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.
May JP, Walker CA, Maskell DJ, Slater JD.Streptococcus equi subsp. equi is the causative agent of the equine disease strangles. In this study we describe the development of an in vivo Himar1 transposon system for the random mutagenesis of S. equi and, potentially, other Gram-positive bacteria. We demonstrate efficient and random transposition of a modified mini-transposon onto the chromosome by Southern blot analysis and insertion site sequencing. Non-haemolytic mutants were isolated at a frequency of 0.2%, and acapsular mutants at a frequency of 0.04%. Taken together, these data demonstrate that in vivo Himar1 mutagenesis can be use...
Drogemuller M, Schnieder T, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G.The molecular mechanism of benzimidazole (BZ) resistance in cyathostomins of horses is still unclear. Previous studies revealed that the TTC or TAC polymorphism in codon 200 of the beta-tubulin isotype 1 gene is not as strictly correlated with BZ resistance as in trichostrongyles in sheep. To identify further sites of polymorphism within the beta-tubulin gene related to BZ resistance, complete complementary DNAs (cDNAs) encoding beta-tubulin of adult worms of Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cyathostomum pateratum, Cyathostomum coronatum, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, and Cylico...
Landman MA, de Blaauw JA, van Weeren PR, Hofland LJ.A population of 805 horses (70 per cent dressage, 20 per cent show jumpers and 10 per cent trotters) with orthopaedic problems was examined for signs of lameness and back problems, irrespective of their original complaints. In the horses with a back problem the prevalence of lameness was 74 per cent, and back problems were diagnosed in 32 per cent of the lame horses. These percentages were significantly higher than those recorded in a control population of 399 horses, of which 20 per cent were lame and 12 per cent had back problems. In the group of horses with orthopaedic problems there was a ...
Heath TJ.To describe the attitudes to their work and career of those Australian veterinarians who work with horses. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 866 veterinarians who had been identified as working with horses, and 87% were completed and returned. Data were entered onto Excel spreadsheets, and analysed using the SAS System for Windows. Results: The main attractions of veterinary work with horses were the horses themselves and the equine industries, but working outdoors and with rewarding clients, and the satisfaction of successful outcomes were attractions for many. The list of disadvantages ...
Jackson KA, Stott JL, Horohov DW, Watson JL.The objectives of this study were to quantify the induction of equine CD23 transcripts in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and pulmonary alveolar macrophages cultured with recombinant equine IL-4 (rEq IL-4). PBMCs were isolated from blood drawn from four healthy horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected from three healthy horses and alveolar macrophages were purified using adherence to plastic for 120 min. PBMCs and alveolar macrophages were cultured using four different conditions: rEq IL-4 and LPS, LPS alone, rEq IL-4 alone and a media control. Total RNA was i...
Rosati S, Profiti M, Lorenzetti R, Bandecchi P, Mannelli A, Ortoffi M, Tolari F, Ciabatti IM.Among animal lentiviruses, Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), Equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) and Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) are important pathogens associated with a variety of clinical pictures including immunodeficiency, anaemia, arthritis, pneumonia. The detection of viral antibody response represents a practical diagnostic approach in all lentivirus infections since they remain detectable long life. Capsid antigen (CA) is the major viral core protein and specific antibodies against this antigen are usually first recognised in infected sheep, goat and horse, remaining dete...
Gigante A, Bevilacqua C, Cappella M, Manzotti S, Greco F.Articular cartilage defects do not heal. Biodegradable scaffolds have been studied for cartilage engineering in order to implant autologous chondrocytes and help cartilage repair. We tested some new collagen matrices differing in collagen type, origin, structure and methods of extraction and purification, and compared the behavior of human chondrocytes cultured on them. Human chondrocytes were grown for three weeks on four different equine type I collagen matrices, one type I, III porcine collagen matrix and one porcine type II collagen matrix. After 21 days, samples were subjected to histoche...
Meyerholz DK, Caston SS, Haynes JS.An Appaloosa filly was born with a ventral midline, approximately 8 x 12 x 15 cm subcutaneous cervical mass. The nonencapsulated mass was composed of interlacing and haphazard bundles of spindle cells on moderate to abundant loose myxomatous stroma. A moderate number of cells showed cross striations with minor nuclear variation and a low mitotic rate. Immunohistochemical staining for myoglobin, desmin, actin, vimentin, and S-100 was positive and negative for glial fibrillar antigen and keratin. Rhabdomyomas are rare benign tumors of striated muscle. Rhabdomyomas described previously in the vet...
Chvala S, Nowotny N, Kotzab E, Cain M, van den Hoven R.To evaluate use of the acupuncture meridian test for detection of recent or recently reactivated equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection in horses with decreased performance. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: 40 horses. Methods: Physical and neurologic examinations were performed, and acupuncture points on the bladder meridian were tested for sensitivity reactions in case and control horses. Polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to determine whether EHV-1 or equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) DNA could be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Complement fixation (CF)...
Dutto DJ, Hoyt DF, Cogger EA, Wickler SJ.Although the forces required to support the body mass are not elevated when moving up an incline, kinematic studies, in vivo tendon and bone studies and kinetic studies suggest there is a shift in forces from the fore- to the hindlimbs in quadrupeds. However, there are no whole-animal kinetic measurements of incline locomotion. Based on previous related research, we hypothesized that there would be a shift in forces to the hindlimb. The present study measured the force produced by the fore- and hindlimbs of horses while trotting over a range of speeds (2.5 to 5 m s(-1)) on both level and up an...
Duarte PC, Conrad PA, Wilson WD, Ferraro GL, Packham AE, Bowers-Lepore J, Carpenter TE, Gardner IA.To estimate risk of exposure and age at first exposure to Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi and time to maternal antibody decay in foals. Methods: 484 Thoroughbred and Warmblood foals from 4 farms in California. Methods: Serum was collected before and after colostrum ingestion and at 3-month intervals thereafter. Samples were tested by use of the indirect fluorescent antibody test; cutoff titers were > or = 40 and > or = 160 for S neurona and N hughesi, respectively. Results: Risk of exposure to S neurona and N hughesi during the study were 8.2% and 3.1%, respectively. Annual rate...
van de Lest CH, Brama PA, van El B, DeGroot J, van Weeren PR.Osteochondrosis (OC) is the most important developmental orthopaedic disease in the horse. Despite some decades of research, much of the pathogenesis of the disorder remains obscure. Increasing knowledge of articular cartilage development in juvenile animals led to the presumption that the role of collagen in OC might be more important than previously thought. To study collagen characteristics of both cartilage and subchondral bone in young (5 and 11 months of age) horses, samples were taken of subchondral bone and articular cartilage from a group of 43 Dutch Warmblood foals and yearlings that...
Sanchez LC, Murray MJ, Merritt AM.To evaluate the efficacy of omeprazole paste, a commonly used antiulcer drug, on intragastric pH in clinically normal neonatal foals. Methods: 6 clinically normal foals between 5 and 14 days of age. Methods: Intragastric pH was recorded in each foal by use of a disposable antimony pH electrode with internal reference. Values for intragastric pH were recorded every 4 seconds by use of an ambulatory pH monitor. There were two 24-hour recordings of intragastric pH for each foal, with 24 hours between recordings. Foals were not administered any drugs during the first recording. Foals were administ...
Watson ED, Bae SE, Thomassen R, Thomson SR, Woad K, Armstrong DG.The period between seasonal anoestrus and cyclicity is characterized in many mares by cyclical growth and regression of large dominant follicles. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a key role in follicular growth and regression; therefore, we hypothesized that changes in the IGF system and its binding proteins would modulate onset of cyclicity in mares. Ovaries were obtained from pony mares on the day after detection of an actively growing 30 mm transitional anovulatory follicle, and also at the second or third oestrus of the breeding season on the day after the preovulatory fol...
Campbell ML, England GC.Uterine motility may have significance for the transportation of spermatozoa and the elimination of the ejaculate and inflammatory products after mares have been covered. The effect of some of the component stimuli of coitus on uterine contractions was investigated by using M-mode ultrasound. The number, amplitude and duration of the uterine contractions of each uterine horn and of the uterine body were measured in oestrous mares for four minutes before and four minutes after teasing by a stallion, mechanical stimulation of the vagina and cervix, the intrauterine infusion of 80 ml of sterile s...
Chung C, Mealey RH, McGuire TC.Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are important for controlling equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). Because Gag matrix (MA) and capsid (CA) are the most frequently recognized proteins, the hypothesis that CTL from EIAV-infected horses with diverse MHC class I alleles recognize epitope clusters (EC) in these proteins was tested. Four EC were identified by CTL from 15 horses and 8 of these horses had diverse MHC class I alleles. Two of the eight had CTL to EC1, six to EC2, five to EC3, and four to EC4. Because EC2-4 were recognized by CTL from >50% of horses with diverse alleles, the hypothesi...
Luo J, Bruice TC.Molecular dynamics and cross-correlation analysis of the horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase HLADH.NAD(+).PhCH(2)O(-) complex has established anticorrelated motions between the NAD(+)-binding domain and other portions of the enzyme. Four pairs of anticorrelated interactions are (i and ii) cofactor-binding domain: C(alpha) of V292 and the CG1 of V203 with C7 of PhCH(2)O(-); (iii) cofactor-binding domain: amide carbonyl oxygen of I318 with amide N of H67; and (iv) cofactor domain: C(alpha) of T178 with carbonyl oxygen of L141. The average distances between pairs are 9.2 A for i, 8.2 A for ii, 14.7...
Salazar P, Traub-Dargatz JL, Morley PS, Wilmot DD, Steffen DJ, Cunningham WE, Salman MD.To determine outcome of equids in the western United States with clinical signs of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and identify factors associated with risk of death in infected equids. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 484 equids in Nebraska and Colorado. Methods: Owners of 484 equids with laboratory-confirmed West Nile virus infection in Nebraska and Colorado were contacted by telephone, and a questionnaire was used to obtain information on signalment, management, clinical signs, date of disease onset, duration of disease, WNV vaccination status, and health status at the time of the i...
Drogemuller M, Failing K, Schnieder T, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G.This study was designed to investigate the effect of repeated treatments with increasingly high fenbendazole (FBZ) dosages on the phenotype and genotype of a benzimidazole (BZ)-resistant cyathostomin population. An experimentally infected horse was treated repeatedly with FBZ dose rates between 7.5 and 30.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) over approximately 2 years. Faecal egg counts (FECs) and larval cultures were performed weekly. A total of 45 faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) were analysed, revealing a high variability during the course of experiment with a mean value in faecal egg count re...
Wagner B, Miller DC, Lear TL, Antczak DF.This report contains the first map of the complete Ig H chain constant (IGHC) gene region of the horse (Equus caballus), represented by 34 overlapping clones from a new bacterial artificial chromosome library. The different bacterial artificial chromosome inserts containing IGHC genes were identified and arranged by hybridization using overgo probes specific for individual equine IGHC genes. The analysis of these IGHC clones identified two previously undetected IGHC genes of the horse. The newly found IGHG7 gene, which has a high homology to the equine IGHG4 gene, is located between the IGHG3 ...
Thomasy SM, Slovis N, Maxwell LK, Kollias-Baker C.This study investigated the pharmcokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the fentanyl transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) in horses in which there was an inadequate analgesic response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone. Nine horses with pain that was refractory to therapeutic doses of phenylbutazone (n = 3) or flunixin meglumine (n = 6) subsequently also received between 39 and 110 microg/kg of transdermal fentanyl. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after patch application, and a radioimmunoassay was used to determine serum f...
Saulez MN, Cebra CK, Tornquist SJ.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in intestinal mucosa, bile, bone, and renal tubule cells. We sought to assess the diagnostic and prognostic relationships of total ALP (ALPt) activity and that of intestine-derived ALP (ALPi) in serum and peritoneal fluid of 126 horses with colic. ALPt and ALPi activities were measured in both serum and peritoneal fluid by using both standard and L-phenylalanine-based buffers, respectively. Neither ALPt nor ALPi activity were useful in classifying type or severity of intestinal damage. ALPt and ALPi activities in peritoneal fluid were lowest in h...
Weese JS, DaCosta T, Button L, Goth K, Ethier M, Boehnke K.After recognition of a cluster of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in horses and humans at the Ontario Veterinary College Veterinary Teaching Hospital, environmental contamination with MRSA was evaluated. A total of 260 environmental surfaces were sampled during periods when MRSA-infected horses were hospitalized, and MRSA was isolated from 25/260 sites (9.6%). The most commonly contaminated sites were stalls housing MRSA-positive horses, but other stalls, medical equipment, personal items, and equine restraint devices also were contaminated. The role of the environ...
Sessions DR, Reedy SE, Vick MM, Murphy BA, Fitzgerald BP.Peripheral insulin resistance is the failure of proper cellular glucose uptake in response to insulin. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are associated with several disease states in the horse and reproductive function disturbances in humans, including polycystic ovarian syndrome. To test the hypothesis that insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinemia disrupt the estrous cycle in mares, two experiments were conducted to first develop a model to induce IR and to then examine the effect of this model on the duration of the estrous cycle. In Exp. 1, a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HEC...
Aleman M, Riehl J, Aldridge BM, Lecouteur RA, Stott JL, Pessah IN.Equine malignant hyperthermia MH has been suspected but never genetically confirmed. In this study, we investigated whether mutations in a candidate gene, RyR1, were associated with MH in two clinically affected horses. RyR1 gene sequences revealed polymorphisms in exons 15, 17, and 46 in WTRyR1 and MHRyR1 horses with one derived amino acid change in MHRyR1 exon 46, R2454G. The MHRyR1 horses were genetically heterozygous for this mutation, but presented an MH phenotype with halothane challenge. Skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum from a R2454G heterozygote collected during a fulminant MH episode s...
Bowen IM, Marr CM, Chester AH, Wheeler-Jones CP, Elliott J.The equine aortic valve is subject to non-inflammatory degenerative changes, associated with aortic valvular regurgitation (AR). This disease shares pathological and epidemiological features with AR in humans, and may serve as a useful model to study in-vitro functional responses associated with aging and disease. The study aim was to determine the contractile properties of the normal equine aortic valve. Methods: The contractile responses of equine aortic valves to angiotensin II, the thromboxane-mimetic U44069, endothelin-1, 5-hydroxytryptamine and the alpha-adrenoceptor agonists medetomidin...
Plasenzotti R, Stoiber B, Posch M, Windberger U.Comparative animal studies showed the wide variation of whole blood and plasma viscosity, and erythrocyte aggregation among mammalian species. Whole blood viscosity and red blood cell aggregation is influenced by red cell fluidity. To evaluate differences in erythrocyte deformability in mammals, three species were investigated, whose erythrocytes have a different aggregation property: horse, as a species with high, dog with medium, and sheep with almost unmeasurable aggregation tendency. Erythrocyte deformability was tested ektacytometrically (Elongation Index [EI], LORCA, Mechatronics, Hoorn,...
Ishii H, Shibuya M, Kusano K, Sone Y, Kamiya T, Wakuno A, Ito H, Miyata K, Yamada M, Leung GN.Vadadustat is a newly launched hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizer with anti-anemia and erythropoietic effects; however, its use in horses is expressly forbidden in both racing and equestrian competitions. Following our previous report on the pharmacokinetic study of vadadustat in horse plasma and urine, a long-term longitudinal analysis of vadadustat in horse hair after nasoesophageal administration (3 g/day for 3 days) to three thoroughbred mares is described in this study. Our main objective is to further extend the detection period of vadadustat for the purpose of doping control. Three...
Menéndez MI, Phelps MA, Hothem EA, Bertone AL.To determine the pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone (MP) and the relationship between MP and hydrocortisone (HYD) concentrations in plasma and urine after intra-articular (IA) administration of 100 or 200 mg of MP acetate (MPA) to horses. Methods: Five 3-year-old Thoroughbred mares. Methods: Horses exercised on a treadmill 3 times/wk during the study. Horses received 100 mg of MPA IA, then 8 weeks later received 200 mg of MPA IA. Plasma and urine samples were obtained at various times for 8 weeks after horses received each dose of MPA; concentrations of MP and HYD were determined. Pharmaco...
Tehrani M, Ownagh A.Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by an obligate intra-cellular pathogen called affecting a broad range of animal hosts including horses. Most of the isolates found carry plasmids which genetic studies of strains suggest a critical role in survival. The correlation between an isolated plasmid type and the chronic or acute nature of the disease has always been controversial. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of and plasmids in horses and assess the potential role of these species as reservoirs of infection and transmission. Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) a...
Szeredi L, Aupperle H, Steiger K.Formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded fetal membranes from 76 cases of equine abortion were examined immunohistochemically for equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1 antigen. Of the 76 cases, 11 had been proved EHV-1-positive by diagnostic methods applied to the aborted fetuses (viral isolation in tissue culture, or immunohistochemical examination, or both). Of the 11 fetal membranes from the virus-positive animals, five gave positive results on immunohistochemical examination, and three on in-situ hybridization; the positive signals were detected in trophoblastic cells and occasionally in monocytes and e...
Cooley PL.When compared with small domestic animals, the horse has unique ocular characteristics (complete bony orbit, well-developed eyelid muscles, a nasal and temporal gray limbal line, granulae iridica, paurangiotic fundus). Knowledge of normal equine ocular anatomy is essential for ocular lesion interpretation. It is important to obtain a full history and general examination before sedation, nerve blocks, or other diagnostic ophthalmic tests are performed. All ocular examinations should include a systematic evaluation of both the anterior and posterior segments. Selection of other diagnostic tests ...
Fayer R, Dubey JP.Eight ponies and a horse were inoculated orally with sporocysts of Sarcocystis fayeri from dogs. They were examined for clinical signs of infection and killed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50 (horse), 77, 101, and 156 days after inoculation (DAI). Elevated temperature was observed in three ponies 20 and 26 DAI and anemia was observed in three ponies and the horse 15 to 69 DAI. Schizonts were found in or near cells lining capillaries or arteries of the heart, brain, and kidney 10, 20, and 25 DAI. Immature cysts containing only metrocytes were first found in muscles 50 DAI. Mature intramuscular cysts cont...
Sentsui H, Inoshima Y, Murakami K, Akashi H, Purevtseren B, Pagmajav O, Sugiura T.Cross reactivity of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) antigen prepared using a recombinant baculovirus containing the p26 gene of strain P337-V70 was examined by the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum samples serially collected from 13 horses experimentally infected with six different EIAV strains (two or three horses per strain) were subjected to the test. Positive reactions were observed in the AGID test and ELISA before or soon after the first feverish period and continued persistently in most of the horses. The results with recombi...
Bertram TA, Jensen AE.Morphology and function of equine neutrophils were evaluated after combination with contagious equine metritis organism (CEMO) or 1 of 2 CEMO lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The 2 LPS (LPS-a; LPS-p) isolated from the CEMO contained 14- and 16-carbon fatty acids, ketodeoxyoctanate, hexose, and heptose, but were morphologically distinct. Neutrophils exposed to LPS had fewer granules, whereas those exposed to CEMO had more granules than did the controls (phosphate-buffered saline solution). Neutrophil iodination was significantly increased with 10 and 25 micrograms of LPS-a, but not significantly alte...
Bucca S, Carli A.Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and dexamethasone have a role in the reproductive management protocols of mares susceptible to persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE). However, it is possible that there is interference between these 2 drugs. Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of hCG to induce ovulation in mares treated with dexamethasone at breeding time. Methods: Medical records from 152 mares and 223 cycles were analysed. In 113 cycles, mares susceptible to PMIE were treated with 1500 iu hCG and a single dose of 50 mg dexamethasone, 11...
Olivier-Carstens A.Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on the solar aspect of the distal phalanx of 10 feet of five normal live horses (Group 1), 22 feet of seven normal cadavers (Group 2), and nine feet of five horses with pathology of the dorsal solar aspect of the distal phalanx (Group 3). Lateromedial radiographs of the distal phalanx were made in all groups, and in Group 2, digits were sagitally sectioned after imaging. The ultrasonographic and radiographic appearance of the sagittal solar aspect of the distal phalanx was described. Measurements of the distance between the sole and the distal tip o...
Araujo JM, Araújo JV, Braga FR, Carvalho RO.Three isolates of predator fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34), and Arthrobotrys robusta (I-31) were assessed in in vitro test regarding the capacity of prey infective larvae (L(3)) Strongyloides westeri. Compared to control, without fungus, there was a significant decrease (P 0.01) in vitro test. Linear regression coefficients of treated and control groups were -0.21 for control, -0.32 for D. flagrans, -0.34 for M. thaumasium, and -0.22 for A. robusta. In the following, isolates AC001 and NF34 were assessed in vivo regarding the capacity of supporting the pa...
Volkmann DH, van Zyl D.Semen of 2 pony stallions was frozen by 2 methods in 0.5 ml PVC straws. The fertility of the frozen-thawed semen was evaluated by inseminating 60 mares during 69 oestrous cycles. An overall single cycle pregnancy rate of 55% was achieved. Freezing method, stallion, insemination during steroid-synchronized oestrus or insemination only every 2nd day during oestrus did not significantly influence pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates were significantly improved from a mean 44% to a mean 73% when the mean number of progressively motile spermatozoa per insemination was increased from 175 x 10(6) to 249 ...
Hughes C, Lehner F, Dirikolu L, Harkins D, Boyles J, McDowell K, Tobin T, Crutchfield J, Sebastian M, Harrison L, Baskin SI.An epidemiological association among black cherry trees (Prunus serotina), eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americana), and the spring 2001 episode of mare reproductive loss syndrome in central Kentucky focused attention on the potential role of environmental cyanogens in the causes of this syndrome. To evaluate the role of cyanide (CN (-)) in this syndrome, a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive method for determination of low parts per billion concentrations of CN (-) in equine blood and other biological fluids was developed. The analytical method is an adaptation of methods commonly in ...
Abreu RA, Weiss RR, Thomaz-Soccol V, Locatelli-Dittrich R, Laskoski LM, Bertol MA, Koch MO, Alban SM, Green KT.Sera from 112 mares from 5 horse-breeding farms was examined for the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as well as from dogs and cattle present on these properties for the presence of antibodies to N. caninum. Among the 112 mares, 35 had a history of reproductive problems in the last breeding season and 77 had no reproductive problems. The rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum in mares with and without a history of reproductive problems were 25.71% and 6.49% and from T. gondii 2.85% and 1.29%, respectively. In dogs ...
Saeidi E, Mansoori Yarahmadi H, Fakhraei J, Mojahedi S.The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dietary prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from inulin and Enterococcus faecium on nutrient digestibility, fecal pH, and some blood parameters. In this experiment, twelve adult Kurdish horses with average bogy weight of 416 ± 43.3 kg and age averaging 6 ± 1.8 year were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial design during 4 periods of 28 days, including 21 days for dietary adaptation and 7 days for sampling. Horses were offered 1 of 4 treatments: (1) no FOS or 2.5 × 10 colony forming ...
Hoque S, Derar RI, Senba H, Osawa T, Kano K, Taya K, Miyake Y.To clarify the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics in mares with granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT), the localization of inhibin subunits (alpha, betaA, betaB) and aromatase in the granulosa cell layers and theca layers in the ovarian follicles were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The follicles were obtained from the ovaries of 6 mares with GTCT and 4 normal mares as controls. Immunohistochemically, inhibin alpha-subunit was localized in the granulosa cells of all follicles showing different sizes in all GTCT cases and betaA- subunit was localized in two GTCT cases...
Wong KS, Chan GHM, Ho ENM, Wan TSM.Growth hormone (GH), or somatotropin, is a protein that may enhance physical performance and facilitate growth and wound healing. For this reason, growth hormones and their recombinant analogues are prohibited in human sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and in horseracing under Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering published by the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA). Identifying the illicit use of GHs in both human athletes and racehorses is challenging, especially when differentiating between endogenous and exogenous GHs,...
Carver DA, Ball BA.Previous studies have demonstrated a detrimental effect of seminal plasma on the maintenance of motility of cooled equine spermatozoa; however, the mechanism for the adverse effect of seminal plasma during cooled storage remains undetermined. In goats, a glycoprotein component of bulbourethral gland secretion contains lipase activity that is detrimental to sperm motility when stored in skim milk-based extenders. The objective of the current study was to determine the amount of lipase activity in stallion seminal plasma and to determine the effect of added lipase on spermatozoal motility during...
Souza EAR, Araujo AC, Pires LCSR, Freschi CR, Azevedo SS, Machado RZ, Horta MC.Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease in horses, has so far not been reported in Pernambuco state, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Babesia caballi and anti-Theileria equi antibodies based on the detection of these agents in equine blood and in ticks on horses in the municipality of Petrolina, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were drawn from 393 horses and sera were examined by ELISA. The presence of tick infestations was evaluated, and 101 ticks were subjected to DNA amplification for the detection of Babesia spp. by polymerase ch...
Dierberger H, Pieper L, Jung M, Schulze M.Appropriate stallion semen handling is of great importance in equine artificial insemination (AI) industry. Optimal treatment of AI doses is aiming for best sperm preservation by excluding strong environmental influences and adding media that favour sperm survival. One method widely used in stallion sperm handling is the rotation of liquid-preserved semen samples on roller benches during storage. As previous studies in boars give rise to the fact that rotation should not be considered beneficial for spermatozoa anymore, the present study investigated the influence of continuous rotation of dil...
Pesko B, Habershon-Butcher J, Muir T, Gray B, Taylor P, Fenwick S, Hincks P, Scarth J, Paine S.Paracetamol is a widely used, non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug. Scientific evidence suggests that it is an effective pain treatment in equine medicine. However, there is very little published information about the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the horse. The aim of the research was to determine the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in equine plasma and urine to inform treatment of Thoroughbred racehorses. In this multi-dose study, paracetamol was administered orally at 20 mg/kg to six Thoroughbred horses. Pre- and post-administration urine and plasma samples were collected and analys...
Lorenzo-Figueras M, Pusterla N, Byrne BA, Samitz EM.To evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial conventional blood culture system (BCS), a commercial resin-containing BCS, and a commercial lysis-centrifugation-based BCS for the recovery of Escherichia coli from equine blood samples inoculated with that organism. Methods: Samples of blood obtained from a clinically normal horse that were inoculated with E coli. Methods: Blood samples were aseptically collected and inoculated with an E coli specimen (50 CFUs/mL) that had been previously isolated from a foal with sepsis. Subsequently, samples were spiked with gentamicin at a concentration of 30 ...
Rose PL, Bradley WM.Strangulating volvulus of the large colon was treated by resection and anastomosis of the colon in 9 horses. Tissue specimens were obtained at the site of the resection for histologic evaluation. An attempt was made to correlate the appearance of the colon at the time of surgery to the histologic evaluation and the eventual outcome. Six of the 9 horses (66%) survived. This is in contrast to a reported survival of 34.7 to 36% after decompression and reduction of colonic volvulus. Survival after surgery could not be predicted on the basis of visual assessment or histologic examination.
Popot MA, Jacobs M, Garcia P, Loup B, Guyonnet J, Toutain PL, Bailly-Chouriberry L, Bonnaire Y.Tiludronate is a bisphosphonate drug marketed to treat different bone conditions in horses. Objective: The goal of this study was to measure the plasma concentrations of tiludronate in a population of race and sport horses under field conditions, and using pharmacokinetic population modelling, to estimate detection times for doping control. Methods: Prospective cohort. Methods: This study was conducted under field conditions on 39 race or sport horses diagnosed with bone conditions based on a lameness examination and treated with tiludronate. Each horse received 1 mg/kg of tiludronate (Tildren...
Creton B, Pageat P, Robejean M, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Cozzi A.Hematophagous insects can be vectors of pathogens and cause significant economic loss in zootechnical production. Among biting insects, many dipteran species feed on horse blood. The black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) group, is responsible for several disorders in horses and inflicts painful bites that lead to undesirable behaviours in horses, particularly when bites occur in sensitive areas such as the inner ear. A field study was conducted in a French equestrian center during which a semiochemical was applied on horses' ears to assess repellent efficacy against simulid infestation. During the f...
Posta J, Rudiné Mezei A, Mihók S, Mészáros G.The aim of this study was to analyse the duration of the competitive life of jumping horses in Hungary to assess the potential for genetic evaluation and to get information about the risk factors affecting jumping performance of sport horses. The data set included lifetime performance in jumping competitions for 8475 horses born from 1992 onwards with records between 1996 and 2011 (32.7% were right-censored). Longevity was measured as the number of years spent in the competition. Discrete time survival model included fixed effects of gender, age at first competition, and the time-dependent eff...
