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.
Pellegrini A, Kalkinc M, Hermann M, Grünig B, Winder C, Von Fellenberg R.Equinins are a closely related group of proteins found in equine neutrophil granules. They demonstrate proteinase inhibiting activity restricted to microbial proteinase K and subtilisin, and they also possess antibacterial and antiviral properties. Antiproteinase K activity was measured in tracheobronchial secretions (TBS) of horses with mild (n = 15), moderate (n = 30) and severe (n = 16) chronic pulmonary disease, to determine its usefulness as an indicator of severity of disease and to measure neutrophil content. Determination of proteinase K inhibiting activity was based on a colorimetric ...
Netherwood T, Wood JL, Mumford JA, Chanter N.During an epidemiological study of foal diarrhoea, over half of the cases yielded Clostridium perfringens which was significantly associated with disease (Netherwood et al., 1996b). However, the association could not be accounted for by enterotoxigenic isolates which had a low prevalence (Netherwood et al., 1997). Nonetheless, we have hypothesized that the association may be caused by a pathogenic sub-population which would be significantly more common amongst C. perfringens-positive cases compared with C. perfringens-positive healthy controls if it acted as a pathogen when present. Conversely...
Brightwell G, Brown JM, Coates DM.Rt-PCR probes targeted to different gene sequences of VEE (Venezuelan equine encephalitis) virus strain TC-83 were assessed for their sensitivity, specificity and non-specific cross-reactivity. A generic VEE virus amplimer (VNSP4F2/VNSP4R2), targeted against nsP4 was identified, which was sensitive (detected at least 10 pfu) and robust (worked over a wide range of salt concentrations and annealing temperatures). An E2 amplimer designed against TC-83, (VE2F/VE2R), identified VEE strains TRD (1AB), P676 (1C), 3880 (1D) Everglades (2) vRNA whilst a second E2 primer pair designed against strain 68...
Van Andel AE, Magnarelli LA, Heimer R, Wilson ML.To characterize antibody response in horses with clinical signs of Ehrlichia equi infection. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 13 horses with confirmed acute E equi infection. Methods: Sequential serum sampling was performed in Connecticut and New York during 1995 and 1996 to identify horses with naturally acquired equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE). Horses with clinical signs of EGE (i.e., fever without respiratory involvement) were confirmed as having E equi infection by polymerase chain reaction detection of ehrlichial DNA and by a minimum fourfold increase in total antibody titer by...
Peauroi JR, Fisher DJ, Mohr FC, Vivrette SL.A 14-year-old Arabian gelding had weight loss and anorexia of 3 weeks' duration. Results of repeated laboratory tests revealed persistent hypercalcemia and serum phosphorus concentration that was within or less than the reference range. Parathyroid hormone concentration was high. Histologic examination of specimens obtained at necropsy revealed parathyroid adenoma. A diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism attributable to a functional parathyroid adenoma was made. Abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus concentrations were similar to those seen with primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs, in whi...
Sheoran AS, Lunn DP, Holmes MA.This paper describes the production of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) identifying the four recognised equine IgG subisotypes IgG, IgGa, IgGb, IgGc and IgG(T). Pure preparations of the subisotypes for use in immunisations and testing were produced using a combination of gel filtration, salt precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and protein A and Protein G affinity chromatography. The specificity of mAbs for the IgG subisotypes was confirmed using ELISA assays, by characterisation of affinity purified proteins recognised by the mAbs, and by Western blotting of equine serum proteins...
Khalil AM, Murakami N, Kaseda Y.Jugular vein blood samples were collected from 23 young and sexual mature feral stallions to examine the relationship between plasma testosterone concentration and age, breeding season or harem size. Testosterone concentration increased with the age of the stallions until they formed their own harems, at about 4 to 6 years old. Seasonal variations in testosterone concentrations were observed, and found to be significantly higher (P<0.001) throughout the breeding season than non-breeding season, from 3 years of age. Testosterone levels were correlated with harem size for individual stallions...
Bennett RC, Taylor PM, Brearley JC, Johnson CB, Luna SP.This prospective clinical study compared the physiological effects of two commonly used anaesthetic induction techniques in horses maintained with halothane. One hundred horses admitted for elective surgery were randomly allocated to receive either guaiphenesin (to effect) and thiopentone (5 mg/kg), or detomidine (20 microg/kg) and ketamine (2 mg/kg) for the induction of anaesthesia after acepromazine premedication. Anaesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen. There were no significant differences in breed, age, sex, weight, type of surgery and duration of anaesthesia between the group...
Bhuyan AK, Udgaonkar JB.The unfolding kinetics of horse cytochrome c in the oxidized state has been studied at 10, 22, and 34 degreesC as a function of guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) concentration. Rapid (millisecond) measurements of far-UV circular dichroism (CD) as well as fluorescence quenching due to tryptophan to heme excitation energy transfer have been used to monitor the unfolding process. At 10 degreesC, the decrease in far-UV CD signal that accompanies unfolding occurs in two phases. The unobservable burst phase is complete within 4 ms, while the slower phase occurs over tens to hundreds of milliseconds. ...
Schofield WL, Mulville JP.The modified Forssell's procedure was performed on 10 horses in an attempt to cure oral stereotypies. Three horses were cured completely, two horses were considerably improved, and five horses continued to perform the stereotypy after periods of remission ranging from two weeks to six months. This rate of success for the modified Forssell's procedure, as in other published reports, was lower than for the original Forssell's procedure. Surgery to eliminate a stereotypical behaviour pattern may exacerbate the stress for an animal and the modified Forssell's procedure can no longer be recommended...
Alfredson H, Hedberg G, Bergström E, Nordström P, Lorentzon R.To evaluate whether the type of weight-bearing loading subjected to the skeleton during horseback-riding was associated with differences in bone mass and muscle strength of the thigh, we investigated bone mass and isokinetic muscle strength in 20 female horse riders (age 17.9 +/- 0.6 years) who were riding 7.0 +/- 3.4 hours/week, and 20 nonactive females (age 17.8 +/- 1.1 years). The groups were matched according to age, weight, and height. Areal bone mineral density was measured in total body, head, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochanter, the whole dominant and nond...
Rolfe PF, Dawson KL, Holm-Martin M.To compare the efficacy of moxidectin to ivermectin, oxibendazole and morantel against some gastrointestinal nematodes in horses. Methods: Faecal egg count reduction after treatment. Methods: A farm was selected where the population of small strongyles in horses was known to be resistant to oxibendazole. Horses were allocated to treatment groups based on faecal egg counts. After treatment, faecal samples were taken up to 109 days after treatment and faecal egg counts estimated. Faecal cultures were used to estimate the contribution of small and large strongyles to the faecal egg counts at each...
Dart AJ, Strong M, Rose RJ, Hodgson DR.To evaluate the clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical effects of two large doses of recombinant equine growth hormone. Methods: Duplicated Latin square. Methods: Three Thoroughbred and three Standardbred mares aged between 12 and 17 years. Methods: Two horses were randomly assigned into one of three groups. On each of three successive days, each horse pair received one of two dosages of growth hormone or a saline placebo so that by the end of the experiment all three horse pairs had received both dosages and the saline placebo. Dose rates selected were 50 micrograms/kg, and 100 micro...
Raabe MR, Issel CJ, Montelaro RC.Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) has been shown to infect cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage. These primary cells are intrinsically difficult to obtain, to purify and to culture in vitro for extended periods of time. As a result, most in vitro studies concerning this lentivirus make use of primary equine fibroblasts or transformed canine or feline cell lines. We describe methods that yield reproducibly pure cultures of equine blood monocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The in vitro differentiation of these cells into mature equine macrophage was verified using various cytoc...
Granier T, Comberton G, Gallois B, d'Estaintot BL, Dautant A, Crichton RR, Précigoux G.We refined the structure of the tetragonal form of recombinant horse L-chain apoferritin to 2.0 A and we compared it with that of the cubic form previously refined to the same resolution. The major differences between the two structures concern the cadmium ions bound to the residues E130 at the threefold axes of the molecule. Taking advantage of the significant anomalous signal (f" = 3.6 e-) of cadmium at 1.375 A, the wavelength used here, we performed anomalous Fourier difference maps with the refined model phases. These maps reveal the positions of anomalous scatterers at different locations...
Fey K, Jonigkeit E, Moritz A.Equine and canine Cushing's syndrome, both of which are the result of elevated cortisol levels, show some different pathogenetical and clinical features and require different therapeutical approaches. In older horses the equine Cushing's syndrome (ECS) is not uncommon. Nearly all cases result from excessive hormone production in cells of the pars intermedia of the pituitary. Besides elevated levels of adrenocorticotrope hormone (ACTH), high peripheral levels of pro-opiomelanocortin, beta-endorphines and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone can be measured. In middle-aged and geriatric dogs, Cu...
Yang GC, Croaker D, Zhang AL, Manglick P, Cartmill T, Cass D.Lethal white foal syndrome (LWFS) is a congenital anomaly of horses characterized by a white coat colour and aganglionosis of the bowel, which is similar to Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). We decided to investigate possible mutations of the endothelin-B receptor gene ( EDNRB ) in LWFS as recent studies in mutant rodents and some patients have demonstrated EDNRB defects. First, we identified a full-length cDNA for horse EDNRB . This cDNA fragment contained a 1329 bp open reading frame which encoded 443 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence was 89, 91 and 85% identical to human, bo...
Yang GC, Croaker D, Zhang AL, Manglick P, Cartmill T, Cass D.Lethal white foal syndrome (LWFS) is a congenital anomaly of horses characterized by a white coat colour and aganglionosis of the bowel, which is similar to Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). We decided to investigate possible mutations of the endothelin-B receptor gene ( EDNRB ) in LWFS as recent studies in mutant rodents and some patients have demonstrated EDNRB defects. First, we identified a full-length cDNA for horse EDNRB . This cDNA fragment contained a 1329 bp open reading frame which encoded 443 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence was 89, 91 and 85% identical to human, bo...
Taylor PM.The effects of surgery on endocrine and metabolic responses to anaesthesia were investigated in seven horses and eight ponies. They were anaesthetised twice and surgery was carried out on one occasion. Cardiorespiratory monitoring was performed and blood samples were taken for assay of cortisol, glucose, lactate, insulin, catecholamines and non-esterified fatty acids. All groups developed arterial hypotension which was more marked in the surgical groups where post operative pulse rate was also higher. Plasma cortisol concentration increased in all groups during anaesthesia but remained higher ...
Thompson CH, Yager JA, Van Rensburg IB.To determine whether the virus responsible for human molluscum contagiosum (MCV) is the causal agent of a similar disease in horses, in situ hybridisations using cloned fragments of human MCV DNA labelled with digoxigenin were carried out on formalin-fixed biopsy sections of lesions from two horses with molluscum contagiosum-like skin lesions. In both instances there was evidence of specific hybridisation of the labelled probe to target DNA in the sections under high stringency conditions, identified by the development of a deep blue-purple stain in the cytoplasm of cells in the stratum spinos...
Marr K, Marsh K, Hernandez L, Cunningham FM, Lees P.Leukotrienes, products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, possess properties consistent with their involvement in a range of inflammatory diseases. In this study the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, fenleuton, have been examined in the horse. Orally administered fenleuton (four 5 mg kg(-1) doses, given once daily) was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and penetrated readily into tissue cage exudate, the ratio of the plasma:exudate AUC0-48h being 0.90+/-0.02 (n=6). Ionophore-stimulated leukotriene (LT) B4 synthes...
Valberg SJ, Townsend D, Mickelson JR.To determine whether polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in Quarter Horses is attributable to a defect in glycolysis or in the allosteric regulation of phosphofructokinase (PFK) enzyme. Methods: Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from 6 Quarter Horses with PSSM and 8 Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred control horses. Methods: Maximal activity of glycogenolytic and glycolytic enzymes was determined spectrophotometrically. Maximal activity of PFK was determined for each horse at pH 8.0, and at pH 7.0 when variable concentrations of the activators, fructose 6 phosphate, fructose 2,6 bisphosphate...
Howard RD, McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW, Nyborg JK.To clone equine interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and determine its full-length cDNA sequence. Methods: A cDNA library derived from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated equine monocytes was screened by means of plaque hybridization to radiolabeled equine IL-1ra DNA probes generated by means of the polymerase chain reaction. The cDNA nucleotide sequence for equine IL-1ra was determined by use of the dideoxy chain termination technique, analyzed by use of computer software for sequence characteristics, and compared with sequences reported for IL-1ra of other species. Results: The cDNA of equin...
Vatistas NJ, Snyder JR, Nieto J, Hildebrand SV, Woliner MJ, Harmon FA, Barry SJ, Drake C.To determine whether xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase activities are altered during low flow ischemia and reperfusion of the small intestine of horses. Methods: 5 clinically normal horses without histories of abdominal problems. Methods: With the horse under general anesthesia, a laparotomy was performed and blood flow to a segment of the distal jejunum was reduced to 20% of baseline for 120 minutes and was then reperfused for 120 minutes. Biopsy specimens were obtained before, during, and after ischemia for determination of xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase activities, and for histologic a...
McKinney AR, Suann CJ, Dunstan AJ, Mulley SL, Ridley DD, Stenhouse AM.The equine phase I and phase II metabolism of the synthetic anabolic steroid stanozolol was investigated following its administration by intramuscular injection to a thoroughbred gelding. The major phase I biotransformations were hydroxylation at C16 and one other site, while phase II metabolism in the form of sulfate and beta-glucuronide conjugation was extensive. An analytical procedure was developed for the detection of stanozolol and its metabolites in equine urine using solid phase extraction, acid solvolysis of phase II conjugates and analysis by positive ion electrospray ionization ion ...
Grau-Roma L, Peckham R, Paton J, Stahel A, de Brot S.The postmortem examination of a 14-y-old Appaloosa gelding with clinically diagnosed pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction showed a unique finding of moderate multifocal lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH). The pituitary glands of 24 horses submitted for postmortem examination were examined grossly and examined histologically for the presence of lymphocytes. Of these 23 horses, 1 additional case suffered from moderate LH. The 2 cases with LH tested negative for Equid herpesvirus 1 and 4 by polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and no viral particles were observed by electron micr...
Cherry RL, Adair HS, Chen T, Hendrix DVH, Ward DA.Spontaneous eyeblink rate (SEBR) is inversely proportional to the level of attentional focus in humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of attentional focus on SEBR in horses. Methods: Twenty client-owned horses (2.5-23 years of age, five mares, 15 geldings) were evaluated. A GoPro HERO5 Session™ video recorder was attached to the halter and directed toward the eyes. Horses were acclimated for two hours before study commencement. Horses were filmed in five scenarios requiring different levels of attention: alone in a stall ("stall"), stall with an observer ("person")...
Runcan EE, Pozor MA, Zambrano GL, Benson S, Macpherson ML.The acrosome is a highly specialised region of the spermatozoon that is essential for fertilisation. Defects or dysfunction of this structure have been associated with fertility problems in man and various domestic species including stallions. Current methods of evaluating the acrosome of stallion spermatozoa are time consuming and require specialised equipment, which is cost prohibitive to the average practitioner. Objective: To evaluate 2 conventional stains (Dip Quick and Spermac) and determine their usefulness in assessing acrosome integrity in stallions as compared with specific acrosomal...
McFarlane JR, Czekala NM, Papkoff H.Six samples of pregnant zebra (z) serum from the first and second trimesters of pregnancy were analyzed by RIA and shown to have chorionic gonadotropin levels comparable to that of the mare (0.9-5.3 micrograms/ml); first trimester levels in most cases were higher than second trimester levels. A pool of the sera (10 ml) was fractionated by methods previously employed for the purification of equine (e) and donkey (d) chorionic gonadotropin to achieve a concentration of the zebra chorionic gonadotropin (zCG). A yield of 1.0 mg of glycoprotein was obtained. HPLC analysis of the material indicated ...
Stewart AJ, Hardy J, Kohn CW, Toribio RE, Hinchcliff KW, Silver B.To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum concentrations of total magnesium (tMg) and ionized magnesium (iMg), concentrations of magnesium (Mg) in muscle, intracellular Mg (icMg) concentrations, urinary Mg excretion (EMg), Mg clearance (CMg), and fractional clearance of Mg (FCMg) in horses fed diets with Mg content above and below National Research Council recommendations. Methods: 9 young female horses. Methods: 6 horses were fed a reduced-Mg diet for 29 days followed by an Mg-supplemented diet for 24 days. Control horses (n = 3) were fed grass hay exclusively. Blood, urine, and tissue sample...
Frazer GS, Robertson JT, Boyce RW.A 5-year-old Appaloosa mare had a history of mild intermittent abdominal discomfort and clinical signs that were suggestive of intestinal obstruction. Palpation per rectum revealed a large mass attached to the left uterine horn, with smaller masses extending dorsally and cranially and causing constriction of the rectum. At necropsy, numerous multilobulated masses were observed in the abdominal cavity and several nodules were seen in the lungs. The left ovary was large and contained both cartilage and hairlike material. Sections from all masses had similar histologic features and confirmed the ...
Anderson IG, Hasslinger MA.The faeces of 34 horses of the "Bavarian main and state studfarm Schwaiganger" (Group I) and 10 ponies (Group II) from various regions of the Federal Republic of Germany, were examined and 4 834 small strongyles were identified. Three species Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Cylicocylus nassatus, were found to be widely distributed. Although various modern anthelmintics with different effective components were used over the past 20 years, no remarkable change has been brought about in the composition of the parasitic species of the horses in the Federal Republic of Ger...
Soma LR, Uboh CE, Rudy J, Fegely J.The effects of the intravenous (i.v.) administration of 1.1 mg/kg of flunixin meglumine on thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentrations were studied in sedentary and 2-year-old horses in training. The baseline TxB2 serum concentrations generated during clotting were 2.89 +/- 0.81, 2.19 +/- 0.25 and 0.88 +/- 0.12 ng/ml for the 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in training, sedentary horses under 10 and over 10 years old, respectively. There was a significant difference in baseline TxB2 concentrations between older and younger horses (P less than 0.005). Significant reduction in TxB2 production from baseline wer...
Rawlings CA, Bisgard GE, Dufek JH, Buss DD, Will JA, Birnbaum ML, Chopra PS, Kahn DR.Prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (PEMO) was performed in 6 adult ponies with the membrane oxygenator in vein-to-artery bypass circuit. A flow rate equal to 46 per cent of control cardiac output was diverted through the PEMO circuit of 10 to 24 hours. Three of the 6 ponies were perfused for at least 20 hours and developed no complications. Immediately following initiation of PEMO, left ventricular output decreased; however, in the interval between 6 and 24 hours, left ventricular output was increased above control levels. Aortic pressure and left ventricular work were markedly elev...
Huskamp B, Scheidemann W.Ninety-six horses with chronic recurrent caecal impaction associated with hypertrophy of muscle layers in the caecal base or in the whole caecum were examined from 1990 to 1996. Enlargement of the caecocolic orifice was completed surgically in 58 horses. Of those horses having surgery, 50 were discharged from the hospital while 8 were subjected to euthanasia at the hospital due to complications. Twenty-seven of the 50 horses discharged were normal at follow-up while 23 died or were subjected to euthanasia due to acute or recurrent colic, recurrent impaction in the ascending or descending colon...
Soma LR, Uboh CE, Rudy JA, Perkowski SZ.Naproxen (+6-methoxy-[alpha-methyl]-2-naphthalene acetic acid) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in horses. We developed a model that describes the drug's disposition and renal excretion, including synovial fluid disposition and elimination after IV administration in horses. The plasma disposition, after IV administration of 5 mg/kg of body weight, was described by a two-compartment model; mean +/- SD distribution and elimination half-lives were 1.42 +/- 0.42 and 8.26 +/- 2.56 hours, respectively. Plasma concentration of naproxen...
Vaughn DM, Smyth GB, Whitmer WL, Satjawatcharaphong C.Small volumes (0.05 ml) of cisterna magna cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 23 neurologically normal horses were analysed for the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin and their metabolites using high pressure liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Two metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were present in all CSF samples. The deaminated and methylated metabolite of dopamine, HVA, was present at a mean concentration of 42.33 +/- 3.14 ng/ml of CSF. The deaminated metabolite of serotonin, 5-HIAA, was present ...
Silberzahn P, Gaillard JL, Quincey D, Dintinger T, Al-Timimi I.A single enzyme in the stallion testis was able to aromatize both testosterone and nortestosterone. This enzyme had a much lower affinity for nortestosterone than for testosterone. In contrast to human placental estrogen synthetase, this enzyme aromatized testosterone and 19-nortestosterone with similar efficiency. The differences observed (effects of monovalent cations, inhibition of androstenedione aromatization by testosterone and 19-nortestosterone and, above all, rate of norandrogen aromatization) suggest that the aromatase in the horse testis is not the same as that in the human placenta...
Jain NC, Vegad JL, Kono CS.Equine neutrophil antibody was raised in rabbits inoculated with equine neutrophils isolated to purity greater than 99.0%, using Percoll density-gradient sedimentation. Neutrophil antibody was detected by use of agar gel diffusion, leukoagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence, staphylococcal protein A and streptococcal protein G binding, and phagocytic inhibition techniques. Precipitin lines and leukoagglutination were seen in antiserum dilutions of 1:4 and 1:64, respectively. The specific nature of leukoagglutination was characterized by the formation of rosette-like clumps of neutrophils....
Tofé E, Muñoz A, Castejón F, Trigo P, Castejón-Riber C, Gómez-Díez M, Riber C.The influence of hydration prior to exercise on hormonal response to exercise was investigated in horses, divided into two groups, control (n=11) and dehydrated (n=53). They were also classified according to their body weight in A (≈ 350 kg), B (351-450 kg) and C (≈ 451 kg). Horses covered 60 m on a track pulling a carriage loaded with 2, 2.25 and 2.5 times their body weight, for A, B and C. Blood samples were taken at rest, after exercise and during recovery. Electrolytes, albumin, renin, angiotensin and aldosterone concentrations were measured. Dehydrated and control horses had higher al...
Dini P, Weiland A, Boakari Y, Scoggin KE, Esteller-Vico A, Daels P, Ball BA.The goal of this study was to develop a safe, effective, and economical method for permanent sterilization of mares based upon tubo-ovarian ligation performed via colpotomy. In this study, we evaluated the application of a nylon cable tie (zip-tie) to the ovarian pedicle and oviduct of mares to induce ovarian ischemia and tubal ligation without removal of ovaries. Initially, efficiency of zip-ties on the ovarian pedicle was tested in vitro and in vivo. Based on the absence of leakage through the zip-tie ligated vessels in anatomic specimens, we confirmed the potential efficacy of the technique...
Coyne CP, Hornof WJ, Kelly AB, O'Brien TR, DeNardo SJ.Two methods were analyzed for the rapid extraction of equine fibrinogen from fresh plasma, using ammonium sulfate-sodium phosphate buffer. Fibrinogen from each of these 2 methods was then radiolabeled with 125I (half-life = 60.2 days, gamma = 35 keV), using monochloroiodine reagent. Mean protein-bound activity was 98.5% and mean clottable radioactivity was 94.1%. Radiolabeled fibrinogen administered IV to 15 horses had an overall mean (+/- SD) plasma half-life of 4.95 +/- 0.44 days.
Mueller PO, Hunt RJ, Allen D, Parks AH, Hay WP.The effect of intraperitoneal sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) administration on clinical outcome and survival was evaluated in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal disease. Comparison of variables was made retrospectively between 44 horses that had SCMC and 92 horses (controls) not treated with SCMC. Mean age, body weight, heart rate, packed cell volume and plasma total protein of horses at admission, and convalescent period were not significantly different between control and SCMC groups. No significant differences were noted between control horses and SCMC ...
Krunajević T, Bergsten G.The clinical and pathological details of a case of ataxia in a 3-month-old colt are described. A marked protrusion into the vertebral canal of the body of the 3rd cervical vertebra was observed. C and C were immovably joined so that the deformity could not be corrected by extension of the spinal column at this point. There was a compression of the spinal cord corresponding to the protrusion. The cause of this luxation could not be established. It may be assumed that the distortion was congenital, or caused by trauma at an early stage and that clinical symptoms could be observed only when, a ma...
Horney BS, Honor DJ, MacKenzie A, Burton S.Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in 10 cows and nine horses were measured using an automated clinical analyzer. The serum samples were divided into aliquots that were stored at room temperature (21 degrees C), refrigerated (0-5 degrees C), or frozen (-30 degrees C). The stability of the SDH activity was monitored at various intervals. SDH activity in bovine sera remained stable for at least 5 hours at room temperature, 24 hours refrigerated, and 72 hours frozen without any significant (p < 0.05) differences from the initial serum values. In equine sera, SDH activity remained st...
Pérez-Marín CC, Vizuete G, Vazquez-Martinez R, Galisteo JJ.Few studies have been published about cryopreservation and embryo assessment in horses and donkeys. Objective: To evaluate the viability of embryos collected from mares and jennies that were cryopreserved by slow freezing or by vitrification. Methods: Randomised controlled experiment. Methods: Horse (n=19) and donkey (n=16) embryos (≤300 μm) were recovered on days 6.5-7.5 post-ovulation and assigned to control or cryopreservation protocols of slow freezing or vitrification. For slow freezing, 1.5 mol/L ethylene glycol (EG) was used. For vitrification, horse embryos were exposed to 1.4 mol/L...
Na W, Hong M, Yeom M, Kim S, Kim JK, Song D.We analyzed the complete genome sequence containing the 3' and 5' noncoding regions (NCRs) of the Korean H3N8 equine influenza virus (EIV), which will provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of EIV.
Fitzgerald BP, Affleck KJ, Barrows SP, Murdoch WL, Barker KB, Loy RG.Two groups of mares were exposed to an abrupt, artificial increase or a natural increase in daylength. In both groups, mean LH pulse frequency increased with time of year and was accompanied by a reciprocal decrease in LH pulse amplitude. A non-pulsatile pattern of LH secretion was observed in some mares sampled close to the day of ovulation. Maximum mean LH pulse frequency and the onset of the breeding season occurred earlier in those mares exposed to an abrupt artificial increase in daylength. In blood samples collected frequently, mean serum LH concentrations increased in relation to time o...
Thompson DL, Reville SI, Walker MP, Derrick DJ, Papkoff H.To study the possible role of ovarian androgens in regulation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in the cycling mare, five mature, intact mares were treated with testosterone (20 micrograms/kg of body weight) daily during estrus; five control mares received safflower oil on the same schedule. Mares were teased for estrus and samples of jugular blood were drawn daily through one full estrous cycle. Concentrations of FSH in plasma were measured by a newly developed radioimmunoassay based on anti-ovine FSH serum and radioiodinated equine FSH. Testosterone treatment during estrus had ...
Czerwinski SL, Lyon AW, Skorobohach B, Léguillette R.Ophthalmic antibiotic therapy in large animals is often used empirically because of the lack of pharmacokinetics studies. The purpose of the study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of topical tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic solution in the tears of normal horses using an automated immunoassay analysis. Results: The mean tobramycin concentrations in the tears at 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 6 hours after administration were 759 (±414), 489 (±237), 346 (±227), 147 (±264), 27.6 (±28.4), 14.8 (±66.6), 6.7 (±18.6), and 23.4 (±73.4) mg/L. Mean tobramycin concentration was maintained abo...
