Topic:Experimental Methods
Experimental methods in equine research encompass a variety of techniques and procedures used to investigate physiological, behavioral, and health-related aspects of horses. These methods are designed to collect data that can enhance the understanding of equine biology and inform veterinary practices. Common experimental approaches include controlled trials, observational studies, and laboratory-based experiments. Techniques may involve the use of non-invasive imaging, biochemical assays, and physiological monitoring to assess parameters such as metabolic function, locomotion, and disease progression. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the application, development, and evaluation of experimental methods in the study of equine science.
Cannabidiol-induced cellular and matrix-associated responses in primary equine sarcoid cells. Sarcoids are locally invasive skin tumors in equids, associated with bovine papillomavirus. Objective: Address potential applications of cannabidiol (CBD) in veterinary medicine. We evaluated the response of equine sarcoid cells to CBD in vitro, focusing on viability, invasiveness, and matrix remodeling. Methods: Three primary sarcoid cell lines. Methods: Cells were treated with CBD (20, 6.75, 2.25, 0.75 μM) and incubated for 6, 24, 48, 72 hours. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis were assessed using the ApoTox-Glo Assay. Based on these results, further analyses were performed for ...
Equine lameness detection and monitoring during diagnostic anaesthesia with an instrumented hoof boot. Ground reaction forces are accepted as gold standard for objective assessment of weightbearing lameness but measurements at the hoof are limited to experimental devices. This study aimed to evaluate whether innovative instrumented hoof boots (IHBs) could detect and monitor lameness in horses during diagnostic anaesthesia. Twenty-six horses referred for lameness examination (15 front limbs, 17 hindlimbs) were equipped with IHBs and body mounted inertial sensors. Data were collected simultaneously before and after diagnostic anaesthesia until objectively considered positive. Recorded IHB data i...
Clinical and research applications of synthetic bone substitutes in equine veterinary medicine: A systematic review. Bone grafting in equine medicine offers a promising contribution to treating orthopaedic developmental diseases and chondral, osteochondral and segmental bone defects. Among grafts, synthetic bone substitutes-alloplastics-show favourable biological properties addressing numerous limitations presented by autografts, xenografts and allografts. Objective: To compile and disseminate clinical data and research findings from existing publications on the use of alloplastics in horses. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis 202...
Effect of feeder style on intake rate of equine concentrates. There are many different concentrate feeders available to horse owners, but little data exists on feeder effect of equine intake rate. Rapid consumption ("bolting") is associated with issues such as esophageal obstruction. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate three common concentrate feeders on intake rate. We hypothesized horses would have the slowest intake rate when fed from the trough. Methods: Four geldings were fed 0.454 kg of concentrate from a pan on the ground (P), shallow trough (T), or hanging feeder (H). Horses were randomly assigned a first feeder and then rotate...
Combined Analysis of the Transcriptome and Metabolome at Different Tissue Glycogen Levels in Yili Horses. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between genes and metabolites involved in glycogen metabolism across different tissues of Yili mares using joint transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Glycogen content was measured in various tissues (pincer, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, gluteus medius, semitendinosus, external abdominal obliques, liver, and heart) from seven Yili mares. The liver, as the visceral tissue with the highest glycogen content, and the gluteus medius, as the muscle with the highest glycogen content, were selected for transcriptomic sequencing and metabolomic analys...
Comparative Evaluation of Follicular Flushing Frequency and Scraping Time During Ovum Pick-Up in Mares: Effects on Oocyte Recovery Rate and Technical Considerations. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration or ovum pick-up (OPU) has become the standard technique for oocyte collection in mares for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Although repeated follicular flushes and wall scraping are commonly used to improve oocyte recovery rate (ORR), the relative contribution of each remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of multiple flushes versus controlled scraping time on ORR in mares. A controlled trial was conducted in two phases: (1) an ex vivo phase using slaughterhouse ovaries (n = 32), and (2) an in vivo phase in c...
RNA-seq evaluation of equine alveolar macrophages and monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to an inflammatory stimulus (short communication). Macrophage populations in the lung, including resident alveolar macrophages (AMs) and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), recognize the inhaled particulates in barn dust that cause severe equine asthma and orchestrate an immune response though the cytokines they produce. Despite their importance, the specific contributions of these macrophage subsets to lower airway inflammation remain poorly understood. This exploratory in vitro study investigated the likely contributions of AMs and MDMs from healthy horses to the early inflammatory response using RNA-seq. If biologically importan...
Effects of intravenous oxytocin on plasma serotonin and trainability in horses. Oxytocin (OXT) plays a crucial role in regulating the serotonin (5-HT) system and behavior. Although previous studies have reported significant relationships among OXT, 5-HT, and behavioral responses, the effects of OXT on 5-HT concentrations and behavioral traits in horses remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intravenous OXT administration on plasma 5-HT concentrations and trainability in horses. A crossover design was employed using eight horses, each receiving either a 10-IU intravenous dose of OXT or normal saline. Blood samples were collected at baselin...
Endothelial glycocalyx of equine intestinal vessels: electron microscopic and immunohistochemical imaging. To visualize the endothelial glycocalyx in equine intestinal vessels using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry and to evaluate the impact of induced endotoxemia on its integrity. Unassigned: 6 healthy horses free of gastrointestinal disease were anesthetized with dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and diazepam and mechanically ventilated under isoflurane anesthesia. Jejunal venous tissue samples were collected after perfusion fixation with lanthanum nitrate before and 120 minutes after endotoxemia induced by IV administration of 30 ng·kg-1 Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. For transmissio...
Commentary on MacKechnie-Guire et al. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse’s Face. Animals 2015, 15, 537. The use of horses for sport is under scrutiny due to evidence that common practices such as tight nosebands may impair horse welfare. Restrictive nosebands prevent horses from performing normal comfort behaviour such as coughing and yawning. To address these concerns, the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) developed a noseband tightness-checking device, the ISES "taper gauge," along with a validated method that assesses how far the device can be inserted beneath the noseband at the dorsal midline of the nasal planum. However, citing concerns about the reliability of dorsal mid...
Experimental infection of horses with African horse sickness virus results in overt disseminated intravascular coagulation. African horse sickness (AHS), caused by the vector-borne African horse sickness virus (AHSV), is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and infection results in high mortality in naïve equine populations. Clinical signs include submucosal petechiae and prolonged bleeding post venepuncture indicative of hypocoagulation. Pathological activation of haemostasis may result from tissue factor expression as a result of vascular endothelial damage or dysfunction, the proposed pathologic mechanism in AHS, potentially resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Objective: To describe haemostatic ...
Characterization and priming of equine muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells to enhance their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory profiles. A minimally invasive microbiopsy-based method for the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from equine skeletal muscle (M-MSCs) provides a readily accessible source of MSCs for clinical applications. We examined the expression of genes associated with immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory pathways, in addition to those of growth factors and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules I and II, at constitutive levels and after priming with inflammatory cytokines, an immunostimulant, and heat-shocking. While there was notable variation between the M-MSCs from each of the horses i...
Multiple Catheter Recording in Horses to Investigate Atrial Depolarization Pattern During Sinus Rhythm and Induced Premature Atrial Complexes. Detailed characterization of arrhythmias can be performed by multiple catheter mapping; but this has not yet been explored in horses. Objective: Perform ultrasound-guided multiple catheter mapping of the right heart during sinus rhythm and right and left atrial pacing to identify activation patterns characteristic of the origin of ectopy. Obtain His signals and effective refractory periods (ERP). Methods: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: Experimental study. Recording catheters were placed at the terminal crest, intervenous tubercle, caudal vena cava, and coronary sinus. Right atrial pacing...
Identification of Candidate Biomarkers Detected in the Urine of Racehorses After Anabolic Agent Administration: Use of Orthogonal Methods for Structural Elucidation. Biomarker identification by mass spectrometry represents a key step in the workflow of nontargeted metabolomic studies. Given the complexity of the data, this step, which must be carried out by a trained specialist, is time-consuming, and the biomarkers discovered are not always identified. While this stage is not an obstacle to the development of new screening and classification tools, it is nonetheless crucial to a better understanding of the results obtained. For this reason, the aim of this study was to perform structural elucidation of candidate biomarkers, which had previously been displ...
Effects of sand, asphalt, and a three degrees hind toe or heel elevation on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics at walk and trot. Effects of ground surface and hoof angles on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics are poorly understood. However, the equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral areas present frequent lesions and he management of factors that might improve treatment and rehabilitation outcomes, such as ground surface and hoof angles, requires more investigation. Objective: Our objectives were to determine the influence of ground surface (asphalt versus sand) and a 3 degrees hind toe or heel elevation on cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics during walking and trotting. Methods: Six saddle horses ...
MHC compatibility influences the interaction between different types of equine mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and the local immune response. The allogeneic administration of equine mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) has numerous advantages over autologous therapy, but their interactions with the patient's immune system need to be further elucidated. These interactions can be influenced by factors such as the compatibility between donor-receptor for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and by the MHC expression levels, which can change under different conditions like inflammatory exposure and chondrogeneic differentiation. In this study, we evaluated the local immune response induced by chondrogeneically differentiated (MSC...
Adjuvant combination enhances immune response of equine influenza virus vaccine in horses. Despite routine vaccination, equine influenza outbreaks occur due to disparities of virus strains between vaccine and field, and immunity gaps between vaccinations. Objective: To evaluate whether a combination of adjuvants can enhance immune responses to equine influenza virus (EIV) vaccines. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Eight mixed-breed horses were immunised intramuscularly with a recombinant canarypox-based EIV vaccine, either alone or in combination with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). A single vaccine dose was administered, and...
Cortisol and heart rate response of mares during the in-hand breeding procedure with and without restraint. In-hand breeding involving restraint methods is likely the most common practice in the horse breeding industry worldwide. However, welfare issues that arise from such management have not been investigated in detail. Objective: (1) To investigate whether the mares show increased stress responses during in-hand breeding using (a) a lip twitch and (b) hobbles. (2) To evaluate if the use of restraint methods influences the mare's expression of oestrous behaviour. Methods: Intra-individual cross-over design. Methods: Six Franches-Montagnes stallions and 10 warmblood mares were used in these experim...
Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Endometrial Stem Cells Preconditioned With PGE2-Reverse Myofibroblast Phenotype in Mare Endometrial Cells: A Novel Anti-Fibrotic Approach. Endometrial fibrosis in mares compromises fertility through aberrant extracellular matrix deposition and sustained myofibroblast activation. Conventional interventions fail to reverse these pathological alterations, necessitating innovative, mechanism-focused therapies. In this study, we pioneered the use of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) preconditioning of equine endometrial-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ET-eMSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) to target fibrotic processes directly. ET-eMSCs were isolated from mare endometrial biopsies pretreated with PGE2 to enhance their anti-fibrotic se...
Effect of Fluorescence Biomodulation on Dermal Healing in an Equine Experimental In Vivo Wound Model. This study aimed to determine the safety and macroscopic/microscopic effects of fluorescence biomodulation (FBM) on experimentally induced, full-thickness, distal limb wounds in horses.This was an experimental study ( = 6 horses). Two full-thickness wounds were created on both dorsal metacarpi of six adult horses. Each forelimb was randomly allocated to either control (no FBM) or treatment (FBM) and randomly allocated to visual or histological assessment of healing. Wounds were treated within each experimental group every 7 days for four treatments. Fluorescence biomodulation wounds were ...
The impact of transdermal application site on pharmacokinetics and selected pharmacodynamics of buprenorphine in horses. To assess absorption after transdermal application of buprenorphine to different sites and assess behavioral, antinociceptive and adverse effects. It was hypothesized that the dose and site of transdermal buprenorphine administration would influence absorption, plasma drug concentrations, physiological, antinociceptive and behavioral effects in horses. Methods: Two-part study; prospective randomized balanced three-way crossover (study 1) and single-dose (study 2) experimental study. Methods: Six (study 1) and eight (study 2) horses, aged 3-14 years. Methods: In study 1, horses were administere...
First night effect alters occipital brain connectivity in horses. The First Night Effect is a phenomenon whereby sleep duration and quality are compromised in unfamiliar environments or situations. Horses are often transported to new locations, such as sporting events. We wanted to know if the First Night Effect is also detectable in horses in two different populations. To investigate this, we compared five horses from a professional sports horse barn that are regularly used in competitions, with six horses from a breeding barn, that are less frequently transferred to unfamiliar places. Despite the significant differences observed in electroencephalography (...
Probing Wnt pathway and functional signal in equine melanocytic neoplasms through quantitative proteomics and immunohistochemistry. Equine melanocytic neoplasm (EMN) is a skin tumor commonly observed in grey horses. Limited research has yet to investigate proteomic profiles of EMN, particularly in the early stages and their expression patterns. This study, therefore, aimed to identify signature proteins from tissue biopsies to distinguish early EMN, severe EMN, and normal groups. Results: Using proteomic analysis of 19 tissue samples (normal: n = 6, early EMN: n = 7, severe EMN: n = 6) through LC-MS/MS, 12,310 proteins were identified. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and functional interaction analysi...
The effect of cervical epidural injection of morphine and the combination of morphine and detomidine on recovery from anesthesia in adult horses. To evaluate the effect of cervical epidural injection of morphine alone and morphine in combination with detomidine on recovery from anesthesia in horses. Methods: Blinded, randomized, crossover, Latin square design. Methods: A group of six healthy adult horses aged 9 ± 3 years and weighing 471 ± 76 kg (mean ± standard deviation). Methods: Horses were administered each of three treatments during a 1 hour general anesthetic with a 4 day washout period. Treatments were: 1) cervical epidural injection of saline 0.011 mL kg (S); 2) morphine 0.1 mg kg (M); and 3) morphine 0.1 mg kg with detomidi...
Tight nosebands apply high pressures on the horses’ face and alter stride kinematics. Noseband tightness has received increasing attention within equitation science, however, there is little research into how this effects equine behaviour or performance. Objective: 1) determine the peak pressures under noseband in vivo at three different tightness; 2) assess limb and back kinematics at different noseband tightness. Methods: Noseband tightness (n = 8 horses) was set using an International Society for Equine Science (ISES) taper gauge with the three settings being; "two fingers (2F)", "one finger (1F)" and "zero fingers (0F)". Peak pressure under noseband was determined using pre...
Using an Equine Cadaver Head to Investigate Associations Between Sub-Noseband Space, Noseband Tension, and Sub-Noseband Pressure at Three Locations. Pressures applied to horses via nosebands are of growing concern. The current study applied noseband pressure to the head of a dead horse. Pressure sensors were placed on the left nasal bone to record pressures as the noseband was progressively tightened. Tightness increased as predicated by holes in the strap of the noseband (as supplied) through eight steps from two fingers' space, assessed using the standard International Society for Equitation Science Taper Gauge through to zero space. Sensors were also placed at the midline frontal plane and intra-orally at the level of the second premola...
Non-contrast enhanced visualization of the equine foot vasculature in a cadaver model using time-of-flight sequence. The objective of this study was to establish a non-contrast enhanced MR angiography (NC-MRA) sequence for the equine foot (EF) using a post-mortem angiography model. Unassigned: Time-of-flight (TOF) sequences were tested using variable parameter settings and 3 slice orientations during vascular perfusion of frozen-thawed cadaver EF with paraffine oil. Transverse and dorsal orientations were planned perpendicular or parallel to the sublamellar vascular plexus at the dorsal aspect of P3, or approximately perpendicular to the coronary plexus. Visibility of the coronary plexus, sublamellar plexus,...
Orientin Reverses Premature Senescence in Equine Adipose Stromal Cells Affected by Equine Metabolic Syndrome Through Oxidative Stress Modulation. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder associated with insulin dysregulation, oxidative stress, and impaired regenerative capacity of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orientin-a plant-derived flavonoid with known antioxidant properties-on equine ASCs (EqASCs) derived from both clinically healthy and diagnosed EMS-affected mares. EqASCs were treated with orientin to evaluate its biological effects. The analysis included key cellular functions such as proliferative capacity, viability, apoptosis, oxidative stress, ...
Pigments with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities from the coprophilous fungus Fusarium solani isolated from horse dung. Four previously undescribed phenazine-derived pigments (1-4), along with seventeen known compounds, were isolated from a strain cultured on solid rice medium. Structural elucidation of the new compounds was achieved through extensive spectroscopic analysis, while known compounds were identified by comparison with literature data. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were assessed. Compounds 2, 5, and 11 exhibited weak antifungal activity against at 200 μM, while compounds 5, 6, 11, 12, 15, and 20 demonstrated moderate antibacterial effects against at the sam...