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.
Satué K, Hernández Á, Lorente C, Fazio E, Medica P.The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that age and sex significantly modulate the changes in hematological parameters of physiologically healthy Spanish Purebred horse, establishing the reference values. Blood samples were obtained on a total of 159 horses (n = 77 males and n = 82 females), classified in four age groups: group A (1-2 years; n = 39), group B (>2-3 years; n = 38), group C (>3-4 years; n = 41), and group D (>4-7 years; n = 41). By means ADVIA 2020i, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HB), packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mea...
Oberhaus EL, Thompson DL, Kerrigan LE, Chapman AM.Stress or excitement is a concern when performing endocrine tests on fractious horses. Sedation may be a solution; however, perturbation of test results may preclude useful information. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a known stimulator of prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), and ACTH. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced ACTH is a diagnostic tool for the assessment of endocrinopathies such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. It is unknown if drugs commonly used for sedation alter endocrine responses. The objective of this study was ...
Ohta M, Bannai H, Nemoto M, Kambayashi Y, Tamura N, Tsujimura K.An inactivated equine influenza virus (EIV) vaccine and a live equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) vaccine are usually administered concurrently to Thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether concurrent administration of an inactivated EIV vaccine and a live EHV-1 vaccine in Thoroughbred racehorses influences the antibody response against EIV. We compared the antibody response against EIV in horses administered both vaccines on the same day (Group A; n = 27) and the response in horses administered an inactivated EIV vaccine first and then a live EHV-1 v...
Balaskas P, Green JA, Haqqi TM, Dyer P, Kharaz YA, Fang Y, Liu X, Welting TJM, Peffers MJ.Ageing is a leading risk factor predisposing cartilage to osteoarthritis. However, little research has been conducted on the effect of ageing on the expression of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs). RNA from young and old chondrocytes from macroscopically normal equine metacarpophalangeal joints was extracted and subjected to small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Differential expression analysis was performed in R using package DESeq2. For transfer RNA (tRNA) fragment analysis, tRNA reads were aligned to horse tRNA sequences using Bowtie2 version 2.2.5. Selected microRNA (miRNAs or miRs) and small nucl...
Shilton CA, Kahler A, Davis BW, Crabtree JR, Crowhurst J, McGladdery AJ, Wathes DC, Raudsepp T, de Mestre AM.The first 8 weeks of pregnancy is a critical time, with the majority of pregnancy losses occurring during this period. Abnormal chromosome number (aneuploidy) is a common finding in human miscarriage, yet is rarely reported in domestic animals. Equine early pregnancy loss (EPL) has no diagnosis in over 80% of cases. The aim of this study was to characterise aneuploidies associated with equine EPL. Genomic DNA from clinical cases of spontaneous miscarriage (EPLs; 14-65 days of gestation) and healthy control placentae (various gestational ages) were assessed using a high density genotyping arr...
Abu-Seida AM, Shamaa AA.Congenital frontal osteoma has not been previously described in horses. This report records-for the first time-a congenital osteoma of the frontal bone in a 4-month-old Arabian filly. The filly had a frontal hard mass that was present at birth and then showed a slow and continuous growth. This mass appeared as a solitary, painless, oval dense tumor of compact bone, about 2 cm in diameter and 3 cm in length. The tumor was asymptomatic, and the skin over the mass was normal. Radiography revealed a well-defined oval, radio-dense mass projecting from the surface of the right frontal bone with no...
Tozaki T, Ohnuma A, Takasu M, Nakamura K, Kikuchi M, Ishige T, Kakoi H, Hirora KI, Tamura N, Kusano K, Nagata SI.Gene doping has raised concerns in human and equestrian sports and the horseracing industry. There are two possible types of gene doping in the sports and racing industry: (1) administration of a gene-doping substance to postnatal animals and (2) generation of genetically engineered animals by modifying eggs. In this study, we aimed to identify genetically engineered animals by whole-genome resequencing (WGR) for gene-doping control. Transgenic cell lines, in which the erythropoietin gene (EPO) cDNA form was inserted into the genome of horse fibroblasts, were constructed as a model of genetica...
El-Deeb W, Fayez M, Elsohaby I, Mkrtchyan HV, Alhaider A.Clostridium difficile (CD) is considered a major health care problem both in developing and developed countries; frequently reported to be associated with enterocolitis and diarrhea in horses and other animals. In this study, we examined acute phase response (APR), cytokines response, neopterin (NP) procalcitonin (PCT) production and oxidative stress condition in horses and foals with C. difficile-induced enterocolitis (CDIE) and evaluated the effectiveness of these parameters as biomarkers for the disease. A total of 407 Arabian horses in 35 stables were examined between January 2017 to Decem...
Perdomo-González DI, Sánchez-Guerrero MJ, Molina A, Valera M.The aim of this work was to analyze genetic parameters such as the inbreeding coefficient (F), relatedness coefficient (AR) and partial inbreeding coefficient (Fij) of the whole PRE population, and the ancestors which account for 50% of the total genetic variability of the current population, from genealogical information. The average F of the whole PRE population (328,706 animals) has decreased from 8.45% to 7.51% in the least 20 years. The Fij was estimated for the whole PRE population, resulting in a database of 58,772,533 records containing one record for each Fij that each animal receives...
Cox A, Wood K, Coleman G, Stewart AJ, Bertin FR, Owen H, Suen WW, Medina-Torres CE.To assess the efficacy of an herbal spray combining various essential oils, with a claim of mast cell stabilisation, antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and insect repellent effects on the clinical presentation of insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses. Methods: Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised, cross-over clinical trial. Methods: Twenty adult horses with clinical IBH were treated with a daily application of herbal spray or placebo for 28 days in a randomised, cross-over fashion, separated by a>28-day washout period. Horses were examined and scored prior to and after the co...
Cavalero TMS, Segabinazzi LGTM, Scheeren VFC, Canuto LEF, Gobato MLM, Papa FF.A 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion was admitted at the hospital with a history of ejaculatory failure for 12 months. The stallion revealed no physical or psychological abnormalities, as well as, normal libido and erection. In addition, there were no abnormalities in accessory sex glands or the aorta artery detected by transrectal ultrasonography. Based on clinical findings, the stallion was diagnosed with an idiopathic ejaculatory dysfunction; therefore, alternative attempts of semen collection were performed. Thermal compress on the basis of the stallion's penis, semen collection on the gro...
Anderson JR, Phelan MM, Foddy L, Clegg PD, Peffers MJ.Osteoarthritis is an age-related degenerative musculoskeletal disease characterized by loss of articular cartilage, synovitis, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Osteoarthritis pathogenesis is yet to be fully elucidated with no osteoarthritis-specific biomarkers in clinical use. equine cartilage explants ( = 5) were incubated in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-supplemented culture media for 8 days, with the media removed and replaced at 2, 5, and 8 days. Acetonitrile metabolite extractions of 8 day cartilage explants and media samples at all time points underwent one-d...
Campos GA, Garcia VFC, Freitas-Dell'Aqua CP, Segabinazzi LGTM, Maciel LFS, Alvarenga MA, Papa FO, Dell'Aqua JA.This study aimed to assess the effects of sodium caseinate and cholesterol to extenders used for stallion semen cooling. Two ejaculates from 19 stallions were extended to 50 million/mL in four different extenders and cooled-stored for 24 hours at 5°C. The extender 1 (E1) consisted of a commercially available skim milk-based extender. The extender 2 (E2) consisted of E1 basic formula with the milk component being replaced by sodium caseinate (20 g/L). The extender 3 (E3) consisted of E1 basic formula added to cholesterol (1.5 mg/120 million sperm). The extender 4 (E4) consisted of a combinat...
Grady SE, Lescun TB, Moore GE, Cooper BR, Davern AJ, Brunner TJ, Taylor SD.The objective was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) and two other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including flunixin meglumine (FM) and phenylbutazone (PB), using a heart bar shoe (HBS) model of reversible foot lameness in horses. Nine adult horses were used in a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. After induction of left front limb lameness using a modified HBS model, one of three NSAIDs (KT, 2.0 mg/kg IV; FM, 1.1 mg/kg IV; PB, 4.4 mg/kg IV) or saline (placebo) was administered IV as a single dose. Lameness was assessed eve...
Choi Y, Yoon M.Androstenone is the first mammalian steroidal pheromone to be identified. Pheromones are chemicals that animals use to communicate within a species. Pheromone detections are related to vomeronasal organ (VNO) and olfactory epithelium (OE) in mammals. Olfactory Receptor Family 7 Subfamily D Member 4 (OR7D4) is an odorant receptor that responds to androstenone. Several studies indicated that spray with androstenone changes behaviors of the boar and dogs. However, the expression of OR7D4 in VNO and OE was not reported in mammals except human. Thus, the main objectives of this study were to invest...
Gaul CE, Rich AF, Ressel L, Hinnigan GJ, Owen KR.This study aimed to determine whether a true synovial structure exists over the olecranon tuberosity, which could be attributed to a noninflamed olecranon bursa. Contrast radiography, gross anatomical dissection, and histopathology were used to evaluate the olecranon bursa in horses with no previous elbow pathology. The radiographic study revealed that the contrast was positioned subcutaneously, superficial to the long head of the triceps and its insertion on the olecranon tuberosity and did not extend cranial to the triceps tendon. The contrast region was consistent in shape, size, and locati...
Mousa WM, Abdel-Wahab AM, El-Gameel Sohila M, Mahdy OA.Cystic echinococcosis is an important cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis that causes public health and economic problems in Egypt. The present study was undertaken to identify genotypes of hydatid cyst (HC) DNA isolated from different animal isolates and to identify the genotype of secondary hydatid cysts (HCs) developed in rabbits experimentally infected with camel HC for detection of any genetic mutation. In the present study, we extracted DNA from the germinal layers of 8 HCs collected from 3 camels, 1 cattle, 1 sheep and 3 donkeys in addition to 3 secondary HCs collected from rabbits experime...
Kovács G, van Dijke A, Enders-Slegers MJ.The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. St...
Treulen F, Aguila L, Arias ME, Jofré I, Felmer R.In vitro manipulation of spermatozoa leads to deleterious changes of structure and function that occur mainly due to oxidative stress, therefore, prevention or treatment is a strategy to improve the functions of processed sperm. In the present study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of MnTBAP supplementation, a compound with antioxidant activity, on in vitro capacitation conditions of thawed equine sperm. For this purpose, stallion spermatozoa (2 × 10 cells/mL) were incubated in the sperm-TLP base medium for 4 h in which there were three different conditions: non-capacitating, capacitating...
Sullivan SN, Altmann NN, Brokken MT, Durgam SS.Primary deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) pathologies and those accompanying degenerative changes of navicular bone fibrocartilage are major causes of lameness associated with navicular disease. Intrasynovial corticosteroids are mainstay in the treatment due to the anti-inflammatory effects, but their effect on DDFT cell biosynthesis are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) on cells isolated from the dorsal fibrocartilaginous region of forelimb DDFTs (DDFT-derived cells) of 5 horses (aged 11-17 years). Non-adherent aggregate c...
Journal of proteomicsAugust 5, 2020
Volume 228 103927 doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103927
Chiaradia E, Pepe M, Sassi P, Mohren R, Orvietani PL, Paolantoni M, Tognoloni A, Sforna M, Eveque M, Tombolesi N, Cillero-Pastor B.Osteochondrosis is a developmental orthopedic disease affecting growing cartilage in young horses. In this study we compared the proteomes of equine chondrocytes obtained from healthy and osteochondrotic cartilage using a label-free mass spectrometry approach. Quantitative changes of some proteins selected for their involvement in different functional pathways highlighted by the bioinformatics analysis, were validated by western blotting, while biochemical alterations of extracellular matrix were confirmed via Raman spectroscopy analysis. In total 1637 proteins were identified, of which 59 wer...
Knych HK, Finno CJ, Baden R, Arthur RM, McKemie DS.The in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone have been extensively characterized; however, there are no published reports describing the in vitro metabolism, specifically the enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of these compounds in horses. Due to their widespread use and, therefore, increased potential for drug-drug interactions and widespread differences in drug disposition, this study aims to build on the limited current knowledge regarding P450-mediated metabolism in horses. Drugs were incubated with equine liver microsomes and a panel of r...
Flash ML, Wong ASM, Stevenson MA, Gilkerson JR.Currently, there is a paucity of data on the barriers for Australian Thoroughbred horses transitioning from stud farm to racetrack. This paper reports the reasons why horses failed to enter race training and documents their exit destinations. Biographical records of Australian Thoroughbred horses born in 2014 were investigated to determine the number of horses that had not officially entered race training by the start of the 4-year old racing season (1 August 2018). Of the 13,677 foals born in 2014, 66% had commenced training and 51% had raced before the beginning of their 4-year-old season in...
Fontanel M, Todd E, Drabbe A, Ropka-Molik K, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Myćka G, Velie BD.Arabian horses are not only one of the most ancient breeds in the world, but they are also one of the most appreciated racehorse breeds today. The breed generates attention for their phenomenal endurance ability and their capability for gallop racing. Consequently, genetic testing to select the best individuals is attracting ever increasing interests from the Arabian industry. As such, the aim of this study was to further investigate associations between performance and variation at candidate genes suspected of having a key role in Arabian gallop racing performance. Generalized linear models w...
Bermingham E, Davis JL, Whittem T.The goal of this editorial is to discuss best practice design, execution and reporting of a pharmacokinetic (PK) study in horses. Our target readers are clinicians who plan to perform this type of research, in a field, clinic or research setting but we also hope that this article might help readers of such work to appraise the articles and understand the quality of the studies. Our emphasis will be on appropriate study design and analytical method, drug and drug formulation choice and route of administration, animal choice, sample collection, storage and shipping, and reporting, rather than th...
Ruet A, Biau S, Arnould C, Galloux P, Destrez A, Pycik E, Boichot L, Lansade L.This study investigated the relationships between four behavioral and postural indicators of a compromised welfare state in loose boxes (stereotypies, aggressive behaviors toward humans, withdrawn posture reflecting unresponsiveness to the environment, and alert posture indicating hypervigilance) and the way horses perceived riding. This perception was inferred using a survey completed by the usual riding instructor and during a standardized riding session (assessment of behaviors and postures, qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) and characterization of the horses' locomotion using an inerti...
Rossi TM, Milwid RM, Moore A, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL.Infectious respiratory disease is a common cause of morbidity among racehorses. Quantification of contact patterns in training facilities could help inform disease prevention strategies. The study objectives were to: i) describe the contact network among horses, locations, and humans at a Standardbred horse training facility in Ontario; ii) describe the characteristics of highly influential individuals; and iii) investigate how management changes alter the network metrics and discuss the potential implications for disease transmission. Proximity loggers detected contacts among horses, staff, a...
Fielding CL, Magdesian KG, Mayer JR.This case report describes 2 endurance horses with non-hepatic hyperammonemia. The animals were competing in a 160-km endurance competition in extreme heat conditions and were presented for obtundation. One of the horses also had evidence of blindness. The blood ammonia concentration was elevated (196 μmol/L and 249 μmol/L) and both horses improved following treatment with intravenous fluids and supportive care. These are the first documented cases of clinical signs presumed to be associated with hyperammonemia in endurance horses. Despite the severity of the clinical presentation, both hors...
Knych HK, Steffey EP, McKemie DS.The objective of the current study was to describe the pharmacokinetics of morphine and its metabolites following intravenous administration to the horse. A total of eight horses (two per dose group) received a single intravenous dose of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.5 mg/kg morphine. Blood samples were collected up to 72 h postdrug administration, analyzed using LC-MS/MS and pharmacokinetic parameters determined. Behavior, step counts, and gastrointestinal activity were also assessed. The beta and gamma half-life for morphine ranged from 0.675 to 2.09 and 6.70 to 18.1 h, respectively, following admini...
Bruin G, Kuipers H, Keizer HA, Vander Vusse GJ.To evaluate markers for overtraining, seven male race horses were subjected to 272 days of training consisting of daily exercise bouts of either endurance running (heart rate 140/min) or interval training (maximal heart rate), both increasing in duration and intensity. An incremental exercise test was held every 4 wk, and from day 187 it was held every 2 wk. Muscle glycogen, muscle lactate, energy-rich phosphates, adrenal response to adrenocorticotropic hormone, plasma and red blood cell volumes, and a number of blood chemical variables were measured. The horses showed symptoms of weight loss,...
Cahill JI, Goulden BE.This study confirmed that neurogenic muscle pathology exists in intrinsic laryngeal muscles supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerves in horses subclinically and clinically affected with laryngeal hemiplegia. An important additional observation was the occurrence in three out of four laryngeal hemiplegic horses of neurogenic muscle changes in a hindlimb muscle, the extensor digitorum longus, a muscle supplied by another long peripheral nerve. This finding suggests that a polynenropathy exists in laryngeal hemiplegic horses, and supports the classification of this disease as a distal axonopath...
Mariella J, Pirrone A, Gentilini F, Castagnetti C.The purposes of this study were to determine physiological changes occurring in hematologic and biochemical parameters in mares between the last month of gestation and the first week after parturition. If a significant change was observed with respect to the reference interval of an adult horse, a further aim of the study was to establish different reference intervals. Blood samples were collected from 62 healthy pregnant Standardbred mares. Seventeen nonpregnant and nonlactating mares were used as a control group. In pregnant mares, blood sampling was conducted every three days from 1 month b...
Bowser JE, Elder SH, Rashmir-Raven AM, Swiderski CE.To describe the use of a cryogenic clamp of novel design for tensile strength testing of tendinous and ligamentous tissues with inherently high tensile strength. Methods: Inexpensive, easily machined steel clamps were manufactured to facilitate rapid insertion into a standard wedge-screw grip apparatus installed on a testing system with a control system attached. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of six horses was trimmed to a uniform dumbbell shape and secured in clamps using partial submersion in liquid nitrogen for approximately 45 seconds and immediately tested. Approximate time betwee...
Goudet G, Bézard J, Duchamp G, Gérard N, Palmer E.Equine oocyte competence after in vitro maturation (IVM) was investigated in terms of the diameter of the follicle of origin and the stage of the estrous cycle, with three criteria of maturation: nuclear stage after DNA Hoechst staining, meiotic spindle morphology after tubulin immunocytochemical staining, and cortical granule localization after lectin labeling. Seven successive in vivo ultrasound-guided follicular punctures were performed on 10 cyclic saddle mares, alternatively at the end of the follicular phase (after induction of ovulation with a gonadotropin injection) and in midluteal ph...
Grace DC, Diall O, Saville K, Warboys D, Ward P, Wild I, Perry BD.Small farmers produce most food in low- and middle-income countries and most small farmers rely on directly or indirectly working equids (WE). The lack of methods and metrics for assessing the role of WE hampers realisation of WE contributions. Based on literature review and a survey of WE welfare experts, we propose a framework for optimising WE potential based on two axes of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and value chains. WE contribute especially to earning and sparing income (largely in food production) (SDG 1), but also have roles in accessing health and hygiene services and product...
Douglas LC, Yi NY, Davis JL, Salmon JH, Gilger BC.In vitro photosensitivity of rapamycin (RAPA) and ocular toxicity and distribution of intravitreal and subconjunctival RAPA was evaluated in normal horses. RAPA (2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg) was placed in 10 mL of PBS and maintained in a water bath at 37 degrees C, kept in the dark or subjected to room light, and sampled for up to 3 months for RAPA levels. Six normal adult horses received either 5 mg (n = 2) or 10 mg (n = 2) of RAPA intravitreally or 10 mg (n = 2) subconjunctivally. Ophthalmic exams and electroretinography (ERG) were performed prior to injection and on days 1, 7, 14, and 21 post-i...
Haridy FM, Morsy TA, Gawish NI, Antonios TN, Abdel Gawad AG.No doubt, fascioliasis tops all the zoonotic helminthes worldwide. In Egypt, human fascioliasis is increasing. The incidence and prevalence of fascioliasis in the Egyptian farm animals are well documented. However, none in Egypt has focused on the potential role of other domestic farm animals. A preliminary coprologic examination of donkeys and horses was done in eight centers of Gharbia governorate. The overall rate of infection in donkeys was 3.03%, in horses was 1.5%, and in mules 0.0%. Horses 2/74 (2.70%) and 1/26 (3.86%) were infected in Zefta and El Mahala El Kobra centers respectively. ...
Nemoto M, Tsunemitsu H, Murase H, Nambo Y, Sato S, Orita Y, Imagawa H, Bannai H, Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T, Matsumura T, Kondo T.Both the G3P[12] and the G14P[12] type of equine group A rotavirus (RVA) have recently become predominant in many countries, including Japan. G3 types are classified further into G3A and G3B. The G3A viruses have been circulating in Europe, Australia, and Argentina, and the G3B viruses have been circulating in Japan. However, only an inactivated vaccine containing a single G3BP[12] strain is commercially available in Japan. To assess the efficacy of the current vaccine against recently circulating equine RVA strains, we examined antibody responses in pregnant mares to recent G3BP[12] and G14P[...
Doherty TJ, Frazier DL.This study investigated the effect of lidocaine i.v. on halothane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) in ponies. Six ponies were anaesthetised with thiopentone and succinylcholine, intubated and anaesthesia maintained with halothane. Ventilation was controlled and blood pressure maintained within clinically acceptable limits. Following a 2 h equilibration period, baseline halothane MAC was determined. The ponies were then given a loading dose of lidocaine (2.5 or 5 mg/kg bwt) or saline over 5 min, followed by a constant infusion of lidocaine (50 or 100 microg/kg/min, or saline, respectively)....
The Journal of traumaJune 1, 1986
Volume 26, Issue 6 559-560 doi: 10.1097/00005373-198606000-00013
Busch HM, Cogbill TH, Landercasper J, Landercasper BO.During the past 6 years 134 patients were admitted as the result of bovine (cow) and equine (horse) trauma. The mechanism of injury was fall from horse in 45 patients, animal assault in 42, animal kick in 39, and animal-drawn vehicle accident in eight. Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranged from 1 to 41 and was greater than or equal to 25 in 11 patients. One hundred seventeen operative procedures were performed by ten groups of surgical subspecialists. Mortality was nil. Ideal management of these injuries includes treatment in a regional trauma center and an educational program of preventive measu...
Ji Z, Zhang J, Deng C, Hu Z, Du Q, Guo T, Wang J, Fan R, Han R, Yang Y.Mare milk(MM)production is lower than that of cow milk (CM), making it a premium product. Unfortunately, sellers adulterate MM with cheap CM to unscrupulously gain more profits. This study aimed to analyze MM adulteration with CM using proteomics and metabolomics. Using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, the relative abundances of certain proteins of caseins and secretoglobin family 1D member were found to be higher with a higher CM admixture percentage. In addition, several metabolites, such as orotic and 4-aminonicotinic acids, increased in the mare-cow milk mixture with an in...
Oliver-Espinosa O.Diarrhea is one of the most important diseases in young foals and may occur in more than half of foals until weaning age. Several infectious and noninfectious underlying causes have been implicated but scientific evidence of pathogenesis is evolving. It is important to investigate all known potential causes and identify infectious agents to avoid outbreaks, evaluate the level of systemic compromise, and establish adequate therapy. It is crucial to differentiate foals that can be managed in field conditions from those that should be sent to a referral center. This article reviews these aspects ...
Kimman TG, Binkhorst GJ, van den Ingh TS, Pol JM, Gielkens AL, Roelvink ME.Aujeszky's disease virus was isolated from the brain of a horse which had shown severe neurological signs, including excessive sweating, muscle tremors and periods of mania. Pathological examination revealed a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. The virus was propagated in cell culture and inoculated into the conjunctiva and nostrils of two ponies. The ponies developed fever seven days after inoculation and subsequently started to behave abnormally, showing severe neurological signs on the ninth day after inoculation. One pony became excited and the other was depressed. One pony died on the n...
Yamashita K, Fujinaga T, Okumura M, Takiguchi M, Tsunoda N, Mizuno S.The serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in horses was measured by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) using rabbit anti-equine CRP serum to evaluate the significance of CRP as an acute-phase reactive protein. In serum samples of clinically normal newborn thoroughbred foals before being given colostrum, serum CRP was not detectable (less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml). The serum CRP concentration was found to increase quickly and reach a peak level of approximately 14.1 micrograms/ml in 12-month-old horses. Then, it decreased gradually to reach a low value of 5.4 micrograms/ml in...
Ehizibolo DO, Kamani J, Ehizibolo PO, Egwu KO, Dogo GI, Salami-Shinaba JO.This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and significance of parasites of horses in northern Nigeria. Blood and faecal samples were randomly collected from 243 horses from different stables in some states of northern Nigeria for laboratory analyses. Fifty-seven horses (23.5%) were found infected with parasites. The hemoparasites detected, 21 (8.6%), include Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma evansi. The endoparasites encountered, 29 (11.9%) were Strongylus spp., Strongyloides spp., Oxyuris equi, Parascaris equorum, Paragonimus spp. and Dicrocoelium s...
Alonso Jde M, Alves AL, Watanabe MJ, Rodrigues CA, Hussni CA.Intra-abdominal adhesions constitute a significant clinical and surgical problem that can lead to complications such as pain and bowel occlusion or subocclusion. These adhesions are frustrating and potentially fatal, representing a major postoperative complication in abdominal surgery. It is estimated that 32% of horses undergoing laparotomy will present clinical symptoms due to adhesions, but the true prevalence is not known because a large proportion of animals with postoperative recurrent colics are medically treated or submitted to euthanasia without necropsy. Adhesions are highly cellular...
Woodward EM, Christoffersen M, Horohov D, Squires EL, Troedsson MH.Research has shown that 6 h after breeding is a critical time during the uterine innate immune response, and the failure to respond appropriately will result in persistent breeding-induced endometritis. This presents a potential opportunity to modulate the course of inflammation towards a timely resolution. Objective: To evaluate the effects of immune modulation on endometrial mRNA expression of inflammatory genes in susceptible mares 6 h after breeding. The hypothesis was that immune modulation alters endometrial cytokine expression in susceptible mares. Methods: A randomised controlled s...
Lamprecht ED, Williams CA.Objectives were to evaluate effects of (1) repetitive arthrocentesis on biomarkers of inflammation (prostaglandin E(2), PGE(2)) and aggrecan synthesis (chondroitin sulfate-846; CS) in synovial fluid (SF); (2) exercise and superoxide dismutase (SOD) supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, antioxidant status, and aggrecan synthesis, in horses. Preliminary trial. Standardbreds underwent four arthrocentesis procedures within 48 h and exhibited elevated CS and no changes in PGE(2). Exercise trial. this randomized crossover design used twelve Standardbred mares which received either treatment...
Ott EC, Cavinder CA, Wang S, Smith T, Lemley CO, Dinh TTN.Oxidative stress caused by routine physical stressors may negatively impact the performance of equine athletes; thus, the present study identifies oxidative biomarkers in the blood plasma of exercising horses. Stock-type horses were subject to a standardized moderate-intensity exercise protocol 3 times per week for 8 wk. Exercise protocol followed NRC guidelines consisting of 30% walk, 55% trot, and 15% canter, with a target heart rate (HR) of 90 BPM. Blood plasma was collected in wk 1, 2, 7, and 8 immediately before and 0, 30, 60, and 90 min after exercise and analyzed for total antioxidant...
The testicular and epididymal fluids of ram, boar, and stallion were analyzed by means of one-dimensional and two-dimensional gelatin gel zymography. Five main gelatinolytic bands were revealed in the ram and at least seven were observed in the boar and stallion. These proteolytic bands showed regionalized distribution throughout the organs. The two main proteolytic activities at around 54-66 kDa retrieved in all three species were inhibited by EDTA and phenanthroline, indicating that they were metallo-dependent enzymes. The activity of some of the low-molecular-weight gelatinases was also dec...
Weese JS, Anderson ME, Lowe A, Penno R, da Costa TM, Button L, Goth KC.Probiotics have not been demonstrated to provide any beneficial health effects in horses, possibly because of improper selection of probiotic organisms. This study was designed to identify lactic acid bacteria of equine origin with predetermined beneficial properties which might make them useful as therapeutic probiotics. Objective: A small percentage of lactic acid bacteria that are native to the intestinal tract of horses possess properties that may be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of gastrointestinal disease in horses. Methods: Faecal samples were collected from healthy mature h...
Moore JM, Timperio AF, Crawford DA, Burns CM, Cameron-Smith D.Jockeys are required to maintain very low body weight and precise weight control during competition. This study examined the weight loss and weight management strategies of professional horseracing jockeys in the state of Victoria, Australia. An anonymous, self-completed questionnaire was administered (55% response rate, n = 116). Almost half (43%) reported that maintaining riding weight was difficult or very difficult, with 75% routinely skipping meals. In preparation for racing, 60% reported that they typically required additional weight loss, with 81% restricting food intake in the 24 hours...
Carlson ER, Stewart AA, Carlson KL, Durgam SS, Pondenis HC.To compare the effects of autologous equine serum (AES) and autologous conditioned serum (ACS) on equine articular chondrocyte metabolism when stimulated with recombinant human (rh) interleukin (IL)-1β. Methods: Articular cartilage and nonconditioned and conditioned serum from 6 young adult horses. Methods: Cartilage samples were digested, and chondrocytes were isolated and formed into pellets. Chondrocyte pellets were treated with each of the following: 10% AES, 10% AES and rhIL-1β, 20% AES and rhIL-1β, 10% ACS and rhIL-1β, and 20% ACS and rhIL-1β, and various effects of these treatments...
Ginther OJ, Bergfelt DR, Beg MA, Meira C, Kot K.In cattle and mares, free insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is higher in the future dominant follicle (F1) than in the future largest subordinate follicle (F2) before deviation in diameter or selection is manifested between the two follicles. The effect of IGF-1 on other follicular-fluid factors and on the destiny of F2 were studied in two experiments in each species, using a total of 40 heifers and 42 mares. An injection of IGF-1 was made into F2 at the expected beginning of deviation (heifers, F1 >or= 8.5 mm; mares, F1 >or= 20.0 mm; Hour 0). In heifers, follicular fluid was taken fr...
Johnson AL, McAdams-Gallagher SC, Aceto H.There are no studies evaluating a large population of adult horses treated for botulism. Reported survival rates in outbreak situations are low; however, many horses in outbreaks do not receive treatment. Objective: That adult horses treated at a veterinary hospital would have improved survival compared to outbreak situations. Additional aims included identification of predictors of nonsurvival. Methods: All horses greater than 6 months of age with a final diagnosis of botulism admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital between 1989 and 2013 were included. Methods: Retrospective study. Histori...
Wray H, Elliott J, Bailey SR, Harris PA, Menzies-Gow NJ.The mechanisms underlying individual animal predisposition to pasture-associated laminitis remain unclear; however, chronic inflammation is implicated. Objective: To identify differences in the inflammatory profile of a group of previously laminitic ponies compared with control animals at pasture in late spring and winter. Methods: Previously laminitic (PL; n = 38 and 42) and nonlaminitic control ponies (NL; n = 41 and 39) were sampled in late spring and winter. Body condition score, height, weight and crest height and thickness were measured. Plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α...
Delguste C, Amory H, Doucet M, Piccot-Crézollet C, Thibaud D, Garnero P, Detilleux J, Lepage OM.Tiludronate, a bisphosphonate, has recently been introduced in veterinary medicine to treat orthopedic conditions in the horse. This study was designed to evaluate its effects on biochemical biomarkers of bone metabolism and on bone density and structure in an experimental model of disuse osteoporosis induced by cast application in horses. Methods: Two groups of eight horses were immobilized during 8 weeks. The first group (P-group) received a placebo, and the second group (T-group) received tiludronate 1 mg/kg by slow IV infusion. Both treatments were administered twice, 28 days apart. Immobi...
Alves KA, Alves BG, Rocha CD, Visonná M, Mohallem RF, Gastal MO, Jacomini JO, Beletti ME, Figueiredo JR, Gambarini ML, Gastal EL.Regardless of species, advances in preantral follicle culture and cryopreservation and transplant of ovarian tissue techniques are dependent on the number and density of preantral follicles in the ovary. This study tested the effect of different histological section thicknesses on number, classification, and density of equine preantral follicles. An ovarian fragment was obtained from 5- to 10-year-old mares (n = 14) after slaughter, and each fragment was submitted to three histological section thickness treatments: 3, 5, and 7 μm. The area (cm(2)) of each ovarian fragment was measured, and...
