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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.
Content and distribution of macro- and micro-elements in the body of pasture-fed young horses. To determine the content and distribution of Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, S, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn in the body of pasture-fed young horses and then use a factorial model to calculate the dietary mineral requirements for growth. Methods: Twenty-one foals were killed at about 150 days of age and the organs, soft tissues, skin and bones and a sample of muscle were dissected out and weighted. The mineral concentrations of elements in all soft tissues and bones were measured by inductively coupled emission spectrometry. The total mineral element composition associated with a tissue was determined from the weight ...
Concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk of pasture-fed thoroughbred mares. To determine the changes in Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, S, Cu, Fe and Zn concentrations of milk during the lactation in pasture-fed Thoroughbred mares and then calculate the dietary mineral requirements of the sucking foal and the lactating mare. Methods: Milk was sampled on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and at various times between 55 to 65, 85 to 95 and 135 to 150 days after parturition from 21 pasture-fed mares. The concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Results: Concentrations (mg/L) of these elements were highest in co...
Molecular dynamics simulation of alpha-lactalbumin and calcium binding c-type lysozyme. Alpha-lactalbumins (LAs) and c-type lysozymes (LYZs) are two classes of proteins which have a 35-40% sequence homology and share a common three dimensional fold but perform different functions. Lysozymes bind and cleave the glycosidic bond linkage in sugars, where as, alpha-lactalbumin does not bind sugar but participates in the synthesis of lactose. Alpha-lactalbumin is a metallo-protein and binds calcium, where as, only a few of the LYZs bind calcium. These proteins consist of two domains, an alpha-helical and a beta-strand domain, separated by a cleft. Calcium is bound at a loop situated at...
Streptococcus equi but not Streptococcus zooepidemicus produces potent mitogenic responses from equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Streptococcus equi causes equine strangles. The acute disease has many of the hallmarks of an acute response including high fever, elevated plasma fibrinogen and neutrophilia, affects known to be mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to screen-culture supernatants from equine clinical isolates of S. equi and S. zooepidemicus for stimulation of mitogenic responses by horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Mitogenicity comparable to that of concanavalin A was detected in culture supernatants of S. equi strains but not in those of S. zooepidemicus. Mitogenicity...
Comparison of the effects of halothane, isoflurane and methoxyflurane on the electroencephalogram of the horse. We have investigated in eight ponies the effects of three different end-tidal concentrations of halothane, isoflurane and methoxyflurane on median (F50) and 95% spectral edge (F95) frequencies of the EEG and the second differential (DD) of the middle latency auditory evoked potential (MLAEP). The three concentrations of each agent were chosen to represent approximately the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), 1.25 MAC and 1.5 MAC for each agent. During halothane anaesthesia, F95 decreased progressively as halothane concentration increased, from mean 13.9 (SD 2.6) at 0.8% to 11.9 (1.1) at 1.2%...
V(O2) recovery kinetics in the horse following moderate, heavy, and severe exercise. At the onset of exercise, horses exhibit O2 uptake (VO2) kinetics that are qualitatively similar to those of humans. In humans, there is a marked dissymmetry between on- and off-kinetics for VO2. This investigation sought to formally characterize the off-transient (recovery) VO2 kinetics in the horse within the moderate (M), heavy (H), and severe (S) exercise domains. Six horses were run on a high-speed treadmill at M, H, and S exercise intensities (i.e., that speed which yielded approximately 50, 85, 100% peak VO2, respectively, on the maximal incremental test). The time courses for the recov...
The effect of dietary protein on reproduction in the mare. VII. Embryonic development, early embryonic death, foetal losses and their relationship with serum progestagen. Sixty-four Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arab mares aged 6-12 years were randomly allocated to 4 dietary groups and fed diets that differed in the total protein content and quality (essential amino-acids). Forty mares were non-lactating and 24 lactating. Eight mares were withdrawn from the investigation owing to injuries or gynaecological pathology. An overall conception rate of 94.6% and a foaling rate of 80% was achieved. Five of 14 (35.7%) mares (Group 1) fed a low-quality protein diet suffered from early embryonic loss before 90 days of pregnancy compared to 3 of 41 (7.3%) mares in the remaining ...
Genetic analysis of three South African horse breeds. Genetic variability at 7 blood-group and 10 biochemical genetic loci was examined in 3 South African horse breeds, the Nooitgedacht, Boerperd and Basuto Pony. Observed heterozygosity for these breeds was intermediate for domestic horses, with the highest heterozygosity in the Boerperd and the lowest in the Basuto Pony. The 3 breeds show greater genetic similarity to each other than to other domestic horse breeds. Compared to other breeds, the South African breeds show greater genetic similarity to breeds such as the Thoroughbred, Holstein, Trakehner and Hanovarian and also to North American br...
Perioperative plasma cortisol concentration in the horse. The cortisol response to anaesthesia and surgery was studied in 2 groups of horses undergoing either abdominal or non-abdominal surgery. The preoperative mean plasma cortisol concentration (pcc) of 381.7 nmol/l (s.d. 254.7) was markedly higher in the abdominal group than the early-morning mean pcc of 115.6 nmol/l (s.d. 78.4) in the non-abdominal group. During halothane anaesthesia and surgery the mean pcc increased significantly (p < 0.05) from the preoperative mean of 119.2 to 215.9 nmol/l (s.d. 79.8) after 30 min of surgery in the non-abdominal group. In the abdominal group a decrease occ...
The gamma2 late glycoprotein K promoter of equine herpesvirus 1 is differentially regulated by the IE and EICP0 proteins. The equine herpesvirus 1 immediate-early (IE) phosphoprotein is essential for the activation of transcription from viral early and late promoters and trans-represses its own promoter. Transient-transfection assays showed that the IE protein trans-represses the gamma2 late gK promoter. Gel shift and DNase I footprinting assays demonstrated that the IE protein binds to the gK promoter sequences from -42 to -26 and from -13 to +12 that overlap the transcription initiation site (+1). These results indicated that the IE protein binds to the transcription initiation site of the gK promoter sequences...
Hepatotoxicity associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloid (Crotalaria spp) ingestion in a horse on Easter Island. Since 1984, a significant number of privately owned and feral horses on Easter Island have died of a syndrome consisting of progressive anorexia, weight loss, obtundation, and other central nervous system abnormalities. A single horse experiencing clinical signs of the reported syndrome was identified, examined and necropsied. Clinical signs included inappetence, emaciation, ataxia and icterus. Gross necropsy findings included hepatic enlargement and mottling, ascites and gastric impaction. Histopathological lesions included hepatic hemorrhage and necrosis, periportal megalocytosis, portal fib...
The circumstances surrounding the outbreak and spread of equine influenza in South Africa. Equine-2 influenza A virus (H3N8) infection first occurred among naïve horses in South Africa in December 1986. The virus was introduced following the importation of six horses from the United States of America. While the release of in-contact horses from quarantine three days after the arrival of these six horses played a role in the rapid spread of the disease in South Africa, other outbreaks of disease were associated with viral introduction by personnel or contaminated instruments. The control measures and implications of the introduction of equine influenza to South Africa are also discu...
A sensitive polymerase chain reaction based assay for the detection of Setaria digitata: the causative organism of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in goats, sheep and horses. A sensitive PCR assay for the detection of Setaria digitata has been developed. Two oligonucleotide primers (17 nt) were designed from a previously cloned and characterized tandemly arranged repetitive sequence of Setaria digitata. Using these primers, it was possible to amplify small quantities (100 fg) of S. digitata genomic DNA. A simple procedure, using proteinase K and non-ionic detergent NP 40, was followed to process the host blood samples and mosquitoes harbouring L3 larvae. The sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction based assay surpasses the microscopic detection and the previou...
Analysis of scintigraphical lung images before and after treatment of horses suffering from chronic pulmonary disease. Scintigraphical analysis of the ratio of inhalation (I) to perfusion (Q) was designed to determine whether chronic pulmonary disease in horses induced mismatches in I/Q and to assess whether medical treatment would restore an I/Q distribution pattern identical to that of control horses. In addition, the results of the I/Q analysis were correlated with the alveolar-arterial PO2 difference (AaDO2). The I/Q matching found in a group of control horses was compared with the I/Q analysis of a group of diseased horses before and after their clinical signs had been treated. The analysis indicated that...
Evaluation of temporal and spatial clustering of horses with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection. To determine whether horses with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections that were examined at a veterinary medical teaching hospital between July 1, 1992, and June 30, 1994 had patterns of temporal or spatial clustering. Methods: 134 case and 800 control horses randomly selected from all non-case horses admitted during the study period. Methods: Admission date and geographic location were determined. Scan, Cuzick & Edwards', and Knox tests were applied to determine whether case horses had patterns of temporal or spatial clustering. Results: For all windows > or = 3 days (134 case...
Influence of site and age on biochemical characteristics of the collagen network of equine articular cartilage. To determine variations in biochemical characteristics of equine articular cartilage in relation to age and the degree of predisposition for osteochondral disease at a specific site. Methods: Articular cartilage specimens from 53 horses 4 to 30 years old. Methods: Healthy specimens were obtained from 2 locations on the proximal articular surface of the first phalanx that had different disease prevalences (site 1 at the mediodorsal margin and site 2 at the center of the medial cavity). Water, total collagen, and hydroxylysine contents and enzymatic (hydroxylysylpyridinoline [HP]) and nonenzymat...
Influence of age and plasma treatment on neutrophil phagocytosis and CD18 expression in foals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age and plasma treatment on neutrophil phagocytosis, CD18 expression and serum opsonic capacity in foals in field settings. Microbial infections constitute a large threat in young foals and neutrophil functions are crucial for the defense. Blood samples were obtained from 13 foals at seven time points between the ages of 2 and 56 days and once from 16 adult horses. Six of the foals were treated with adult plasma at the age of 1 week. Neutrophil phagocytosis of yeast after various opsonizations and the expression of complement adhesion rece...
Effects of bovine serum albumin on function of cryopreserved stallion spermatozoa during medium culture and uterine tube epithelial cell coculture. To compare function of cultured cryopreserved stallion spermatozoa in a modified Tyrode's medium (TM), with or without bovine serum albumin (BSA), or in uterine tube (oviduct) epithelial cell (OEC) coculture in TM, with or without BSA. Methods: Cryopreserved spermatozoa from 6 proven stallions and OEC from bovine reproductive tracts in follicular phase. Methods: Thawed spermatozoa were cultured in TM, with or without BSA, or cocultured with OEC monolayers in TM, with or without BSA. Percentages of capacitated and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa were measured at 5 hours for TM cultures. Spermatozo...
Measurement of synovial fluid and serum concentrations of the 846 epitope of chondroitin sulfate and of carboxy propeptides of type II procollagen for diagnosis of osteochondral fragmentation in horses. To determine whether serum or synovial fluid concentrations of chondroitin sulfate epitope 846 and carboxy propeptides of type II collagen (CPII) can be used to diagnose osteochondral fragmentation (OC) in horses. Methods: 38 horses with unilateral OC of the radiocarpal (n = 31) or intercarpal (33) joints and 8 clinically and radiographically normal horses. Procedures-For horses with OC, serum and synovial fluid concentrations of epitope 846, CPII, and keratan sulfate (KS) were determined, along with synovial fluid WBC counts and total protein concentrations. Serum epitope 846, CPII, and KS co...
Purification and biochemical characterization of equine pulmonary surfactant protein D. To characterize surfactant protein D (SP-D) isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of healthy horses. Methods: BALF from 10 Thoroughbreds (5 males, 5 females; 26 to 40 months old) without history or clinical signs of respiratory tract disease. Methods: BALF was obtained and centrifuged at 33,000 X g. The supernatant was applied to a mannose-Sepharose 6B affinity column in the presence of calcium, and the bound protein fraction was analyzed by use of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblot analysis; amino acid composition was determined and partial seque...
[HYPP: hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in the horse]. Hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis(HYPP) is characterized by intermittent episodes of muscular tremor, weakness, and collapse, and is probably caused by abnormal electrolyte transport in the muscle cell membrane. During an episode of HYPP, most animals are severely hyperkalaemic. HYPP is a hereditary disease and occurs only in American Quarter horses or crossbreds. Because these horses are now being imported into the Netherlands, HYPP should be included in the differential diagnosis of horses showing signs of muscle tremor, paresis, or paralysis. The present article reviews the literature on HYP...
Bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing mares: 22 cases. To describe a technique for laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy in standing mares and report the outcome of 22 clinical cases. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: A total of 22 mares between 4 and 23 years of age, weighing between 360 and 600 kg. Methods: Mares with normal ovaries, as determined by palpation per rectum, were restrained in standing stocks and sedated with detomidine (0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg intravenously [i.v.]) and butorphanol (0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg i.v.). The laparoscope and instrument insertion sites were infiltrated with 2% lidocaine before incision. One laparoscope portal and two ...
Evaluation of a technique to occlude the internal carotid artery of horses. To evaluate an occlusion technique for the internal carotid artery of horses using an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distally and ligatures proximally. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Six healthy adult horses. Methods: In each horse, the left internal carotid artery was occluded by placement of an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distally and two ligatures proximally. Radiographs were taken on days 2, 5, 10, and 30 after surgery to evaluate balloon inflation and position. Endoscopic examination of the left guttural pouch was performed 10 days...
Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the horse with use of a tenoscopic approach to the carpal sheath. To describe a tenoscopic approach to the carpal sheath for desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon. Methods: The surgical procedure was developed with use of normal forelimbs from equine cadavers and experimental horses. Methods: Twelve equine cadaveric forelimbs, 4 forelimbs from 2 horses anesthetized for terminal surgical laboratories, and 10 forelimbs from five experimental horses were used. Methods: The limbs were positioned lateral side up with the carpus slightly flexed. After distention of the carpal sheath, a portal was made approximately 2 cm proxi...
Standing surgical repair of cystorrhexis in two mares. Two surgical techniques were used to evert the bladder into the vagina for observation and repair of bladder tears that were associated with parturition. One technique involved an incision through the vaginal floor into the peritoneal cavity just caudal to the cervix, and prolapse of the bladder into the vagina. The second technique involved a 3-cm incision through the urethra, 5 cm cranial to the urethral orifice, and digital exploration of the tear and finger traction to evert the bladder through the urethral incision. In both mares, the bladder defects were repaired in two layers, with use ...
Extraction of equine chorionic gonadotrophin from pregnant mare plasma by direct adsorption on chromatographic media. Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) is a hormone of practical value in veterinary medicine and animal production. Here we report a novel preparation procedure based on its direct adsorption onto anionic-exchange resins in a batch-wise mode. The active plasma is previously conditioned to reduce pH and ionic strength to required levels. After the adsorption stage, a 90% recovery of the initial eCG is achieved, with a concentration factor of about 50 and an enrichment factor around 500, with high preservation of biological activity. Further purification is carried out by cation-exchange column c...
Oral metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in a horse. A 14-year-old hunter gelding presented with an ulcerated mass on the left premaxilla. Biopsy of the mass revealed a poorly differentiated carcinoma. Surgical excision was attempted, but local regrowth followed several months later, at which point radiotherapy was carried out. An initial improvement was followed by marked deterioration and the animal was humanely killed. Post-mortem examination revealed a massively enlarged right kidney and associated widespread metastases. A metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma was identified by histological examination.
