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.
Murray MJ, Haven ML, Eichorn ES, Zhang D, Eagleson J, Hickey GJ.Seventeen Thoroughbred horses with moderate to severe gastric ulceration were purchased from a race track within 10 days of racing and were treated once daily with either omeprazole (9 horses) or vehicle (8 horses) and evaluated gastroscopically for ulcer healing. Horses were administered omeprazole (1.5 mg/kg bwt/day) or vehicle by nasogastric tube once daily. Gastroscopic examination was performed on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28, until lesions healed completely. Selected images of gastric lesions were captured by computer at each endoscopic examination, with a measuring caliper in...
Southwood LL, Baxter GM, Hutchison JM, Shuster R.To obtain information from specialists in equine surgery as to prevalence of, predisposing factors for, and methods to prevent postoperative adhesion formation in horses undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: Survey. Methods: Surveys were mailed to 196 diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons involved in equine practice. Results: 60 (31%) surveys were returned. Most respondents (55/60) routinely informed clients of the risk of postoperative adhesion formation in horses with small intestinal lesions. When asked after which procedures they routinely used measures to prevent adhe...
Mills PC, Ng JC, Kramer H, Auer DE.Five clinically healthy Thoroughbred geldings were injected with Freund's adjuvant 3 times to induce a chronic inflammatory response. Blood was collected at various times before and after adjuvant administration. Clinical responses (rectal temperature and general demeanor) were also monitored. Adjuvant injection induced increases in rectal temperature and plasma fibrinogen concentration (maximum levels measured were mean +/- s.d. 39.7 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 8.2 +/- 0.3 g/l, respectively), indicative of an inflammatory response. A mild clinical depression was also observed in the horses for 24 h...
Gottschalk RD, van den Berg SS.Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in 11 mares and unilateral ovariectomy in 2 mares. The horses were standing and sedated for surgery. After appropriate preparation a laparoscope was inserted into the abdomen through the paralumbar fossa and the ovary was identified and anaesthetised with local anaesthetic via a custom-built needle. The ovary was then withdrawn from the abdomen through a separate flank incision and removed. The abdomen was not distended with gas before surgery. This method proved to be minimally invasive, rapid and effective.
Williams TM, Dobson GP, Mathieu-Costello O, Morsbach D, Worley MB, Phillips JA.To establish a skeletal muscle profile for elite sprinters, we obtained muscle biopsy samples from the vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius and soleus of African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Muscle ultrastructure was characterized by the fiber type composition and mitochondrial volume density of each sample. Maximum enzyme activity, myoglobin content and mixed fiber metabolite content were used to assess the major biochemical pathways. The results demonstrate a preponderance of fast-twitch fibers in the locomotor muscles of cheetahs; 83% of the total number of fibers examined in the vastus laterali...
Guillot J, Sarfati J, Ribot X, Jensen HE, Latgé JP.To detect antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in serum samples from horses and to evaluate the relevance of this method as an alternative approach to the diagnosis of mycosis of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch mycosis [GPM]). Methods: Twelve clinically normal horses (controls) and 12 horses with GPM diagnosed by endoscopic observation of characteristic mycotic plaques. Methods: Antibodies to A fumigatus antigens were detected in serum by use of an ELISA and immunoblot analysis with extracellular antigens. Results: Antibodies against A fumigatus antigens were found ...
Whitton RC, Rose RJ.To determine the frequency of damage to the medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL), and the range of sizes of the dorsomedial intercarpal ligament (DMICL) of the midcarpal joint in horses with no history of carpal joint disease. Methods: Cadaver limbs were collected from 72 horses with no history of carpal joint disease. One hundred and forty-two midcarpal joints were dissected and the MPICL and DMICL were examined. Measurements were made with a digital micrometer. Results: MPICL tearing was present in 88 of 96 joints from horses 2 years and older. Tears were predominantly of the dorsolate...
DiPietro JA, Hutchens DE, Lock TF, Walker K, Paul AJ, Shipley C, Rulli D.A clinical trial carried out over 98 days was done to evaluate treatment of horses with moxidectin gel for efficacy as measured by (1) reduction in the production of parasite ova post treatment, (2) a comparison of the posttreatment parasite egg count suppression of moxidectin to ivermectin, and (3) assessment of the field safety, animal acceptance of the moxidectin formulation, and the utility of the moxidectin delivery device. One hundred and fifty Standardbred horses with naturally acquired parasite infections were used in the study. Moxidectin had more prolonged and greater suppressive inf...
McKeever KH, Malinowski K.To test the hypothesis that, compared with unfit young horses, unfit older horses have lower aerobic capacity and reduction in other indices of exercise capacity. Methods: 6 young (mean +/- SEM, 5.3 +/- 0.8 years and 445 +/- 13 kg) and 6 aged (22.0 +/- 0.4 years and 473 +/- 18 kg) healthy Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares. Methods: The mares, accustomed to running on a treadmill, were tested by use of an incremental exercise test. None of the mares had received exercise training for at least 4 months prior to the study. During testing, mares ran up a fixed 6% grade, starting at a speed of 4 ...
Weiss DJ, Evanson OA, McClenahan D, Fagliari JJ, Jenkins K.To determine whether platelets are hyperaggregable or form platelet-neutrophil aggregates during the prodromal stages of acute laminitis of ponies. Methods: Healthy adult ponies: 8 experimental and 6 control. Methods: Acute laminitis was induced by oral administration of corn starch and wood flour to 8 ponies, and indices of platelet activation were evaluated. Blood samples were collected before and at 4, 8, 12, 24, 28, and 32 hours after carbohydrate administration, and PCV, total plasma protein concentration, platelet count, activated clotting time, whole blood recalcification time, spontane...
Rose PL, Seeherman H, O'Callaghan M.Comminuted fractures of the middle phalanx have been well described in the horse. Choice of treatment, surgical planning and prognosis have traditionally been based upon evaluation of radiographs. However, the complex nature of comminuted fractures makes radiographic interpretation difficult. Computed tomography (CT) allows the production of cross-sectional images with spatial separation of structures which are superimposed on survey radiographs. This allows accurate assessment of the number and direction of fracture lines within the bone. In this paper we report the use of CT in the evaluatio...
Weil AB, Keegan RD, Greene SA.To determine whether a low dose of atropine is associated with decreased requirement for cardiovascular supportive treatment in horses given detomidine prior to maintenance of general anesthesia with halothane. Methods: 3 groups of 10 healthy horses. Methods: Detomidine (20 micrograms/kg of body weight, i.m.) was administered to all 30 horses. Then, 10 horses received atropine (0.006 mg/kg, i.v.) 1 hour after detomidine administration, 10 horses received atropine (0.012 mg/kg, i.m.) at the time of detomidine administration, and 10 horses served as a control group. Heart rate was measured prior...
Belloli C, Re G, Arioli F, Badino P, Carcano R, Odore R, Girardi C, Beretta C.To identify beta-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in motility inhibition of circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers of equine ileum. Methods: Isolated strips of equine ileum circular smooth muscle and membrane preparations from circular and longitudinal muscle layers. Methods: Functional assays of circular muscle preparations and radioligand binding assays and measurements of cAMP production in smooth muscle membranes from circular and longitudinal layers. Results: Selective beta-adrenergic agonists exerted inhibitory effects on circular muscle preparations. Binding studies of cell membra...
Church S, Middleton DJ.Two horses, presented for investigation of chronic weight loss despite normal to increased feed intake, had flat oral glucose absorption curves, suggesting malabsorption. The cause of the apparent malabsorption was not evident grossly or on light microscopic examination of the intestinal tract. Both horses survived long term and at follow-up examination had regained weight and their capacity to absorb glucose. These cases illustrate that flat glucose absorption curves may occur in horses with no obvious intestinal lesions, that they may revert to normal and that the results of these tests shou...
Seahorn TL, Beadle RE, McGorum BC, Marley CL.To determine whether horses with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (SPAOPD) have increased concentrations of antigen-specific IgG and IgE in tracheal lavage fluid, compared with values in clinically normal horses. Methods: 8 horses (6 females, 2 geldings; 6 Quarter Horses, 2 Appaloosas), 14 to 23 years old and with previous diagnosis of SPAOPD, served as the principal group; 8 horses (2 females, 6 geldings; 1 Quarter Horse, 7 Thoroughbreds), 6 to 9 years old, with no evidence of respiratory tract disease, served as the control group. Methods: Data were collected twice dur...
Cauvin ER, Munroe GA, Boswell J, Boyd JS.This study was undertaken to establish the gross anatomy and the ultrasonographic appearance of the carpal digital flexor tendon sheath (carpal sheath) and the palmar carpal region in normal horses. The isolated forelimbs from 15 horses were used to study the morphology of the sheath and associated structures, including a detailed study of the location of the main blood vessels and nerves in that region. These limbs and the forelimbs of five live, sound horses were also examined ultrasonographically. The examination yielded good soft tissue detail of the tendons and ligaments, synovial and per...
Swardson CJ, Lichtenstein DL, Wang S, Montelaro RC, Kociba GJ.To characterize infection of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) by determining virus production, effects on viability, and induction of cytokines. Methods: BMDM obtained from bone marrow of 6 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: BMDM were infected with EIAV at a multiplicity of infection of 8. Cell viability, percentage of cells with detectable viral protein, reverse transcriptase activity, and concentrations of infective virus (focus-forming units/ml), interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured in culture supernatant samples...
Cook G, Papich MG, Roberts MC, Bowman KF.To determine the i.v. pharmacokinetics of cisapride and measure systemic absorption after rectal administration. Methods: 5 healthy adult mares (380 to 610 kg). Methods: Cisapride was administered, i.v., at a dosage of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight. In the same horses, after a 1-week washout period, cisapride was administered rectally at a dosage of 1 mg/kg by mixing crushed tablets with propylene glycol and administering the mixture into the rectum. After each drug administration, a series of blood samples were collected. Plasma was obtained and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography t...
Wohlsein P, Pohlenz JF, Davidson FL, Salt JS, Hamblin C.The distribution of viral antigen was studied in various tissues of three ponies, aged 3-4 years, infected experimentally with a virulent strain of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) serotype 4. Tissues were collected from the animals in the terminal stage of the peracute form of the disease and from one noninfected horse, included as a control. A polyclonal antibody with specificity for AHSV, plus the nonstructural protein NS2, was used in a sensitive avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex (ABC) method performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. AHSV antigen was located primari...
Borchers K, Frölich K.Twenty-one blood samples of free-ranging mountain zebras (Equus zebra) from Namibia were tested for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1, -2, -3, -4) specific antibodies by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and neutralization test (NT). Additionally, type-specific nested polymerase chain reactions (nested PCR) were employed for detection of EHV-1, -2 and -4 DNA. Equine herpesvirus-1 antibodies were detected by IFA in all zebras, while only seven serum samples contained EHV-4 IFA antibodies. Sera with high IFA antibodies also were found to neutralize EHV-1 and -4. Furthermore, 20 zebras were EHV-2 seropositi...
Keg PR, van Weeren PR, Back W, Barneveld A.The influence of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the flexion test of the distal forelimb was investigated in a group of eight sound horses. The degree of lameness after the flexion test was scored by a standard clinical classification, and by measuring the angle of maximum fetlock extension by means of the infrared light-based MacReflex gait analysis system. There was a good correlation between the clinical score and this electronically recorded kinematic parameter (r = 0.96). Both the force applied and the period of application affected the outcome of the tes...
Saetang T, Treamwattana N, Suttijitpaisal P, Ratanabanangkoon K.A quantitative comparison was made on the fractionation of pepsin-digested horse antivenoms by ammonium sulfate (AS) fractional precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose. In the precipitation process, pepsin digested horse anti-Naja kaouthia serum was precipitated by 30% saturated AS followed by 50% saturated AS. The recovery of antibody activity [as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against the cobra postsynaptic neurotoxin 3] from the 30-50% saturated AS precipitate was 53% with a 1.93-fold purification. For the chromatographic process, the behavior ...
Stewart AJ, Wright JC, Behrend EN, Martin LG, Kemppainen RJ, Busch KA.To determine the lowest ACTH dose that would induce a significant increase in serum cortisol concentration and identify the time to peak cortisol concentration in healthy neonatal foals. Methods: Prospective randomized crossover study. Methods: 11 healthy neonatal foals. Methods: Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or 1 of 4 doses (0.02, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/kg [0.009, 0.045, 0.114, and 0.227 μg/lb]) of cosyntropin (synthetic ACTH) was administered IV. Serum cortisol concentrations were measured before and 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after administration of cosyntropin or saline s...
Faber E, Tshilwane SI, Van Kleef M, Pretorius A.Expanding on our previous work, this study used transcriptome analysis of RNA sequences to investigate the various factors that contributed to either inducing apoptosis that resulted in cell death or promoting the survival of African horse sickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV4)-infected horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after 24 h. Apoptosis is a host defense mechanism that prevents virus replication, accumulation and spread of progeny viruses. AHSV4-infected PBMC were killed via the intrinsic and the perforin/granzyme pathways of apoptosis during the attenuated AHSV4 (attAHSV4) in v...
Rutkowski JA, Richardson DW.The records of 100 horses with clinical or radiographic diagnosis of a pelvic fracture were reviewed to determine prognostic indicators associated with clinical signs or radiographic fracture characteristics. Degree of lameness, soft tissue swelling, crepitis, muscle atrophy, skeletal external assymetry and palpable assymetry on rectal examination were evaluated. There was no significant relationship between the aforementioned clinical signs and the long-term cause outcome. Fracture sites or presence of an acetabular fracture were not related to prognosis. The positive outcome of 77 per cent o...
Zantingh AJ, Ducharme NG, Mitchell LM, Cheetham J.To determine the effects of hypoglossal nerve block and electrical stimulation of the thyrohyoideus muscles on position of the larynx and hyoid apparatus in resting horses. Methods: 16 healthy horses that underwent hypoglossal nerve block and 5 healthy horses that underwent electrical stimulation of the thyrohyoideus muscles. Methods: Horses underwent bilateral hypoglossal nerve block or electrical stimulation of the thyrohyoideus muscles. Positions of the basihyoid bone, ossified part of the thyroid cartilage, and articulations of the thyrohyoid bones and thyroid cartilage were determined in ...
Galati P, Roperto F, De Vico G, Restucci B, D'Andrea F.Specimens of the tracheal epithelium were obtained from two sites in nine healthy horses by a fibre optic endoscope. Electron microscopic examination of 53,550 cilia revealed that 5.2 per cent of cilia were atypical. Nine hundred and seventeen (1.7 per cent) were compound, 78 (0.15 per cent) were swollen, 27 (0.05 per cent) were intracytoplasmic and 171 (3.35 per cent) had microtubular defects. These microtubular defects (159 peripheral and 12 central) were found in 5103 cross-sectioned cilia.
Marsh JA, Hallett FR, Owen RR.A comparison of methods of preparing the hyaluronic acid of equine synovial fluid for quantitative spectrophotographic analysis is presented. A new method is proposed which appears superior to the previous methods.
Cordes V, Lüpke M, Gardemin M, Seifert H, Staszyk C.In equine dentistry periodontal diseases, especially periapical inflammation, are frequently occurring problems. Anachoresis is believed to be the most common cause for the development of such disorders. Nevertheless, there is still no substantiated explanation why settlement of pathogen microorganisms occurs in equine periodontal tissues. It is expected that excessive strains and stresses occurring in the periodontal ligament (PDL) during the horse's chewing cycle might be a predisposing factor. In this study this assumption was examined by finite element (FE) analyses on virtual 3-D models o...
Zakia LS, MacNicol JL, Borges AS, Yu S, Boerlin P, Gomez DE, Surette MG, Arroyo LG.This study compared the prevalence of C. innocuum DNA in the feces of healthy horses and horses with acute colitis. C. innocuum was identified in 22% (15/68) of colitis cases and 18% (12/68) of healthy horses (p = 0.416).
Pirie M, Pirie HM, Wright NG.The surface features of the upper respiratory tract of 20 clinically normal horses of various ages and types were studied with scanning electron microscopy. In the rostral part of the nasal cavity, there was a wide zone of non-ciliated epithelium whereas, caudally, the surface was well ciliated. This latter type of epithelium extended into the nasopharynx and guttural pouches although scattered areas of non-ciliated microvillous cells were also found.
Pusterla N, Pratt SM, Magdesian KG, Carlson GP.This paper describes the clinical, laboratory and histological findings in three horses with immune-mediated polysynovitis; they had lost weight, suffered intermittent fever, were lethargic and stiff, and had effusions in several joints. Laboratory abnormalities included anaemia, leucocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a suppurative, non-septic inflammation in at least two different joints in each of the horses and the presence of immunoglobulins in the synovial membrane of one of them. The horses were treated with a combination of ...
Stewart F, Maher JK.The number of genes encoding the common alpha-subunit and hormone-specific beta-subunits of the equine gonadotrophins (FSH, LH and CG) were investigated in the horse (Equus caballus), donkey (E. asinus) and 2 horse x donkey hybrids (the mule and hinny). The Southern technique, involving restriction enzyme digestion, blotting and DNA hybridization to 32P-labelled DNA probes was used to estimate the copy number for each gene and to assess the extent to which equids resemble primates, the only other animals that secrete a CG during pregnancy. These methods indicated that, in common with mammals, ...
Delbeke FT, Debackere M, Desmet N, Stevens M.Concentrations of the potent diuretic bumetanide were determined by a sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic procedure in plasma and urine from horses following intravenous and intramuscular administration of a dose rate of 15 micrograms/kg. The elimination half-life was found to be 6.3 min, the volume of distribution at steady state 68 ml/kg and the total plasma clearance 10.9 ml/min/kg. The onset of diuresis occurred within 15 min and diuresis was no longer apparent 1 h after i.v. administration. Given by the intramuscular (i.m.) route, bumetanide was rapidly absorbed; bioavailabi...
Crabill MR, Watkins JP, Schneider RK, Auer JA.To determine the technique used, and the outcome for, double-plate fixation of comminuted fractures of the second phalanx of horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records. Methods: 10 horses with comminuted fractures of the second phalanx that were treated by use of double-plate fixation. Methods: Two 4- to 6-hole dynamic compression plates were abaxially placed to achieve arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint and fixation of the fracture of the second phalanx. Results: Arthrodesis and fracture healing were detected in all horses. Conclusions: Horses with comminuted fr...
Littlejohn A, Bowles F.Radiometer Blood Micro-system 2 was used in studies designed to, (a) compare the mean blood gas and acid-base values of 38 normal horses and 20 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), (b) determine the means and standard deviations of blood gas and acid-base values of Thoroughbred horses in training, and (c) investigate the relationships between clinical data, blood gas values, intracardiac and pulmonary arterial pressures in subjects with COPD. There were significant differences between the mean values for partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide (...
Dall'Aglio C, Bazzucchi C, Mercati F, Ceccarelli P.Leptin is a hormone widely diffused in the mammalian body in which it plays functions that go far beyond control of appetite and energy metabolism. The finding that it is present in the major salivary glands of various animal species is of interest for the functional implications that it may imply. Since there are no data on the presence of leptin and its receptor in the minor salivary glands, the aim of this study was to demonstrate their presence and distribution in such glands of donkeys. This latter was chosen as species of reference because the monogastric herbivore shows intense salivati...
Ghassab S, Dulin J, Bertone AL.To compare clotting efficiency of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and concentrated platelet-poor plasma (cPPP) to citrated whole blood after activation by autologous thrombin, bovine thrombin, or calcium chloride (CaCl2 ). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n = 6). Methods: PRP and cPPP were prepared by commercial devices. Using thromboelastography, clotting variables were compared after activation of citrated autologous blood, PRP, and cPPP by autologous thrombin, bovine thrombin, or CaCl2 , respectively. Results: PRP had the greatest clot strength and quickest clot rate, ...
Baker WT, Slone DE, Lynch TM, Johnson CR, Baker WA.To evaluate the racing and sales performance of Thoroughbred horses with varus angular limb deformities of the carpus treated by unilateral or bilateral single transphyseal screw (STS) placement. Methods: Case series. Methods: Thoroughbred horses (n=53). Methods: Medical records (January 1, 2005-December 31, 2006) of yearling Thoroughbreds treated for carpal angular limb deformity by transphyseal screw insertion in the distal aspect of the radius were reviewed. Retrieved data were sex, surgery, and screw removal dates, surgical site, appearance, limb(s) affected, type of angular limb deformity...
Buss DD, Bisgard GE.Hemodynamics and myocardial contractility were evaluated in 6 unanesthetized ponies during hypocapnic and isocapnic hypoxia and during hypocapnic hypoxia after beta adrenergic blockade with propranolol. Hypocapnic hypoxia, with a mean arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) of 41.9 mm of Hg, produced a decrease in stroke index and an increase in heart rate, with no change of cardiac index. A moderate increase in left ventricular contractility occurred during hypocapnic hypoxia. Beta adrenergic blockade abolished changes in nearly all indices of left ventricular contractility during hypocapnic hypoxia,...
Rebhun WC, Mirro EJ, Georgi ME, Kern TJ.Habronemic blepharoconjunctivitis was characterized clinically by raised yellow gritty plaques in the palpebral and bulbar conjunctivae. Lid granulomas and blepharitis were observed in some cases. On histologic examination, mast cells, eosinophils, and collagenolysis was found in most sections, but if only one section was examined an erroneous diagnosis of mastocytosis could have been made. Treatment consisted of larvicidal mixtures for lid lesions and organophosphate ophthalmic drops along with corticosteroids for the conjunctivitis. If the cornea was damaged by the gritty conjunctival plaque...
Muir WW, Hamlin RL.The influence of breathing various concentrations of carbon dioxide and oxygen upon minute volume, tidal volume, and respiratory rate were examined in acetylpromazine-tranquilized horses. Responses in the horses before (control period) and after tranquilization were qualitatively similar to increases in carbon dioxide and to alterations in oxygen. The quantitative responses to these changes were less in tranquilized horses than in the same horses studied in the untranquilized state. Tranquilization had its most prominent effect upon respiratory rate in horses breathing room air.
Vudathala D, Murphy L.A simple and highly sensitive LC/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of six ionophores--lasalocid, monensin, laidlomycin, maduramycin, salinomycin, and narasin--in feed. The procedure involved extraction of 1 g of feed with 4 mL of methanol-water (9 + 1, v/v) by shaking on a platform shaker for 45 min. After centrifugation, the extracts were diluted with methanol-water (75 + 25, v/v) and analyzed without any cleanup. The analysis was performed on a Betasil C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm id, 5 pm particle size) connected to an LC/MS system operated in the atmospheric pressure c...
Álvarez C, Luño V, González N, Gil L.Sperm quality in donkeys (Equus asinus) after freezing thawing is still considered lower than that from other animals, including horses. The aim of this study was to test a new freezing extender supplemented with jenny colostrum on donkey sperm. After thawing, we evaluated sperm motility by means of computer-assisted analysis, viability by SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI), membrane functional integrity by HOS-test and acrosome integrity by isothiocyanate conjugated with peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) and PI. Ejaculates were collected from five fertile Donkeys. Sperm samples were pooled, diluted...
