 microg/mL. In ...
Dolente BA, Wilkins PA, Boston RC.To detect subclinical disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in horses with colitis and to determine any association between the diagnosis of subclinical DIC and outcome or occurrence of complications in horses with colitis. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 37 horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital for treatment of acute colitis. Methods: Coagulation profiles were obtained on each horse 0, 24, and 48 hours after admission. Six tests were performed: platelet count, plasma fibrinogen concentration, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin activit...
Peroni JF, Stick JA.To describe a single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach to the stifle joint in horses and to determine the clinical outcome in horses with femorotibial joint disease in which this approach was used. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 23 adult horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on clinical outcome in horses in which the single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach was used. Results: Twenty-nine stifle joints of 23 horses were examined arthroscopically, using the described approach. Subchondral bone cysts were treated in 19 medial femoral condyles of 12 hor...
Frye MA, Selders CG, Mama KR, Wagner AE, Bright JM.Rectilinear biphasic cardioversion was used in 2 horses with idiopathic sustained atrial fibrillation; 1 horse converted to sustained sinus rhythm. Variables that potentially affected outcome of the electrical cardioversion procedures in these horses included duration of arrhythmia, placement of cardioverter pads and paddles, serum electrolyte concentrations, and treatment with quinidine. Serum cardiac troponin I concentration, measured to determine whether the myocardium was damaged from the electrical shocks, was within the reference range in both horses after the procedure. Biphasic electri...
Hosaka Y, Kirisawa R, Yamamoto E, Ueda H, Iwai H, Takehana K.Although inflammatory activation of cytokines have been analyzed in various tissues, there have only been a few and as-yet-inconclusive studies on cytokines in equine tendons. In this study, the localizations of 4 cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IFNgamma) in tendinocytes of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) were analyzed by the use of an immunohistochemical method. In inflamed tendons positive staining for all 4 cytokines antibodies were detected in endotedinieum cells and vascular epithelial cells. In contrast, negative or trace immunoreactions were obtained in ...
O'Neill W, McKee S, Clarke AF.The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on the skin test response of atopic horses. Six horses that displayed a positive skin test for allergy to extract from Culicoides sp. participated in the 42-day, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial. Results showed that supplementation with flaxseed for 42 days in our experimental horses reduced the mean skin test response to Culicoides sp. This observation was concurrent with a significant decrease in the long-chain saturated fatty acids; behenic acid (22:0) and lignoceric acid...
Wamsley HL, Alleman AR, Porter MB, Long MT.To evaluate CSF in horses with confirmed West Nile virus encephalomyelitis. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 30 horses. Methods: Results of CSF analyses from horses with acute neurologic signs attributed to West Nile virus infection that was confirmed by immunoglobulin M antibody capture ELISA were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Among 30 CSF samples, findings in 8 (27%) were within reference ranges and in 22 (73%) were abnormal. Among the 22 abnormal samples, mononuclear pleocytosis was found in 16 (73%) and high protein concentration with nucleated cell count within reference range was...
Flaminio MJ, LaCombe V, Kohn CW, Antczak DF.A 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare that was nonresponsive to medical treatment was evaluated for chronic respiratory disease and hepatobiliary disease. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were measured by use of radial immunodiffusion that revealed trace to nondetectable concentrations of IgG, IgG(T), IgM, and IgA. Use of serum protein electrophoresis confirmed agammaglobulinemia by the absence of the expected peak in the gamma region. In addition, vaccination with tetanus toxoid did not result in specific immunoglobulin production. Flow cytometric analysis of blood lymphocyte subpopulations rev...
Rathi R, Colenbrander B, Stout TA, Bevers MM, Gadella BM.Progesterone (P(4)) is a physiological inducer of the acrosome reaction (AR) in stallion spermatozoa. However, the capacitation-dependent changes that enable progesterone binding, and the nature of the signaling cascade that is triggered by progesterone and results in induction of the AR, are poorly understood. The aim of the current study was, therefore, to investigate the protein kinase dependent signaling cascades involved in progesterone-mediated induction of the AR in stallion spermatozoa. In addition, we aimed to determine whether bicarbonate, an inducer of sperm capacitation, acted via ...
Smith MA, Ross MW.To determine features of postoperative wound infection caused by Actinobacillus spp in horses undergoing clean, elective surgery and to evaluate bacterial susceptibility profiles of bacteria isolated. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses. Methods: Data were retrieved from medical records and the microbiology laboratory database. Results: 1,604 horses underwent clean, elective surgical procedures during the study period. Of these, 23 (1.43%) had postoperative wound infections, and Actinobacillus spp was isolated from 10 of these 23 (43%). Surgical procedures in these 10 horses inclu...
Byron CR, Stick JA, Brown JA, Lugo J.A 2-year-old sexually intact male Paint horse weighing 427 kg (940 lb) was admitted for examination and treatment of intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb of 1 week's duration. Radiography revealed a displaced Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the right femoral condyle with the sagittal component of the fracture line located in the intercondylar space and the transverse component exiting on the medial aspect of the femur. The fracture was repaired with a condylar screw plate designed for repair of femoral condylar fractures in humans. The owner reported by telephone ...
Bucca S, Carli A.Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and dexamethasone have a role in the reproductive management protocols of mares susceptible to persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE). However, it is possible that there is interference between these 2 drugs. Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of hCG to induce ovulation in mares treated with dexamethasone at breeding time. Methods: Medical records from 152 mares and 223 cycles were analysed. In 113 cycles, mares susceptible to PMIE were treated with 1500 iu hCG and a single dose of 50 mg dexamethasone, 11...
Morris DD, Gaulin G, Strzemienski PJ, Spencer P.Comparison of neutrophil function was made between 8 clinically normal pony foals (3 to 7 days of age), and their dams. Random migration, stimulated migration to zymosan-activated serum, bacterial phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils were determined in vitro. Random migration was greater (P less than 0.01) and stimulated migration was less (P less than 0.01) in foals than in their dams. Bacterial phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of neutrophils were not different (P greater than 0.05) between foals and mares. Results of this study suggested that neonatal foals have altere...
Olivier-Carstens A.Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on the solar aspect of the distal phalanx of 10 feet of five normal live horses (Group 1), 22 feet of seven normal cadavers (Group 2), and nine feet of five horses with pathology of the dorsal solar aspect of the distal phalanx (Group 3). Lateromedial radiographs of the distal phalanx were made in all groups, and in Group 2, digits were sagitally sectioned after imaging. The ultrasonographic and radiographic appearance of the sagittal solar aspect of the distal phalanx was described. Measurements of the distance between the sole and the distal tip o...
Oliver GD, Gilmer GG, Barfield JW, Brittain AR.Although polo is a well-known equestrian sport, it is fundamentally misunderstood. The purpose of this study was to examine trunk and upper extremity kinematics and segmental velocities during the offside forehand polo swing between male and female athletes. Ten female and 17 male professional polo athletes volunteered. An electromagnetic tracking system collected kinematic data at 100 Hz while participants performed three offside forehand polo swings from a stationary wooden horse. One-way ANOVAs revealed statistically significant differences (<0.05) in all kinematic variables and segmenta...
Oku K, Kakizaki M, Ono K, Ohta M.Seven Thoroughbred horses were castrated under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using propofol and medetomidine. After premedication with medetomidine (5.0 µg/kg, intravenously), anesthesia was induced with guaifenesin (100 mg/kg, intravenously) and propofol (3.0 mg/kg, intravenously) and maintained with constant rate infusions of medetomidine (0.05 µg/kg/min) and propofol (0.1 mg/kg/min). Quality of induction was judged excellent to good. Three horses showed insufficient anesthesia and received additional anesthetic. Arterial blood pressure changed within an acceptable range in all horse...
Araujo JM, Araújo JV, Braga FR, Carvalho RO.Three isolates of predator fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34), and Arthrobotrys robusta (I-31) were assessed in in vitro test regarding the capacity of prey infective larvae (L(3)) Strongyloides westeri. Compared to control, without fungus, there was a significant decrease (P 0.01) in vitro test. Linear regression coefficients of treated and control groups were -0.21 for control, -0.32 for D. flagrans, -0.34 for M. thaumasium, and -0.22 for A. robusta. In the following, isolates AC001 and NF34 were assessed in vivo regarding the capacity of supporting the pa...
Volkmann DH, van Zyl D.Semen of 2 pony stallions was frozen by 2 methods in 0.5 ml PVC straws. The fertility of the frozen-thawed semen was evaluated by inseminating 60 mares during 69 oestrous cycles. An overall single cycle pregnancy rate of 55% was achieved. Freezing method, stallion, insemination during steroid-synchronized oestrus or insemination only every 2nd day during oestrus did not significantly influence pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates were significantly improved from a mean 44% to a mean 73% when the mean number of progressively motile spermatozoa per insemination was increased from 175 x 10(6) to 249 ...
Van Rensburg IB, Collett MG, Ronen N, Gerdes T.An adult stallion presented with a severe papular dermatitis of especially the neck, chest and genitalia. A marked scrotal oedema was present. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies, revealed the presence of numerous intracytoplasmic molluscum bodies in areas of focal epidermal hyperplasia. Electron microscopical examination showed the presence of typical pox virions in affected epidermal cells. Attempts at viral isolation were unsuccessful. This is believed to be the first reported case of molluscum contagiosum in a horse in the Republic of South Africa.
Le Roux C, Carstens A.Axial sesamoiditis or osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) in the horse is described as a rare condition. The cause remains unknown and speculative, with vascular, infectious, and traumatic aetiologies implicated. It is specifically associated with injury of the palmar or plantar ligament (PL), also known as the intersesamoidean ligament. Imaging findings are generally rewarding and radiological changes are typical, if not pathognomonic, for the condition. Lesions consist of bone lysis at the apical to mid-body axial margins of the PSBs, with variable degrees of joint effusion. Radio...
Moore JN, Garner HE, Shapland JE, Hatfield DG.Effects of a sublethal IV dose (10 micrograms/kg of body weight) of Escherichia coli endotoxin were studied in 7 conscious ponies. Arterial blood gases and plasma lactic acid were determined periodically throughout the 180 minutes of the study. Arterial hypoxemia occurred within 5 minutes despite intense hyperventilation. Colic and diarrhea occurred in all ponies within 30 minutes after endotoxin administration. Metabolic acidosis developed within 30 minutes and persisted throughout the study, indicating widespread reduced tissue perfusion.
Pang DS, Panizzi L, Paterson JM.A 3-year-old, 400 kg, gelding Quarter Horse was presented for investigation of epistaxis. Methods: The horse was bright, alert and responsive with rectal temperature, heart rate and respiration rate within normal limits. Results: During a second general anaesthetic for surgical treatment of guttural pouch mycosis by balloon-tipped catheter occlusion of the right major palatine artery and ligation of the right external carotid artery, signs consistent with hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) were exhibited. These included concurrent hyperkalaemia, hypercapnoea, sinus tachycardia, and muscle...
Hughes C, Lehner F, Dirikolu L, Harkins D, Boyles J, McDowell K, Tobin T, Crutchfield J, Sebastian M, Harrison L, Baskin SI.An epidemiological association among black cherry trees (Prunus serotina), eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americana), and the spring 2001 episode of mare reproductive loss syndrome in central Kentucky focused attention on the potential role of environmental cyanogens in the causes of this syndrome. To evaluate the role of cyanide (CN (-)) in this syndrome, a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive method for determination of low parts per billion concentrations of CN (-) in equine blood and other biological fluids was developed. The analytical method is an adaptation of methods commonly in ...
Abreu RA, Weiss RR, Thomaz-Soccol V, Locatelli-Dittrich R, Laskoski LM, Bertol MA, Koch MO, Alban SM, Green KT.Sera from 112 mares from 5 horse-breeding farms was examined for the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as well as from dogs and cattle present on these properties for the presence of antibodies to N. caninum. Among the 112 mares, 35 had a history of reproductive problems in the last breeding season and 77 had no reproductive problems. The rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum in mares with and without a history of reproductive problems were 25.71% and 6.49% and from T. gondii 2.85% and 1.29%, respectively. In dogs ...
Saeidi E, Mansoori Yarahmadi H, Fakhraei J, Mojahedi S.The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dietary prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from inulin and Enterococcus faecium on nutrient digestibility, fecal pH, and some blood parameters. In this experiment, twelve adult Kurdish horses with average bogy weight of 416 ± 43.3 kg and age averaging 6 ± 1.8 year were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial design during 4 periods of 28 days, including 21 days for dietary adaptation and 7 days for sampling. Horses were offered 1 of 4 treatments: (1) no FOS or 2.5 × 10 colony forming ...
Hoque S, Derar RI, Senba H, Osawa T, Kano K, Taya K, Miyake Y.To clarify the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics in mares with granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT), the localization of inhibin subunits (alpha, betaA, betaB) and aromatase in the granulosa cell layers and theca layers in the ovarian follicles were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The follicles were obtained from the ovaries of 6 mares with GTCT and 4 normal mares as controls. Immunohistochemically, inhibin alpha-subunit was localized in the granulosa cells of all follicles showing different sizes in all GTCT cases and betaA- subunit was localized in two GTCT cases...
Wong KS, Chan GHM, Ho ENM, Wan TSM.Growth hormone (GH), or somatotropin, is a protein that may enhance physical performance and facilitate growth and wound healing. For this reason, growth hormones and their recombinant analogues are prohibited in human sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and in horseracing under Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering published by the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA). Identifying the illicit use of GHs in both human athletes and racehorses is challenging, especially when differentiating between endogenous and exogenous GHs,...
Carver DA, Ball BA.Previous studies have demonstrated a detrimental effect of seminal plasma on the maintenance of motility of cooled equine spermatozoa; however, the mechanism for the adverse effect of seminal plasma during cooled storage remains undetermined. In goats, a glycoprotein component of bulbourethral gland secretion contains lipase activity that is detrimental to sperm motility when stored in skim milk-based extenders. The objective of the current study was to determine the amount of lipase activity in stallion seminal plasma and to determine the effect of added lipase on spermatozoal motility during...
Souza EAR, Araujo AC, Pires LCSR, Freschi CR, Azevedo SS, Machado RZ, Horta MC.Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease in horses, has so far not been reported in Pernambuco state, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Babesia caballi and anti-Theileria equi antibodies based on the detection of these agents in equine blood and in ticks on horses in the municipality of Petrolina, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were drawn from 393 horses and sera were examined by ELISA. The presence of tick infestations was evaluated, and 101 ticks were subjected to DNA amplification for the detection of Babesia spp. by polymerase ch...
White SD, Rosychuk RA, Outerbridge CA, Fieseler KV, Spier S, Ihrke PJ, Chapman PL.Our objective was to determine if thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT), the enzyme important in the metabolism of azathioprine in human beings, is detectable in red blood cell lysates (RBCL) of healthy dogs, cats, and horses. Values for TPMT activity were determined from blood collected from 20 healthy dogs, cats, and horses. The TPMT activity in each animal's RBCL was determined using a radioenzymatic end point involving TPMT-facilitated metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine to 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP). One unit of TPMT activity represents the formation of 1 nmol of 6-MMP per milliliter of pack...
Walters M, Skovgaard K, Andersen PH, Heegaard PMH, Jacobsen S.The role of resident cells such a synoviocytes and chondrocytes in intra-articular inflammation is well-characterized, however the in vivo gene expression patterns of cells (predominantly leukocytes) in the synovial fluid (SF) of an inflamed joint have never previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate gene expression in SF leukocytes from the inflamed joint cavity after intra-articular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in horses to improve our understanding of the temporal regulation of the intra-articular inflammatory response. Gene expression was investigated in S...
Dierberger H, Pieper L, Jung M, Schulze M.Appropriate stallion semen handling is of great importance in equine artificial insemination (AI) industry. Optimal treatment of AI doses is aiming for best sperm preservation by excluding strong environmental influences and adding media that favour sperm survival. One method widely used in stallion sperm handling is the rotation of liquid-preserved semen samples on roller benches during storage. As previous studies in boars give rise to the fact that rotation should not be considered beneficial for spermatozoa anymore, the present study investigated the influence of continuous rotation of dil...
Pesko B, Habershon-Butcher J, Muir T, Gray B, Taylor P, Fenwick S, Hincks P, Scarth J, Paine S.Paracetamol is a widely used, non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug. Scientific evidence suggests that it is an effective pain treatment in equine medicine. However, there is very little published information about the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the horse. The aim of the research was to determine the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in equine plasma and urine to inform treatment of Thoroughbred racehorses. In this multi-dose study, paracetamol was administered orally at 20 mg/kg to six Thoroughbred horses. Pre- and post-administration urine and plasma samples were collected and analys...
Lorenzo-Figueras M, Pusterla N, Byrne BA, Samitz EM.To evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial conventional blood culture system (BCS), a commercial resin-containing BCS, and a commercial lysis-centrifugation-based BCS for the recovery of Escherichia coli from equine blood samples inoculated with that organism. Methods: Samples of blood obtained from a clinically normal horse that were inoculated with E coli. Methods: Blood samples were aseptically collected and inoculated with an E coli specimen (50 CFUs/mL) that had been previously isolated from a foal with sepsis. Subsequently, samples were spiked with gentamicin at a concentration of 30 ...
Rose PL, Bradley WM.Strangulating volvulus of the large colon was treated by resection and anastomosis of the colon in 9 horses. Tissue specimens were obtained at the site of the resection for histologic evaluation. An attempt was made to correlate the appearance of the colon at the time of surgery to the histologic evaluation and the eventual outcome. Six of the 9 horses (66%) survived. This is in contrast to a reported survival of 34.7 to 36% after decompression and reduction of colonic volvulus. Survival after surgery could not be predicted on the basis of visual assessment or histologic examination.
Popot MA, Jacobs M, Garcia P, Loup B, Guyonnet J, Toutain PL, Bailly-Chouriberry L, Bonnaire Y.Tiludronate is a bisphosphonate drug marketed to treat different bone conditions in horses. Objective: The goal of this study was to measure the plasma concentrations of tiludronate in a population of race and sport horses under field conditions, and using pharmacokinetic population modelling, to estimate detection times for doping control. Methods: Prospective cohort. Methods: This study was conducted under field conditions on 39 race or sport horses diagnosed with bone conditions based on a lameness examination and treated with tiludronate. Each horse received 1 mg/kg of tiludronate (Tildren...
Ronquist GK, Ek B, Ronquist G, Morrell J, Carlsson L, Larsson A.Release of nanometer-sized prostasomes into human and equine semen suggests essential functions in their relationships with sperm cells and the fertilization process. The two types of prostasomes displayed ultrastructural similarities, albeit the human prostasomes were somewhat larger than the stallion prostasomes. A high ratio of saturated fatty acids was characteristic for the two prostasome types. Electrophoretic separation systems revealed an equine prostasomal pattern different from that of human. The 21 distinctive low molecular weight protein spots in the 2D-gel (with no counterparts in...
Creton B, Pageat P, Robejean M, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Cozzi A.Hematophagous insects can be vectors of pathogens and cause significant economic loss in zootechnical production. Among biting insects, many dipteran species feed on horse blood. The black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) group, is responsible for several disorders in horses and inflicts painful bites that lead to undesirable behaviours in horses, particularly when bites occur in sensitive areas such as the inner ear. A field study was conducted in a French equestrian center during which a semiochemical was applied on horses' ears to assess repellent efficacy against simulid infestation. During the f...
Thorringer NW, Weisberg MR, Jensen RB.The competition for customers increases the search for new grain processing methods for equine feed, but the effect on starch digestibility and metabolic responses varies. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of the processing methods, toasting and micronizing, on starch digestion and the effect on metabolic responses, the mobile bag technique (MBT) and plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in the blood were used to estimate nutrient disappearance and metabolic responses pre-cecally. Further, cecal pH, ammonium nitrogen (N), and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were used to estima...
