Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Protein
Proteins are essential macromolecules that play diverse roles in the physiology and health of horses. They are composed of amino acids and are involved in various biological processes, including tissue growth, repair, and the synthesis of enzymes and hormones. Dietary proteins are a key component of equine nutrition, influencing muscle development, immune function, and overall performance. Horses require a balanced intake of essential amino acids, which must be obtained through their diet, as they cannot be synthesized endogenously. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the types, functions, and dietary requirements of proteins in horses, as well as their impact on equine health and performance.
Genetic variants of EcPV2 E6 and E7 in equine genital and oronasal squamous cell carcinoma. Since its discovery in 2008, equine papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) has been detected in up to 100% of equine genital and up to 40% of equine oronasal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Preliminary sequence data point to the existence of EcPV2 E6 and E7 oncogene variants compared to the British reference sequence from 2008. Objective: To Identify E6 and E7 sequence variations in EcPV2-positive tumours of horses from Continental Europe and Iceland. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: EcPV2 E6 and E7 were amplified from DNA of 60 EcPV2-positive SCCs/SCC precursor lesions. Amplicons were gel-pur...
Comparative genomic analysis of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genes in the family Equidae. The oxytocin (OXT) - oxytocin receptor (OXTR) system regulates diverse biological processes including social behavior, stress responses, and processes related to domestication. While OXT is highly conserved, OXTR shows greater variability, which may contribute to species-specific adaptations. Methods: Comparative genomic analyses of OXT and OXTR coding sequences were performed across equid species using available genome assemblies and newly generated sequences obtained by next-generation sequencing. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood methods. Selection was assess...
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Wnt Gene Family in Donkey (Equus asinus): Phylogenetic Analysis and Expression Profiling. The gene family encodes highly conserved signaling molecules involved in vertebrate development, tissue homeostasis, and cell fate regulation. However, the evolutionary characteristics and potential biological functions of genes in the domestic donkey () remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed the first genome-wide identification and comprehensive characterization of the donkey gene family. A total of 19 genes were identified, consistent with the conserved repertoire reported in other mammalian species. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealed strong evolutionary conservat...
A new single-antigen serological test accurately detects horses infected with Streptococcus equi subsp equi. To develop an accurate serological test for detecting horses infected with Streptococcus equi subsp equi (SEE). Unassigned: The study was designed as a prospective experiment. First, 89 proteins either expressed on the surface or secreted by SEE were cloned, expressed in a cell-free culture system, and printed onto a microarray. Microarrays were probed with serum from 30 horses with strangles, 30 horses with no history of infection or immunization against SEE, and 18 horses infected with Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus (SEZ); serum samples were collected between 2020 and 2021 from Texas...
Genome-Wide Characterization of the TGF-β Gene Family in Donkey (Equus asinus) Reveals Lineage-Specific Gene Duplications and Deleterious Mutations. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily regulates diverse biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, tissue remodeling, and reproductive signaling across metazoans. Here, we performed a genome-wide characterization of the TGF-β gene family in donkey (, ASM1607732v2) using comparative genomics and bioinformatics analyses, with horse (, EquCab3.0) as a reference to investigate evolutionary conservation and functional divergence. Genome assemblies and proteomes were retrieved from NCBI, and TGF-β genes were identified using BLASTp and HMMER searc...
Metabolomic Analysis of the Effects of Cysteamine Zinc on the Composition and Amino Acid Profile of Mare’s Milk. This study aims to investigate the effects of cysteamine zinc supplementation on milk production, composition, amino acid profile, and metabolites in mares. Building on prior experimental findings, a dose of 7 mg/kg body weight of CS-Zn was selected for the experimental group, which was compared with a control group. Milk samples were collected at various time points, and milk yield was recorded each time. Routine analysis of milk components, as well as the determination of milk metabolites and amino acids, were performed. The results indicated that, compared to the control group, the experime...
Meat Quality Characteristics of Mongolian Horses in Inner Mongolia: Regional Superiority and Transcriptomic Insights into Tenderness Differences Between Muscular Locations. Horse meat is a high-quality protein source. A total of 50 two-year-old male horses with similar body weights (300 ± 50 kg) were used: 30 for regional comparison (10 each from Bulgan province region of Mongolia (BPM), Tuv province region of Mongolia (TPM), and Inner Mongolia region of China (IMC)) and an additional 20 from the IMC region for muscle-site analysis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying regional and muscle-site differences in the meat quality of Mongolian horses, with particular emphasis on tenderness, this study analyzed chemical composition, minerals, fatty acids, a...
Comparative Analysis of Meat Quality and Flavor Among Four Categories of Mongolian Horses. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality and flavor of meat from four categories of Mongolian horses (Wushen, Baicha, Barhu, and Ujimqin). Physicochemical indicators, electronic nose, electronic tongue, and lipidomics were used to characterize meat quality and flavor and to screen for differential markers. Results showed that Wushen Horses had the highest pH, serine, glutamic acid, total free amino acids (∑FAA), total non-essential amino acids (∑NEAA), total amino acids (∑TAA), NEAA/TAA, W2S sensor response, umami and richness values, and had the lowest cooking lo...
Characterization of Capillary Zone Electrophoresis in Horses and Donkeys. There are no capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) comparative studies between horses and donkeys. Our objectives were to compare CZE results between both species, establish reference intervals (Ris), study age- and sex-related changes, determine the prevalence of bisalbuminemia, and correlate spectrophotometric albumin results with those calculated based on two different CZE methods. We performed CZE in 50 healthy horses and 49 healthy donkeys. There were significant differences ( < 0.03) in every protein fraction percentage and concentration (except for the β-globulins percentage) between...
Genomics in Equine MEED: Whole-Genome Sequencing and Target Mutation Identification. Multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED) is a rare and severe equine disorder characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammation, epithelial disruption, and multi-organ involvement, with an undefined genetic basis. We performed the high-depth (~40×) whole-genome sequencing of an affected horse and compared it to 40 control genomes. Over 6.3 million variants were identified, with moderate- and high-impact variants enriched in low-frequency categories, including rare and private variants absent from the controls. The affected horse was dominated by missense mutations, with rela...
Equine infectious anemia virus blocks interferon responses through Rev-mediated activation of the stress granule-PKR-eIF2α pathway. Type I interferons (IFNs) play a pivotal role in antiviral defence by inducing interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that target multiple stages of viral replication. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is an ancient lentivirus that establishes long-term asymptomatic infections in equids, suggesting its exceptional immune evasion capabilities. However, the mechanisms by which EIAV modulates IFN responses remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that EIAV infection attenuates ISG expression at the post-transcriptional level. The viral Rev protein plays a central role by interacting with the stress g...
An intronic variant in Ferredoxin Reductase (FDXR) creates a cryptic exon in Quarter Horses with Equine Juvenile Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Equine Juvenile Spinocerebellar Ataxia (EJSCA) is a novel autosomal recessive neurologic disease in Quarter Horses. Affected foals display a progressive proprioceptive ataxia by 1-5 weeks of age, leading to recumbency and necessitating euthanasia. Whole genome sequencing was performed on 7 EJSCA cases and unaffected horses that included 4 obligate carriers, 4 unaffected half or full-siblings, and 28 unrelated, unaffected control Quarter Horses. An 82 kb region of association was identified (EquCab3.0, chr11: 6963986-7045999), containing 9 candidate SNPs across four genes (FADS6, FDXR, GRIN2C a...
A synergistic dual-endopeptidase platform for high-yield, homogeneous F(ab’)2 production from polyclonal equine immunoglobulins for therapeutic applications. Therapeutic F(ab') fragments derived from polyclonal equine antisera remain essential emergency biologics for addressing snake envenomation, tetanus, and viral infections. Traditional production methods rely on pepsin digestion, which is limited by non-specific proteolysis, harsh acidic conditions (pH 2.0-4.0), risk of contamination from animal sources, and significant batch variability, often complicating downstream preparative separations. In this study, we introduce a synergistic dual-endopeptidase platform that integrates hinge-specific biocatalysis with affinity chromatography to facilit...
Integrated workflow for production and in vitro characterization of equine anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune serum with epitope mapping. This study establishes an integrated workflow linking antibody production, neutralization assessment, and epitope mapping, supporting the identification of antigenic regions recognized by polyclonal antibodies generated in vivo. The viral suspension was inactivated with β-propiolactone under biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) conditions, with no cytopathic effect or plaque formation observed, confirming loss of viral replicative capacity. The produced immunogen retained antigenic activity, as demonstrated by reactivity with IgG antibodies from vaccinated and previously infected individuals. Protein an...
Oral docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters alveolar macrophage metabolism and protein and lipid profiles in the lower airway of healthy horses. To determine the impact of a commercially available docosahexaeonic acid (DHA) supplement (DHA, methylslfonylmethane, and mushroom blend) on equine alveolar macrophage metabolism and lipid and protein profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant. Unassigned: This was a prospective, sequential, placebo-controlled study using 10 healthy adult horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected at baseline, following 45 days of oral placebo administration, and following 45 days of oral commercially available DHA supplement, with a 14-day washout. Whole blood was collected following placebo...
The Effects of L-Citrulline on the Apparent Digestion and Metabolism of Nutrients, Blood Hormone Levels, Amino Acid Metabolism and the Diversity of Faecal Microbiota in Mares in the Later Stage of Pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary L-citrulline supplementation on the health of mares during late gestation. Thirty-two healthy mares in late pregnancy were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group (CON, 0 g/d) and three treatment groups receiving 15, 30, and 45 g/d/head of L-citrulline, respectively. The trial spanned 72 days, including a 12-day adaptation phase and a 60-day formal feeding period. A fixed daily feeding amount of 11.2 kg/head was provided, ensuring complete consumption and consistent dry matter intake across all groups. Results demonstrated that su...
Hyperactivation and Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Cryopreserved Stallion Spermatozoa in Relation to Conventional In Vitro Fertilization Blastocyst Production. Challenges in establishing clinical conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) in horses include variation in sperm and oocyte quality, which can be affected by mare age. Extended preincubation of stallion spermatozoa has resulted in successful IVF. However, there is limited research on the impact of preincubation on sperm characteristics and IVF success. Objective: Responses of frozen-thawed stallion spermatozoa over time under IVF preincubation conditions were evaluated, and samples based on specific responses were tested for their ability to fertilize oocytes, including those from older mare...
Successful nutritional management of a warmblood horse with multiple pathologies that respond to nutrition. This report describes the nutritional management of an 18-year-old, 553 kg gelding warmblood used for dressage lessons that presented with severe weight loss, marked muscle atrophy, poor dentition, sabulous urolithiasis, gastric ulcers, and later small colon impaction. On admission, the diet consisted of ad libitum wheat straw and mixed cereals (73:27 forage:concentrate), providing 2% of body weight as dry matter without vitamin-mineral supplementation. Marked deficiencies were identified in digestible energy (38%), crude protein (20%), lysine, threonine, vitamins, and minerals, while sugar an...
Evaluating Protein Enrichment Methods to Improve Biomarker Discovery in Equine Cerebrospinal Fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a valuable source of biomarkers for neurological diseases, but detection of low-abundance proteins is often masked by highly abundant proteins. Enrichment strategies can enhance proteomic coverage and improve biomarker discovery, yet comparative evaluations of such methods in equine CSF are limited. Objective: This study compared the ProteoMiner Small-Capacity Enrichment Kit and the PreOmics Enrich-iST Kit for their ability to deplete high-abundance proteins and enhance detection of low-abundance proteins relevant to neuropathology. Methods: Equine CSF samples were...
Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism of Bider Marking Formation in Dun Mongolian Horses Through Transcriptome Sequencing. (1) Background: The "Bider" marking refers to the symmetrical black stripes distributed on the shoulder blades of Dun Mongolian horses, representing an ancestral trait of significant genetic value. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its formation remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the molecular basis of these markings by comparing transcriptomic differences in skin tissues from variously pigmented areas of Mongolian horses' "Bider" patterns. (2) Methods: Using three Dun Mongolian horses as subjects, skin tissue samples were collected from their shoulders (dark-marked and li...
DMRT3 Gene Variations in Horse Breeds Selected for Gaited Movement – Established Research and Novel Findings. The DMRT3 gene, often referred to as the "gait keeper," plays a key role in controlling alternative gaits in horses, such as tölt and pace. This study aimed to determine the frequency of known and to screen for potential novel polymorphisms within the second exon of the DMRT3 gene. Methods: A total of 244 blood or hair samples were collected from representative individuals of the six horse breeds: gaited (Icelandic Horse, French Trotter), non-gaited (Arabian Horse, Malopolski Horse), and pony breeds (Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony). Methods: The second exon of the DMRT3 gene analyzed using Sanger ...
Differential Expression of MITF, WNT3A, SLC7A11, and EDN3 in the Shoulder ‘Bider Marking’ of Dun Mongolian Horses. (1) Background: The "Bider marking" on the shoulder of the Dun Mongolian horse represents a unique pigmentation pattern, the molecular formation mechanism of which remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the differential expression and protein localization of pigment-related genes-specifically the core transcription factor , as well as , , and -in the skin. The analysis focuses on three distinct regions: the dark-colored area of the 'Bider marking' shoulder (BIDC), the light-colored area of the 'Bider marking' shoulder (BILC), and the non-Bider-marked shoulder area (NBIS). The...
Effects of Dietary Non-Fibrous Carbohydrate to Neutral Detergent Fiber Ratio on Apparent Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota, and Plasma Metabolomics in Yili Horses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary NFC/NDF ratio on nutrient apparent digestibility, fecal fermentation parameters, microbial diversity, and plasma metabolomics in Yili horses. Twenty-four healthy Yili horses with similar body weights (406 ± 22.73 kg) were divided into four groups, each with six replicates: the Control Group (CG), Low-NFC Group (LG), Medium-NFC Group (MG), and High-NFC Group (HG). The experiment lasted 52 d, comprising a 7-day adaptation period and a 45-day experimental period. Total fecal collection was conducted from days 41 to 45 to calculate nutrient a...
Horse immune response of recombinant Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine: Assessing the immunomodulatory impact of probiotic supplementation. Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), caused by Lawsonia intracellularis induces intestinal epithelial hyperplasia, resulting in malabsorption, weight loss, colic, and diarrhea. Despite its clinical and economic importance, no equine-specific vaccine is commercially available. Recombinant subunit vaccines are a safe and scalable alternative; however, their immunogenicity often requires improvement. Probiotic supplementation with Bacillus toyonensis may act as an immunomodulatory strategy to potentiate vaccine efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a recombinant protein ...
Interleukin-4 changes the transcriptome, ECM-associated components and function of mare endometrial fibroblast: Insights from healthy and fibrotic cells. Fibrosis remains incompletely understood, particularly in terms of how immune mediators shape stromal programs. We used a spontaneous large‑animal model-endometrosis (equine endometrial fibrosis) to define how interleukin‑4 (IL‑4) reprograms fibroblasts from healthy and fibrotic endometrium. Primary fibroblasts were exposed to IL‑4 (10 ng/mL) for 48 or 96 h. At 48 h, bulk transcriptomes revealed 1307 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 648 up, 659 down) and 1271 DEGs (645 up, 626 down) in fibroblasts derived from endometria without or with endometrosis, respectively. Enrichment an...
Analysis of the antitrypsin activity and immunoglobulin G concentration in equine colostrum and milk. Immunoglobulins ingested via colostrum must remain intact to be absorbed by the neonate. Equine colostrum contains antitrypsin activity, which likely protects these proteins from proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract. Objective: To quantify antitrypsin activity in equine colostrum and milk, describe its temporal changes during the first five days after parturition, compare actitvity between left and right mammary glands, evaluate differences between nulliparous and pluriparous mares, and examine associations with immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations and mare age. Methods: This retrospecti...
Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening identifies host factors critical for antiviral defense against equine herpesvirus type 1. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a major veterinary pathogen causing significant economic losses in the livestock industry. Despite its impact, effective vaccines and targeted antiviral strategies remain limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of host factors regulating viral replication and pathogenesis. Unassigned: To systematically identify host genes essential for EHV-1 infection, we established a BHK-21 cell line stably expressing Cas9 and performed a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen using a pooled lentiviral single-guide RNA library. Significantly enriched candidat...
Differential Expression and Analysis of TBX3 Gene in Skin Tissues of Dun Mongolian Horses with and Without Bider Markings. (1) Background: The dun coat color, a wild-type phenotype in horses characterized by pigment dilution and primitive markings, is regulated by . This study explored the expression and localization of in the Bider marking (a primitive mark unique to the shoulder of horses); (2) Methods: We compared skin tissues from Bider-marked and non-Bider dun Mongolian horses. Samples were collected from the Bider area (dark-colored/light-colored shoulder), dorsal midline, and croup. Histological staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were used to analyze pigment distribution and expression at mRNA and pr...
Cell Surface Vimentin Is an Attachment Factor That Facilitates Equine Arteritis Virus Infection In Vitro. Our laboratory identified the susceptible allelic variant of equine CXCL16 protein (EqCXCL16S) as an entry receptor for equine arteritis virus (EAV). However, EAV has a broad host cell tropism and infects cells that lack EqCXCL16S. Thus, we hypothesized that EAV interacts with other host cell protein(s) that facilitate EAV infection. A virus overlay protein-binding assay in combination with a Far-Western blot from EAV-susceptible equine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EECs) and equine dermal fibroblasts (E. Derm) identified a 57 kDa protein, present in the membrane fraction of the protein ...
Production and characterization of rNGFSP: a recombinant fusion immunogen eliciting dual anti-NGF and anti-Substance P therapeutic antibodies for Degenerative Joint Disease. Anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies have recently been approved for treating degenerative joint disease, including osteoarthritis pain, in dogs and cats. However, their widespread use is limited by high cost and the requirement for repeated injections. Nerve Growth Factor and Substance P play central roles in the initiation and maintenance of inflammation and chronic pain in OA. There is a pressing need for new, safe, cost-effective therapies that target the underlying mechanisms of OA chronic pain. Here, we designed and produced a novel recombinant fusion protein, termed rNGFSP, which functions as...
