Veterinary research in horses encompasses the study of diseases, health management, and medical treatments specific to equine species. This field investigates various aspects of horse health, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Researchers focus on understanding the pathophysiology of equine ailments, developing diagnostic tools, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. The study of horse health also involves examining preventive measures such as vaccination protocols and nutritional management to promote overall well-being. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse areas of veterinary science related to horses, providing insights into disease mechanisms, treatment strategies, and advancements in equine healthcare.
Figueiredo MD, Salter CE, Andrietti AL, Vandenplas ML, Hurley DJ, Moore JN.Quantification of gene expression using real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a reliable method to monitor cellular responses to pro-inflammatory stimuli. The main objective of this study was to validate a set of equine primer pairs that can be routinely used to monitor expression of genes that are central to inflammatory and immune responses. This paper describes the steps used to optimize and validate 29 equine primer pairs for RT-qPCR assays using SYBR Green detection. To validate these assays, monocytes were isolated from three horses and stimulated with Escherichia...
Muhonen S, Julliand V, Lindberg JE, Bertilsson J, Jansson A.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of an abrupt change from grass hay (81% DM) to grass silage (36% DM) or grass haylage (55% DM), fed at similar DM intakes, and to compare the effects of silage and haylage on the composition and activities of the colon microflora. The forages were from the same swath harvested on the same day. Four adult colon-fistulated geldings were randomly assigned to diets in a crossover design. The study started with a preperiod when all 4 horses received the hay diet, followed by an abrupt feed change to the haylage diet for 2 horses and the sila...
Verwilghen DR, Vanderheyden L, Franck T, Busoni V, Enzerink E, Gangl M, Lejeune JP, van Galen G, Grulke S, Serteyn D.Developmental osteochondral lesions are often encountered in the equine population and are a major cause of lameness. Different growth factors that act systemically as well as locally regulate the growth of cartilage. Among them is Insulin-like Growth Factor I that has been demonstrated to promote chondrocyte growth and differentiation and that has been shown to influence cartilage repair. The aims of this study were to investigate differences in circulating plasma levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in post-pubescent horses affected with developmental osteochondral lesions compared to unaf...
Gargala G, Le Goff L, Ballet JJ, Favennec L, Stachulski AV, Rossignol JF.Sarcocystis neurona is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). The aim of this work was to document inhibitory activities of nitazoxanide (NTZ, [2-acetolyloxy-N-(5-nitro 2-thiazolyl) benzamide]) and new thiazolides/thiadiazolides on S. neurona in vitro development, and investigate their structure-activity relationships. S. neurona was grown in bovine turbinate cell cultures. At concentrations varying from 1.0 to 5.0mg/L, nitazoxanide and 21 of 32 second generation thiazolide/thiadiazolide agents exerted a > or =95% maximum inhibition on S. neuro...
Strand E, Fjordbakk CT, Holcombe SJ, Risberg A, Chalmers HJ.Dynamic laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion is a newly diagnosed upper respiratory tract obstructive disorder that causes poor racing performance. Objective: To determine if Norwegian Coldblooded Trotters (NCTs) affected with DLC associated with poll flexion differ from normal, elite NCTs based on simple airway mechanics measurements. Methods: Five normal elite NCTs and 6 NCTs diagnosed previously with DLC underwent treadmill videoendoscopy while tracheal pressures were measured continuously. Alternating head positions were used such that horses were exercised with free head ...
McKenzie HC, Geor RJ.Nutritional support of the foal can be challenging because of the constant changes in nutritional requirements and dietary composition during the transition from neonate to weanling. Additional complexity arises because of dilemmas regarding the means and route of delivery of nutrition to the foal, and the possibility that metabolic dysfunction may impair the ability of the foal to use nutrients appropriately. This article provides practical information on enteral and parenteral nutritional support of sick neonatal foals. The potential benefits of a conservative, hypocaloric feeding strategy, ...
Carr EA, Holcombe SJ.Nutritional supplementation is becoming the standard of practice in equine medicine, although there are minimal data on nutritional support in critically ill horses and its association or effect on morbidity and mortality or length of hospital stay. Horses can be fed orally and when that is not possible, intravenously or parenterally. Enteral feeding is less expensive, more physiologic, improves immunity, and is easier and safer. This article reviews available information on the development of a nutritional plan for critically ill horses, and describes methods for and complications of enteral ...
Stanley RL, Maile C, Piercy RJ.Muscle biopsy is increasingly used in equine veterinary practice for investigating exertional, inflammatory or immune mediated myopathies and unexplained muscle atrophy. Although formalin-fixed samples are often used, for complete evaluation, fresh-frozen tissue is required. Freezing muscle in veterinary practice is impractical: samples sent to specialist laboratories for processing are therefore susceptible to delays, potentially leading to artefact and compromising histological interpretation. Objective: Altered temperature, duration and hydration status influence the severity of storage-ind...
Bartsch S, Bauer B, Wiemann A, Clausen PH, Steuber S.Host feeding patterns of engorged sibling species of the Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris groups captured during three nights on two selected farms maintaining either cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs (Seedorf, Brandenburg) or cattle, sheep, moufflons, and red and fallow deer (Paulinenaue, Brandenburg) were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification using conserved primers and sets of species-specific primers derived from vertebrates mitochondrial cytochrome b. Out of a total of 177 blood meals analysed, 115 (65%) tested positive for a blood meal from vertebrates. 63.5% (...
Blunden A, Murray R, Dyson S.Lameness associated with lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in the digit is now recognised as an important cause of lameness, but there is currently limited information about the pathological nature of the lesions. Objective: To compare: signal intensity changes on magnetic resonance images with histopathology; and histopathological changes in the DDFT from horses with no history of foot-related lameness (Group C) and horses with lesions of the DDFT confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Group D). Methods: Transverse sections of the DDFT were harvested from 3 sites in ...
Levet T, Martens A, Devisscher L, Duchateau L, Bogaert L, Vlaminck L.There is a lack of evidence-based data on the prevalence, outcome and risk factors of distal limb cast sores, and no objective tool has been described for the early detection of cast sores. Objective: To investigate the prevalence, location, outcome and risk factors of cast sores after application of a distal limb cast and to determine whether static thermography of the cast is a valuable tool for the assessment of sores. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on horses treated with a distal limb cast. At each cast removal, cast sores were graded as superficial sores (SS), deep dermal sore...
Morrell JM, Dalin AM, Rodriguez-Martinez H.A new, simpler, technique of colloidal centrifugation has recently been developed, designated single layer centrifugation (SLC). This technique requires evaluation by comparison with a density gradient for its ability to select the best quality spermatozoa and its practicality of use on studfarms. Objective: To compare the effect of 2 methods of colloidal centrifugation, density gradient centrifugation and single layer centrifugation, on stallion sperm motility, yield and survival, using freshly collected extended stallion semen. Methods: Aliquots of extended stallion semen from 10 stallions (...
Barakzai SZ, Boden LA, Hillyer MH, Marlin DJ, Dixon PM.Previously, objective comparisons of surgical procedures to relieve dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) have been limited by the presumptive basis of the diagnostic measures applied. Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of thermal cautery surgery to conservatively treated controls in racehorses definitively diagnosed with idiopathic intermittent DDSP. Objective: Both conservative and surgical treatments have a beneficial result on racing performance in racehorses affected with DDSP. Methods: Race records were obtained for Thoroughbred racehorses definitively diagnosed with D...
McGill S, Malik R, Saul N, Beetson S, Secombe C, Robertson I, Irwin P.A retrospective study of cryptococcosis in domestic animals residing in Western Australia was conducted over an 11-year-period (from 1995 to 2006) by searching the data base of Murdoch University Veterinary Teaching hospital and the largest private clinical pathology laboratory in Perth. Cryptococcosis was identified in 155 animals: 72 cats, 57 dogs, 20 horses, three alpacas, two ferrets and a sheep. There was no seasonal trend apparent from the dates of diagnosis. Taking into account the commonness of accessions to Murdoch University, cats were five to six times more likely to develop this di...
The Journal of heredityMarch 20, 2009
Volume 100, Issue 4 481-486 doi: 10.1093/jhered/esp006
Wittwer C, Hamann H, Distl O.A whole-genome scan for radiological signs of osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in South German Coldblood (SGC) horses using 250 microsatellite markers identified a genome-wide significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for fetlock OCD and a chromosome-wide QTL for hock OC on Equus caballus chromosome (ECA) 18 at a relative position of 45.9-78.2 cM. The aim of this study was to analyze associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes for OC in this QTL region using 96 SGC horses. The OC-QTL on ECA18 could be confirmed and narrowed down to an inte...
Wotman K, Wilkins PA, Palmer JE, Boston RC.Lactate concentration in blood or plasma ([LAC]) and change in [LAC] are associated with survival in sick foals. Objective: [LAC] and change in [LAC] over time are associated with survival at 96 hours and discharge in neonatal foals. Furthermore [LAC] and change in [LAC] over time correlate with blood culture results and blood pressure at admission. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-five foals consecutively admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Methods: Retrospective case review. Foals <or=30 days of age with [LAC] from arterial (190) or umbilical (35) blood gas analysis ([LAC](BG)) at ...
Kriegshäuser G, Kuechler E, Skern T.Equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) is a picornavirus which causes an acute respiratory infection in horses worldwide, and virus neutralization (VN) has been the standard method for the detection of ERAV antibody in horse serum. Previous studies have identified recombinant virion protein VP1 (rVP1) purified under native conditions to be of high potential for the development of a diagnostic ERAV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study presents an optimized protocol for the expression and purification of native full-length rVP1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, upon denaturation, rVP1 ...
Furet JP, Firmesse O, Gourmelon M, Bridonneau C, Tap J, Mondot S, Doré J, Corthier G.Pollution of the environment by human and animal faecal pollution affects the safety of shellfish, drinking water and recreational beaches. To pinpoint the origin of contaminations, it is essential to define the differences between human microbiota and that of farm animals. A strategy based on real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays was therefore developed and applied to compare the composition of intestinal microbiota of these two groups. Primers were designed to quantify the 16S rRNA gene from dominant and subdominant bacterial groups. TaqMan probes were defined for the qPCR technique used ...
Tevell Aberg A, Olsson C, Bondesson U, Hedeland M.This paper describes a study where the metabolism of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam was investigated in six horses and in the filamentous fungus Cunninghamella elegans. The metabolites identified were compared between the species, and then the fungus was used to produce larger amounts of the metabolites for future use as reference material. C. elegans proved to be a good model of phase I meloxicam metabolism in horses since all four metabolites found were the same in both species. Apart from the two main metabolites, 5'-hydroxymethylmeloxicam and 5'-carboxymeloxicam, a seco...
Verwilghen D, Busoni V, Gangl M, Franck T, Lejeune JP, Vanderheyden L, Detilleux J, Grulke S, Deberg M, Henrotin Y, Serteyn D.Establishing the osteoarticular status of the horse is often performed by means of radiological screening of the animals. Widespread blood sampling could reveal to be an interesting alternative to this procedure which is time consuming and sometimes technically difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiological status of the horses and the levels of biochemical markers of cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. A specific radiological scoring and classification system was therefore developed and applied on 63 stallions presented for studbook ...
Machnik M, Gerlach M, Kietzmann M, Niedorf F, Thevis M, Schenk I, Guddat S, Düe M, Schänzer W.The anti-doping rules of national and international sport federations ban any use of tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) in human as well as in horse sports. Initiated by the THG doping scandals in human sports a method for the detection of 3-keto-4,9,11-triene steroids in horse blood and urine was developed. The method comprises the isolation of the analytes by a combination of solid phase and liquid-liquid extraction after hydrolysis and solvolysis of the steroid conjugates. The concentrations of THG in blood and urine samples were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)...
Brooks AC, Menzies-Gow NJ, Wheeler-Jones CP, Bailey SR, Elliott J, Cunningham FM.Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate equine platelets directly or indirectly, via leukocyte-derived platelet activating factor (PAF). Thromboxane (Tx) production by LPS-stimulated equine platelets requires p38 MAPK and this kinase has been suggested as a therapeutic target in endotoxaemia. The present study has utilised selective inhibitors to investigate the role of p38 MAPK and two other kinases, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase C (PKC), in regulating PAF-induced Tx production, aggregation and 5-HT release in equine platelets, and the modification of these responses b...
Barker SA.Beginning in 2004, the horseracing industry experienced an epidemic of drug positives for the amphetamine-like drug aminorex. Investigation of the therapeutic treatment of the horses called positive for this drug suggested that its source was from the administration of the anthelmintic levamisole. This study examines the urine concentrations of aminorex as a function of time following administration of synthetic, racemic aminorex. Confirmation of the presence of aminorex in urine samples from the horses known to be treated with levamisole is also presented as are data concerning the concentrat...
Wilson WC, Letchworth GJ, Jiménez C, Herrero MV, Navarro R, Paz P, Cornish TE, Smoliga G, Pauszek SJ, Dornak C, George M, Rodriguez LL.Sporadic outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in the United States result in significant economic losses for the U.S. livestock industries because VS is a reportable disease that clinically mimics foot-and-mouth disease. Rapid and accurate differentiation of these 2 diseases is critical because their consequences and control strategies differ radically. The objective of the current study was to field validate a 1-tube multiplexed real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay for the rapid detection of Vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus and Vesicular st...
Kornaś S, Gawor J, Cabaret J, Molenda K, Skalska M, Nowosad B.The prevalence of infection with cyathosthomes of horses is high worldwide. Identification of species on infective larvae based on available morphological keys is not fully accurate and the aim of the present study was to provide a reliable identification key of cyathostomes infective larvae. At the abattoir, horse large intestines were examined and the cyathostomes females extracted and identified. The eggs from uteruses of identified cyathostomes females were used for breeding the infective larvae. Morphological parameters of Cyathostominae infective larvae, i.e. the length of the larvae wit...
Hurcombe SD, Fox JG, Kohn CW.A 2-year-old quarterhorse was evaluated for chronic diarrhea and weight loss of 5 weeks duration after numerous diagnostic tests failed to identify an underlying cause. Historically, the horse was housed at pasture where human household waste vehicles were routinely cleaned and the effluent could run onto the field. Physical examination revealed poor body condition and frequent high-volume diarrhea. Diagnostic testing for Salmonella spp., endoparasites, Cryptosporidium spp., Clostridium spp., and diffuse infiltrative bowel disease were negative. Rectal tissue histopathology failed to identify ...
Cano A, Galosi CM, Martin Ocampos GP, Ramirez GC, Vera VJ, Villamil LC, Chaparro JG.This paper describes the isolation and characterisation of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in Colombia. The virus was isolated from a nasal swab and an aborted foetus of a pregnant mare imported from Argentina, with clinical signs of rhinopneumonitis. The new strain was characterised through culture and morphological, serological and immunocytochemical studies. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA restriction maps revealed an EHV-1 1P genome. This is the first report on the isolation and characterisation of EHV-1 in Colombia.
Young KE, Garza V, Snowden K, Dobson RJ, Powell D, Craig TM.Diversity of parasite populations was compared between two herds of horses, one a regularly treated herd the other a feral herd which has bad no anthelmintic treatment for at least 25 years. Eggs obtained from fecal samples of both herds were tested for anthelmintic resistance by use of an in-vitro larval hatch/development assay (LDA), DrenchRite. A fecal egg reduction test was also performed with the domesticated herd using fenbendazole, pyrantel pamoate and ivermectin. Cyathostomes were the predominant group of worms present in both herds. Trichostrongylus axei was seen in both herds, but St...
Ecke P, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.Hydration status, electrolyte balance and acid-base balance were studied in four adult standardbred geldings with castor oil-induced diarrhoea. The horses received an oral rehydration solution (ORS) at a point when signs consistent with mild decreases in effective circulating fluid volume were first detected. Within 1.5 h of ORS administration, all horses exhibited a significant metabolic acidosis. At this time, mean values for venous blood pH, [HCO3], and standard base excess were 7.264 +/- 0.011, 17.7 +/- 0.3 mmol L-1, and -8.2 +/- 0.4 mmol L-1, respectively. Throughout the duration of the s...
Oliveira Neto IV, Canisso IF, Segabinazzi LG, Dell'Aqua CPF, Alvarenga MA, Papa FO, Dell'Aqua JA.This study compared hormone treatments given to mares during anestrus, spring transition, and different stages of the estrous cycle, by assessing uterine features and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer (ET). Embryo recipient mares (n = 160) were equally arranged as follows: G1-spontaneous ovulation (control), G2-anestrus, G3-spring transition, G4-early estrus, G5-estrus, G6-diestrus, G7-early diestrus treated with a dose of dinoprost, and G8-early diestrus treated with two doses of dinoprost. At treatment initiation (Day-4), G2-7 were given dinoprost and estradiol-17β, thereafter, estr...
Krcmar S, Mikuska A, Merdić E.The response of female tabanids to natural attractants was studied in the Monjoros Forest along the Nature Park Kopacki rit in eastern Croatia. Tabanids were caught in canopy traps baited with either aged cow, horse, sheep, or pig urine and also in unbaited traps. Tabanids were collected in a significantly higher numbers in traps baited with natural attractants compared to unbaited traps. The number of females of Tabanus bromius, Tabanus maculicornis, Tabanus tergestinus, and Hybomitra bimaculata collected from canopy traps baited with cow urine and traps baited with other natural attractants ...
Grulke S, Benbarek H, Caudron I, Deby-Dupont G, Mathy-Hartert M, Farnir F, Deby C, Lamy M, Serteyn D.Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a specific enzyme of neutrophil azurophilic granules with a strong oxidative activity. Thanks to a radioimmunoassay of equine myeloperoxidase, the authors have observed a significantly higher plasma level of MPO in horses operated for strangulation obstruction of the large intestine (n = 6) than in horses suffering from a non-strangulating displacement of the large intestine (n = 9). For the 2 groups, 3 phases were distinguished: reception (P1), intensive care (P2) and terminal phase (P3). The mean peak values of MPO for these phases were 121.6 ng/mL (P1), 168.6 ng/mL ...
Nogueira BCF, Campos AK, Alves RS, de Cássia Vieira Faria R, Sarandy MM, Fonseca E Silva F, Gonçalves RV.Amblyomma sculptum is frequently observed parasitizing horses, responsible for economic losses, damage to the host''s skin and transmission of pathogens. The oxidative stress profile and inflammatory mechanisms involved in this parasitism remain poorly studied. Thus, this study aimed to assess the histopathological changes and oxidative profile responses of horses in the attachment site of A. sculptum to find variations that indicate resistance and susceptibility between the breeds to this tick, based on the hypothesis that resistant animals have a greater inflammatory response and lesser numb...
Bakała A, Karlik W, Wiechetek M.The aim of the study was to establish the optimal methods for hypothermic storage of equine isolated hepatocytes. Viability of equine isolated hepatocytes after hypothermic storage was dependent on the type of storage medium as well as on the cell density in the storage suspension and the preservation period. Hepatocytes stored at 4 degrees C in Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and Williams' Medium E (WE) for 24 h showed very low viability, numerous cell membrane blebs, very low attachment rate (11.9 +/- 6.5% and 34.8 +/- 19.1%, respectively) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylte...
Colbourne CM, Bolton JR, Mills JN, Whitaker D, Yovich JV, Howell JM.Pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma with spread to the pleural cavity were diagnosed in 2 horses. Clinical signs included respiratory distress, depression and pleural pain. The affected body cavities contained copious, serous effusions containing very large neoplastic mesothelial cells with densely-staining cytoplasm, hyperchromic nuclei and prominent, often multiple, nucleoli. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells appeared as solid aggregates, with profuse microvillous borders and neolumen formation. Cytological examination, together with confirmative ancillary diagnostic test...
Magnuson NS, Perryman LE, Wyatt CR, Ishizaka T, Mason PH, Namen AE, Banks KL, Magnuson JA.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 14 foals with hereditary severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) were studied to determine the extent of lymphocyte differentiation that occurs in this disorder. PBMC from all 14 horses had the morphologic characteristics of large granular lymphocytes (LGL). Cells from only one of 14 horses were responsive to phytolectin stimulation in a standard blastogenesis assay; however, PBMC from all 14 horses proliferated in continuous culture in the presence of partially purified interleukin 2. Furthermore, there were differences in the growth patterns of ...
Reilly PT, Dean EK, Orsini JA.The goals of mechanical treatment during the acute phase of laminitis are to preserve the lamellar interface by reducing the forces that are compromising its integrity and to make the horse more comfortable. Early decision making is important in managing acute laminitis. This article helps the practitioner to identify some of the commonly used and accepted methods of protecting the laminitic foot. The materials available and the theories behind their use are also described. The laminitic foot needs to be understood before determining methods for its support. Most treatment options involve shif...
Jenvey C, Caraguel C, Howarth GB, Riley CB.Prior to the start of endogenous production of immunoglobulins (Igs), absorption of maternal Igs is important to protect against pathogens in the early neonatal period. It is possible that mare- or foal-associated factors may influence neonatal IgA concentrations. Objective: The temporal relationships among serum and milk IgA concentrations in Thoroughbred mare-foal pairs were explored to determine if periparturient mare- and foal-associated factors contribute to the prediction of foal serum IgA concentrations. Methods: Blood and milk samples as well as complete veterinary records, were collec...
Ditz T, Schnapka-Hille L, Noack N, Dorow J, Ceglarek U, Niederwieser D, Schiller J, Fuchs B, Cross M.Horse serum is commonly used as an additive to support the maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells in culture. However, the wide variability in the performance of different lots calls for parallel testing of multiple batches over extended periods of culture. Identification of the serum components that determine hematopoietic support would therefore save considerable time and effort and would help to standardize culture procedures. We report here that the ability of horse serum to support the self-renewal of multipotent murine hematopoietic progenitor FDCP-Mix cells is correlated to the c...
De Ceulaer K, Delesalle C, Van Elzen R, Van Brantegem L, Weyns A, Van Ginneken C.Intestinal strangulation often leads to enterectomy after which ileus can develop. This has prompted research to look into possible pathophysiological processes triggering equine ileus. However, morphological changes of the small intestinal smooth muscle in relation to equine colic have not yet been studied. Objective: The presence of some smooth muscle proteins was morphologically assessed and quantified in control and colic horses. In addition, the up- or down-regulation of heat shock proteins (HSP20 and HSP27) influencing the contractility of smooth muscles was studied. Methods: Cranial res...
Dunkel B, Buonpane A, Chang YM.Clinical impression suggests that some gastrointestinal lesions are more common in certain horse types. The study tested the hypothesis that relative prevalence of acute gastrointestinal lesions differs between equid types. In a retrospective caseâ€"control study, records (2010â€"2015) were reviewed for equids with acute gastrointestinal disease. Signalment, details of gastrointestinal lesions and diagnoses were recorded. Animals were categorised as miniature type, pony, Arabian, light breed or draft type. Exclusion criteria were no recorded breed/size/diagnosis, age less than one year a...
Intan-Shameha AR, Divers TJ, Morrow JK, Graves A, Olsen E, Johnson AL, Mohammed HO.The current study aimed at the investigating the potential use of phosphorylated neurofilament H (pNF-H) as a diagnostic biomarker for neurologic disorders in the horse. Paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (n=88) and serum only (n=30) were obtained from horses diagnosed with neurologic disorders and clinically healthy horses as control. The neurologic horses consisted of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) (38 cases) and cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) (23 cases). Levels of pNF-H were determined using an ELISA. The correlation between CSF and serum concentrations of p...
Jeffcott LB, McCartney RN, Speirs VC.A safe, non-invasive method for the accurate measurement of bone mineral content in the third metacarpal bone of the horse is described. The technique involves scanning the bone with a single photon beam from an Americium-241 source. Data were obtained from the excised metacarpal bones from both forelimbs of 50 normal and seven lame horses. Measurements were made in vivo on eight normal and seven lame horses and on one experimental horse with osteopenia induced by partial weightlessness in a flotation tank. In the normal horses bone mineral content altered with age, particularly in the first s...
Graham NS, Clutterbuck AL, James N, Lea RG, Mobasheri A, Broadley MR, May ST.Affymetrix GeneChip arrays are a powerful tool for transcriptome profiling and have been applied to a wide range of species. A genomic DNA (gDNA)-based probe selection method has been developed which broadens the range of species to which GeneChips may be successfully applied. This study demonstrated that gDNA-based probe selection on the Affymetrix U133+2 GeneChip array can be used to study the equine transcriptome which, to date, has received only limited attention. More than 29,000 transcripts can be detected in equine brain and liver and in primary cultures of equine articular chondrocytes...
Foster ML, Love CC, Varner DD, Brinsko SP, Hinrichs K, Teague S, Lacaze K, Blanchard TL.Sperm membrane integrity (SMI) is thought to be an important measure of stallion sperm quality. The objective was to compare three methods for evaluating SMI: flow cytometry using SYBR-14/propidium iodide (PI) stain; an automated cell counting device using PI stain; and eosin-nigrosin stain. Raw equine semen was subjected to various treatments containing 20 to 80% seminal plasma in extender, with differing sperm concentrations, to simulate spontaneous loss of SMI. The SMI was assessed immediately, and after 1 and 2 d of cooled storage. Agreement between methods was determined according to Blan...
de Miguel Garcia C, Campoy L, Parry S, Miller JE, Martin-Flores M, Gleed RD.To collect data about the current practice of recovering horses from general anesthesia and recovery personnel safety. Methods: Online survey. Methods: An online questionnaire, including questions on general demographic data, recovery drugs, modality and characteristics of equine recovery and morbidity and mortality, was designed and distributed via e-mail to equine practitioners worldwide. Results: Practitioners from 22 countries completed 373 questionnaires; 53% of the participants were board-certified equine surgeons, and the remainder were board-certified anesthesiologists (18%), large ani...
Miranda-de la Lama GC, González-Castro CA, Gutiérrez-Piña FJ, Villarroel M, Maria GA, Estévez-Moreno LX.The study presents a novel veterinary forensic approach to analyse the bruising of horse carcasses, based on the nature of the bruises and how they are grouped in certain anatomical areas. Data on pre-slaughter logistics was obtained for 113 journeys with horses that travelled from Mexico and the USA to a Mexican abattoir. We found that carcass bruising was a highly prevalent problem (79% of carcasses had bruising) and was especially problematic in journeys lasting longer than 12 h, independently of the animal's country of origin, sex, age, lairage time or vehicle type. Multivariable logistic...
Liu SK, Dolensek EP, Adams CR, Tappe JP.Degenerative myelopathy was diagnosed in six Mongolian wild horses. Three of the horses had a history of ataxia dating from birth to 3 months of age. The clinical signs were uncoordinated movement of the hindlimbs and an abnormally wide-based gait and stance. The other 3 horses had mild ataxia. There were no gross lesions in the brain, vertebrae, or spinal cord. Histologic examination revealed degeneration of the neural processes in the ventral and lateral funiculi of all 6 horses. Myelin sheaths were dilated and vacuolated, and there were swollen, fragmented, or lysed axons. Neuronal degenera...
Durando MM, Slack J, Birks E, Belcher C, Kohn C.Injuries and sudden death during the cross-country (XC) phase of eventing have raised interest in the frequency and types of cardiac arrhythmias occurring in these equine athletes. Objective: To characterise the frequency and types of rhythm disturbances and examine possible risk factors for premature depolarisations (PDs) occurring during the XC phase of United States Eventing Association (USEA) and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)-sanctioned events. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: Continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings were obtained from horses prior...
Stewart AJ, Behrend EN, Wright JC, Martin LG, Kemppainen RJ, Busch KA, Hanson RR.To determine the lowest ACTH dose that would induce a maximum increase in serum cortisol concentration in healthy adult horses and identify the time to peak cortisol concentration. Methods: Evaluation study. Methods: 8 healthy adult horses. Methods: Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or 1 of 4 doses (0.02, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/kg [0.009, 0.045, 0.114, and 0.227 μg/lb]) of cosyntropin (synthetic ACTH) were administered IV (5 treatments/horse). Serum cortisol concentrations were measured before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after injection of cosyntropin or saline solution; CBCs were per...
Harris PA.The paper provides some basic epidemiological and clinical descriptive information for the equine rhabdomyolysis syndrome (ERS) in the United Kingdom. Information was obtained retrospectively from laboratory submission data as well as cases investigated by the author via their veterinary surgeon. Sex appeared to be a significant variable, with females being more likely than males to suffer from ERS compared to other conditions (P less than 0.01). More samples were submitted in the period November-February than at other times of the year (P less than 0.01). The condition appeared to be found in...
Imaizumi K, Nakamura T, Kiryu K, Kanemaru T, Kaneko M.The aorta and extrapulmonary artery were examined pathologically in 33 thoroughbred racehorses ranging in age from 1 to 5 years. Many of the great vessels of these horses exhibited degenerative or sclerotic changes in the media with neither lipidosis nor deposits of cholesterol. The severe lesions were predominantly observed at the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery. The severity of the lesions in both the aorta and pulmonary artery appeared to be associated with the racing career of the racehorse rather than with increasing age. Histopathogenetically, the medial changes in the great vessels ...
Liu IK, Turner JW, Van Leeuwen EM, Flanagan DR, Hedrick JL, Murata K, Lane VM, Morales-Levy MP.In this study of equids, we investigated the antibody response and the effect on the estrous cycle following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae (pZP) employing controlled-release methodology. We also investigated the use of two different water-soluble adjuvants as an alternative to oil-based adjuvants. Twenty-seven domestic mares were inoculated with various formulations of pZP and adjuvant. We showed that the anti-pZP antibodies generated as a result of the inoculations persisted for at least 43 weeks (length of the study). Of the various formulations used in the study, pZP and ...
Okumura M, Fujinaga T.To establish a sensitive and specific monoclonal antibody (MAB) against equine keratan sulfate (KS) and to develop an enzyme immunoassay for measurement of the concentration of KS in serum and synovial fluid from horses. Methods: 18 synovial fluid and 48 serum samples were obtained from clinically normal horses and horses with arthritis. Methods: BALB/c mice were immunized with chondroitinase-ABC-digested proteoglycan monomer from equine joint cartilage, and MAB were raised, using Sp2/O cells as a fusion partner. A competitive ELISA was optimized, using one of the established MAB, and KS conce...
Turner JW, Liu IK, Flanagan DR, Bynum KS, Rutberg AT.Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception was investigated for possible use in free-roaming wild horses in the western USA. A protocol of two injections (3-4 weeks apart) of vaccine lasting 1 year was first used and a single-injection controlled-release vaccine of 1 year duration was developed and tested in the field. Studies of a presumptive vaccine of 2 year duration were initiated. The parameters of anti-PZP antibody titre response, pregnancy testing and offspring production were used, and PZP vaccine was found to provide up to 94% infertility in free-roaming wild mares. In addition,...
Steinbach F, Mauel S, Beier I.Interferons (IFNs) are important mediators of the immune system. Their antiviral activity is an integral part of the innate immune defence, but all IFNs have immune regulatory functions also. Besides rec.eq.IFN-beta detailed descriptions on other rec.IFNs were lacking and none of the proteins was available. To compare the equine IFNs and allow detailed studies on proteins and bioactivity, we performed the expression cloning of rec.eq.IFN-alpha, -beta and -gamma. To achieve maximal expression, a bacterial expression system was chosen. Additionally, rec.eq.IFN-beta and -gamma were expressed in m...
Bayly WM, Schultz DA, Hodgson DR, Gollnick PD.Experiments were undertaken to determine whether respiratory masks worn by horses exercising strenuously on a treadmill may interfere with normal gas exchange. Four collection systems, two flow-through systems and two incorporating one-way valve systems with subject-generated airflow were studied. Six horses performed standard treadmill exercise tests consisting of a 2-min warm up followed by galloping 1 min each at 8,9, and 10 m/s. Each horse exercised six times while wearing each of the four respiratory masks. Each flow-through system was used twice with flow rates of 2,360 and 3,840 l/min f...
