Analyze Diet

Topic:Veterinary Care

Veterinary care in horses encompasses the medical and preventive measures taken to maintain and improve the health and well-being of equine patients. It includes a wide range of practices such as routine health examinations, vaccinations, dental care, parasite control, and management of injuries and diseases. Veterinary care also involves diagnostic procedures, surgical interventions, and therapeutic treatments tailored to the specific needs of horses. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equine veterinary care, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and health management strategies to support the well-being and performance of horses.
Genetic analysis of maternal and paternal lineages in Kabardian horses by uniparental molecular markers.
Open veterinary journal    February 2, 2018   Volume 8, Issue 1 40-46 doi: 10.4314/ovj.v8i1.7
Khaudov AD, Duduev AS, Kokov ZA, Amshokov KK, Zhekamukhov MK, Zaitsev AM, Reissmann M.Studies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as well as the non-recombining part of the Y chromosome help to understand the origin and distribution of maternal and paternal lineages. The Kabardian horse from Northern Caucasia which is well-known for strength, stamina and endurance in distance riding has a large gap in its breeding documentation especially in the recent past. A 309 bp fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop (156 Kabardian horses) and six mutations in Y chromosome (49 Kabardian stallions), respectively, were analyzed to get a better insight into breeding history, phylogenetic relationship ...
Foal Diarrhea: Established and Postulated Causes, Prevention, Diagnostics, and Treatments.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice    February 1, 2018   Volume 34, Issue 1 55-68 doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2017.11.003
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 ...
Improvement of the Chondrocyte-Specific Phenotype upon Equine Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation: Influence of Culture Time, Transforming Growth Factors and Type I Collagen siRNAs on the Differentiation Index.
International journal of molecular sciences    February 1, 2018   Volume 19, Issue 2 435 doi: 10.3390/ijms19020435
Branly T, Contentin R, Desancé M, Jacquel T, Bertoni L, Jacquet S, Mallein-Gerin F, Denoix JM, Audigié F, Demoor M, Galéra P.Articular cartilage is a tissue characterized by its poor intrinsic capacity for self-repair. This tissue is frequently altered upon trauma or in osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease that is currently incurable. Similar musculoskeletal disorders also affect horses and OA incurs considerable economic loss for the equine sector. In the view to develop new therapies for humans and horses, significant progress in tissue engineering has led to the emergence of new generations of cartilage therapy. Matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation is an advanced 3D cell-based therapy that...
Detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by tissue Doppler imaging in horses with aortic regurgitation.
Equine veterinary journal    February 1, 2018   Volume 50, Issue 5 587-593 doi: 10.1111/evj.12805
Ven S, Decloedt A, De Clercq D, Vera L, Rademakers F, van Loon G.Aortic regurgitation (AR) can have an important clinical impact and in some cases leads to left ventricular (LV) failure. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is an echocardiographic technique that has been used in horses to detect LV dysfunction. Objective: To examine whether TDI detects changes in radial myocardial wall motion in horses with AR compared with control horses. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Echocardiography was performed in 30 healthy Warmblood horses and 34 Warmblood horses with AR, subdivided in groups with mild, moderate or severe AR. TDI measurements were performed on six se...
Quantification of Equine Sacral and Iliac Motion During Application of Manual Forces and Comparison Between Motion Capture With Skin-Mounted and Bone-Fixated Sensors.
Journal of equine veterinary science    January 31, 2018   Volume 64 5-11 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.01.007
Goff LM, McGowan CM, Condie P, Jasiewicz J, van Weeren R.Diagnosis of sacroiliac dysfunction in horses includes manual motion palpation of the equine ilium and sacrum. Motion of the ilium and sacrum during manual force application to the equine pelvis has been measured previously in vitro. The aim of this study was to measure the amount and direction of motion in vivo, including comparison of bone-fixated and skin-mounted inertial sensors. Sensors were skin-mounted over tuber sacrale (TS) and third sacral spinous process of six Thoroughbred horses and later attached via Steinmann pins inserted into the same bony landmarks. Orientations of each TS ...
Serum bone biomarkers osteocalcin and pyridinoline in mares during pregnancy and lactation, and in foals during early post-natal life.
Research in veterinary science    January 31, 2018   Volume 118 34-40 doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.01.007
Anderson ST, Kidd LJ, Barton AJ, Greer RM.Breeding mares typically foal yearly. Little is known about the dynamics of maternal bone stores during gestation and lactation, the timing of any maternal bone mobilisation, re-accretion post-foaling, or the dynamics of bone metabolism in foals. We measured serum osteocalcin (OC) and serum pyridinoline (PYD) concentrations in 18 mares monthly from 6months gestation to foaling, and in both mares and foals for 4months after birth. From 6 to 11months of gestation, there was no change in mean monthly OC. Serum PYD increased between 7months gestation and foaling. After foaling, mean serum OC was l...
Advanced nutritional and stem cells approaches to prevent equine metabolic syndrome.
Research in veterinary science    January 31, 2018   Volume 118 115-125 doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.01.015
Marycz K, Michalak I, Kornicka K.Horses metabolic disorders have become an important problem of modern veterinary medicine. Pathological obesity, insulin resistance and predisposition toward laminitis are associated with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Based on pathogenesis of EMS, dietary and cell therapy management may significantly reduce development of this disorder. Special attention has been paid to the diet supplementation with highly bioavailable minerals and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which increase insulin sensitivity. In nutrition, there is a great interests in natural algae enriched via biosorption process with...
Equine dietary supplements: an insight into their use and perceptions in the Irish equine industry.
Irish veterinary journal    January 30, 2018   Volume 71 4 doi: 10.1186/s13620-018-0115-3
Murray JMD, Hanna E, Hastie P.Nutritional supplements are frequently used by horse owners/caregivers to supplement their horse(s) diets. Some work has been done to identify the types of supplements fed and the reasons for doing so; however, this has been predominantly disciple-specific and with little focus on participants' perceptions of supplement testing and regulation. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the use and perceptions of equine dietary supplements in the Irish equestrian industry. Methods: An online survey was designed to ascertain the following information: demographics, types of supplements fe...
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii among horses entering a veterinary teaching hospital: The contemporary “Trojan Horse”.
PloS one    January 30, 2018   Volume 13, Issue 1 e0191873 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191873
Walther B, Klein KS, Barton AK, Semmler T, Huber C, Wolf SA, Tedin K, Merle R, Mitrach F, Guenther S, Lübke-Becker A, Gehlen H.Pathogens frequently associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from horses admitted to horse clinics, pose a risk for animal patients and personnel in horse clinics. To estimate current rates of colonization, a total of 341 equine patients were screened for carriage of zoonotic indicator pathogens at hospital admission. Horses showing clinical signs associated with colic (n = 233) or open wounds (n = 108) were selected for microbiological examination of nost...
An update on equine post-operative ileus: Definitions, pathophysiology and management.
Equine veterinary journal    January 29, 2018   Volume 50, Issue 3 292-303 doi: 10.1111/evj.12801
Lisowski ZM, Pirie RS, Blikslager AT, Lefebvre D, Hume DA, Hudson NPH.Post-operative ileus (POI) is a serious condition which any horse undergoing abdominal surgery is at risk of developing, leading to increased hospitalisation time and resulting costs. Advances in the understanding of the development of equine POI are mainly based on human and rodent literature, where manipulation-induced inflammation has been identified as a trigger, with activation of resident muscularis externa macrophages playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology. Despite many pharmacological trials in all species, there is no single completely successful treatment for POI, highlighting...
Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age.
PloS one    January 26, 2018   Volume 13, Issue 1 e0190309 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190309
Robles M, Nouveau E, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lagofun B, Aubrière MC, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Viguié C, Wimel L....Obesity is a growing concern in horses. The effects of maternal obesity on maternal metabolism and low-grade inflammation during pregnancy, as well as offspring growth, metabolism, low-grade inflammation, testicular maturation and osteochondrotic lesions until 18 months of age were investigated. Twenty-four mares were used and separated into two groups at insemination according to body condition score (BCS): Normal (N, n = 10, BCS ≤4) and Obese (O, n = 14, BCS ≥4.25). BCS and plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, urea, non-esterified fatty acid, serum amyloid A (SAA), leptin and adiponect...
Frequency distribution of osteochondral fragmentation of the dorsoproximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx in racing Thoroughbreds in the UK.
Equine veterinary journal    January 25, 2018   Volume 50, Issue 5 624-628 doi: 10.1111/evj.12795
Walsh R, Smith MRW, Wright IM.Osteochondral fragmentation of the dorsoproximal margin of the proximal phalanx is commonly recognised in racing Thoroughbreds. Frequency distribution has been documented in racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the USA and in European Warmbloods but no data have been published from the UK. Concurrent intra-articular soft tissue lesions and radiographic accuracy of fragment distribution in racing Thoroughbreds have not previously been reported. Objective: To document frequency distribution of dorsoproximal fragmentation of the proximal phalanx in a UK population of racing Thoroughbreds an...
Biomarkers for equine joint injury and osteoarthritis.
Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society    January 24, 2018   Volume 36, Issue 3 823-831 doi: 10.1002/jor.23738
McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE, Frisbie DD, Little CB, Clegg PD, Peffers MJ, Karsdal MA, Ekman S, Laverty S, Slayden RA, Sandell LJ, Lohmander LS, Kraus VB.We report the results of a symposium aimed at identifying validated biomarkers that can be used to complement clinical observations for diagnosis and prognosis of joint injury leading to equine osteoarthritis (OA). Biomarkers might also predict pre-fracture change that could lead to catastrophic bone failure in equine athletes. The workshop was attended by leading scientists in the fields of equine and human musculoskeletal biomarkers to enable cross-disciplinary exchange and improve knowledge in both. Detailed proceedings with strategic planning was written, added to, edited and referenced to...
Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic features of rice bodies in an Arabian horse with atlantal bursitis. Hohu KK, Lim CK, Adams SB, Heng HG, Ramos-Vara JA.A 19-year-old castrated Arabian male horse presented for evaluation of a firm mass at the dorsal cervical region. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed multiple well defined fusiform structures within the atlantal bursa. Multiple glossy smooth, white to yellowish, flattened fusiform structures were removed surgically. These structures were composed of dense fibrin with some leukocytes and red blood cells. The imaging and histopathological features of these structures were similar to chronic 'rice bodies' reported in humans with bursitis or tenosynovitis. This is the first veterinary...
Repeatability of gait analysis measurements in Thoroughbreds in training.
Equine veterinary journal    January 22, 2018   Volume 50, Issue 4 513-518 doi: 10.1111/evj.12802
Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Forbes BS, Pfau T.With the view of implementing gait symmetry measurements in Thoroughbreds in training for early detection of injuries, repeatability of inertial measurement unit (IMU) gait parameters needs to be established. Objective: To assess the variation of head and pelvis movement symmetry in Thoroughbreds in training. Methods: Repeated observations in horses in race training. Methods: Daily and weekly repeat gait assessments were conducted in 14 Thoroughbreds equipped with IMUs on poll, sacrum and right (RTC) and left (LTC) tuber coxae. Gait was assessed in trot, in-hand, on a level concrete surface. D...
New Parvovirus Associated with Serum Hepatitis in Horses after Inoculation of Common Biological Product.
Emerging infectious diseases    January 20, 2018   Volume 24, Issue 2 303-310 doi: 10.3201/eid2402.171031
Divers TJ, Tennant BC, Kumar A, McDonough S, Cullen J, Bhuva N, Jain K, Chauhan LS, Scheel TKH, Lipkin WI, Laverack M, Trivedi S, Srinivasa S....Equine serum hepatitis (i.e., Theiler's disease) is a serious and often life-threatening disease of unknown etiology that affects horses. A horse in Nebraska, USA, with serum hepatitis died 65 days after treatment with equine-origin tetanus antitoxin. We identified an unknown parvovirus in serum and liver of the dead horse and in the administered antitoxin. The equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) shares <50% protein identity with its phylogenetic relatives of the genus Copiparvovirus. Next, we experimentally infected 2 horses using a tetanus antitoxin contaminated with EqPV-H. Viremia develop...
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in horses: a retrospective study exploring the value of different diagnostic approaches.
BMC veterinary research    January 19, 2018   Volume 14, Issue 1 21 doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1343-1
Boshuizen B, Ploeg M, Dewulf J, Klooster S, Bruijn M, Picavet MT, Palmers K, Plancke L, Cock H, Theelen M, Delesalle C.Diagnosing IBD in horses is challenging and requires a multimodal approach, since no conclusive diagnostic test is available. The objectives of this study were to provide an overview of population characteristics, results of applied diagnostic tests, treatment modalities and outcome in a large group of horses thought to have IBD and that were presented to four large equine referral hospitals, and to provide an exploratory investigation of possible associations between results of applied diagnostic tests, applied treatment modalities and outcome. A retrospective case series was performed across...
Retrospective analysis of insulin responses to standard dosed oral glucose tests (OGTs) via naso-gastric tubing towards definition of an objective cut-off value.
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica    January 19, 2018   Volume 60, Issue 1 4 doi: 10.1186/s13028-018-0358-8
Warnken T, Delarocque J, Schumacher S, Huber K, Feige K.Insulin dysregulation (ID) with basal or postprandial hyperinsulinemia is one of the key findings in horses and ponies suffering from the equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Assessment of ID can easily be performed in clinical settings by the use of oral glucose challenge tests. Oral glucose test (OGT) performed with 1 g/kg bodyweight (BW) glucose administered via naso-gastric tube allows the exact administration of a defined glucose dosage in a short time. However, reliable cut-off values have not been available so far. Therefore, the aim of the study was to describe variations in insulin respo...
Prospective pre- and post-race evaluation of biochemical, electrophysiologic, and echocardiographic indices in 30 racing thoroughbred horses that received furosemide.
BMC veterinary research    January 18, 2018   Volume 14, Issue 1 18 doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1336-0
Gunther-Harrington CT, Arthur R, Estell K, Martinez Lopez B, Sinnott A, Ontiveros E, Varga A, Stern JA.Exercise induced cardiac fatigue (EICF) and cardiac dysrhythmias are well described conditions identified in high-level human athletes that increase in frequency with intensity and duration of exercise. Identification of these conditions requires an understanding of normal pre- and post-race cardiac assessment values. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize selected indices of cardiac function, electrophysiologic parameters, and biochemical markers of heart dysfunction prior to and immediately after high level racing in Thoroughbred horses receiving furosemide; and (2) create pre...
Thermodynamic effects of commercially available ice boots.
Open veterinary journal    January 18, 2018   Volume 8, Issue 1 5-8 doi: 10.4314/ovj.v8i1.2
Quintanar MN, Millar TP, Burd MA.The limb of the equine athlete is subjected to all types of various stressors during exercise. To ensure the health of the horse and to prevent the possibility of lameness, it has been a common practice to apply cold therapy to the distal limb of the horse pre- and post-exercise. Commercially available boots are widely available for the application of cold therapy. To test the effectiveness of the boot, 6 healthy performance level sport type horses were exercised at a walk, trot, and canter in a round-pen and then subjected to the application of the ice boot for 20 minutes on a treatment leg, ...
Emergence of blaCTX-M-55 associated with fosA, rmtB and mcr gene variants in Escherichia coli from various animal species in France.
The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy    January 18, 2018   Volume 73, Issue 4 867-872 doi: 10.1093/jac/dkx489
Lupo A, Saras E, Madec JY, Haenni M.In Asian countries, blaCTX-M-55 is the second most common ESBL-encoding gene. blaCTX-M-55 frequently co-localizes with fosA and rmtB genes on epidemic plasmids, which remain sporadic outside Asia. During 2010-13, we investigated CTX-M-55-producing Escherichia coli isolates and their co-resistance to fosfomycin, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and colistin as part of a global survey of ESBLs in animals in France. blaCTX-M-55, fosA, rmtB and plasmidic quinolone and colistin resistance genes were characterized by PCR, sequencing and hybridization experiments. Plasmids were classified according ...
Agreement between invasive blood pressures measured in three peripheral arteries in anaesthetized horses under clinical conditions.
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia    January 17, 2018   Volume 45, Issue 3 338-344 doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2017.11.004
Wilson KAT, Raisis AL, Drynan EA, Lester GD, Hosgood GL.To determine agreement between invasive blood pressures measured in three peripheral arteries in anaesthetized horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: Prospective balanced incomplete block design. Methods: A total of 18 client-owned horses. Methods: Invasive blood pressure (IBP) was measured simultaneously in one of the following three combinations: 1) transverse facial and facial artery; 2) transverse facial and metatarsal artery; and 3) facial and metatarsal artery. The agreement in blood pressure measured for each combination was performed in six horses. At each sample time, systolic (...
Combination deworming for the control of double-resistant cyathostomin parasites – short and long term consequences.
Veterinary parasitology    January 16, 2018   Volume 251 112-118 doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.010
Scare JA, Lyons ET, Wielgus KM, Nielsen MK.Equine cyathostomin are pervasive gastrointestinal parasites with wide-spread resistance to the benzimidazole and tetrahydropyrimidine drug classes worldwide. Combination deworming has been proposed as a more sustainable parasite control strategy. Simulation studies have found combination deworming to be effective in controlling drug resistant ovine trichostrongylid parasites. One equine study demonstrated an additive effect of a combination of oxibendazole and pyrantel pamoate against cyathostomins. However, this is the only equine study evaluating combination therapy, and the effects of repe...
Estimating the proportion of clinically diagnosed infectious and non-infectious animal diseases in Ganta Afeshum woreda, Eastern Tigray zone, Ethiopia.
BMC research notes    January 15, 2018   Volume 11, Issue 1 29 doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3158-3
Tedla M, Gebreselassie M.This study was performed with the objective of identifying the proportion of emerging and endemic livestock diseases using cross sectional survey. Results: A total of 285 clinically diseased animals were presented to a veterinary clinic and diagnosed tentatively based on history, clinical sign, and simple laboratory diagnostics and from the study, actinomycosis (15.83%), mastitis (15%), tick infestation (10%), respiratory diseases (9.16%) and gastro intestinal parasitism (9.16%) were confirmed with higher proportion in large animals. Pasteurollosis (38, 31%), contagious ecthyma (12, 10%), tick...
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical use of trazodone and its active metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine in the horse.
Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics    January 14, 2018   Volume 41, Issue 3 393-401 doi: 10.1111/jvp.12477
Davis JL, Schirmer J, Medlin E.Trazodone is a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor used extensively as an anxiolytic in human and small animal veterinary medicine. The aims of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetics of oral trazodone in experimental horses and to evaluate the effect of oral trazodone in clinical horses. Six experimental horses were administered trazodone at 7.5 or 10 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of trazodone and its metabolite (m-CPP) were determined via UPLC-MS/MS. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis, sedation and ataxia scores were determined. Trazodone was rapidly absorbe...
High mortality in foals associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Abortusequi infection in Italy. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi is frequently reported as a cause of abortion in mares and neonatal septicemia and polyarthritis in Asian and African countries, but only sporadically in Europe and the United States. We report an outbreak of S. Abortusequi in foals in Italy, characterized by high mortality. In a herd of Murgese horses, 10 of 34 newborns died at birth and a further 7 died, after developing severe clinical signs, during the first 10 d of life. Tissue specimens from different organs of 2 dead foals, synovial fluids from 4 sick foals, and vaginal and rectal ...
Molecular Characteristics of the Equine Periodontal Ligament.
Frontiers in veterinary science    January 11, 2018   Volume 4 235 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00235
Pöschke A, Krähling B, Failing K, Staszyk C.The equine periodontal ligament (PDL) is a fibrous connective tissue that covers the intra-alveolar parts of the tooth and anchors it to the alveolar bone-it, therefore, provides a similar function to a tendinous structure. While several studies have considered the formation and structure of tendons, there is insufficient information particularly on the molecular composition of the PDL. Especially for the equine PDL, there is limited knowledge concerning the expression of genes commonly regarded as typical for tendon tissue. In this study, the gene expression of, e.g., (, and fibrocartilage m...
A Pilot Qualitative Investigation of Stakeholders’ Experiences and Opinions of Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in England.
Veterinary sciences    January 9, 2018   Volume 5, Issue 1 3 doi: 10.3390/vetsci5010003
Lomas HR, Robinson PA.Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH), commonly known as sweet itch or summer eczema, is a frustrating recurrent skin disease in the equine industry involving an immune reaction to the bites of spp. midges. To investigate the impact of IBH in the field, an exploratory pilot study was conducted with equine stakeholders in one region of central England. Nine semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with horse owners and an equine veterinarian. The aim was to gain an understanding of experiences with IBH, and to gauge opinions on the value of the various management strategies ...
First confirmed case of nasal pythiosis in a horse in Thailand.
JMM case reports    January 9, 2018   Volume 5, Issue 1 e005136 doi: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005136
Tonpitak W, Pathomsakulwong W, Sornklien C, Krajaejun T, Wutthiwithayaphong S.Pythiosis is caused by , a fungus-like organism in the class . It can infect humans and a variety of animal species in tropical, subtropical and some temperate regions. Cases of animal pythiosis have occurred predominantly in horses in the skin and subcutaneous tissue at the limbs and in the ventral portion of thoracoabdominal wall - lesions in the nasal region are rarely reported. Moreover, although many human pythiosis cases have been reported in Thailand, no cases of animal pythiosis in Thailand have been reported. Methods: We report a case of pythiosis in a horse infected at the nasal cavi...
Profiles of pro-opiomelanocortin and encoded peptides, and their processing enzymes in equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
PloS one    January 8, 2018   Volume 13, Issue 1 e0190796 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190796
Carmalt JL, Mortazavi S, McOnie RC, Allen AL, Unniappan S.Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is characterized by hyperplasia of the pars intermedia (PI) melanotrophs of the pituitary gland (PG), and increased production of proopiomelanocortin (POMC). POMC is cleaved by prohormone convertase 1 (PC1) to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and further processing of ACTH by PC2 to produce alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and corticotropin-like intermediate peptide (CLIP). High plasma ACTH concentrations in horses with PPID might be related to reduced conversion of ACTH to α-MSH by PCs. The hypothesis of this study w...