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Topic:Veterinary Research
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.
Age-related changes and effect of exercise on the molecular composition of immature equine superficial digital flexor tendons. To test the hypothesis that exercise at very young age may influence the eventual molecular composition (and hence the biomechanical properties) of tendon tissue in the horse, 43 Dutch Warmblood foals were allotted to 3 differently exercised groups (box-rest, box-rest with training and pasture exercise). Twenty-four superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) were collected at age 5 months (8 from each exercise group) and the others were obtained at 11 months after an additional period of light exercise that was equal for all remaining foals and was intended to see if any induced changes would ...
Radiographic development of osteochondral abnormalities, in the hock and stifle of Dutch Warmblood foals, from age 1 to 11 months. In a longitudinal study the hocks and stifles of Dutch Warmblood foals were radiographed at age 1 month and subsequently at intervals of 4 weeks. Forty-three foals were radiographed until age 5 months and 19 foals until age 11 months. The chance for the development of osteochondrosis was enhanced by using only offspring from diseased sires with radiographically proven OC at either the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia or the lateral ridge of the femoral trochlea. The radiographic appearances of the intermediate ridge of the distal tibia, the distal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge of...
Conclusions regarding the influence of exercise on the development of the equine musculoskeletal system with special reference to osteochondrosis. This paper summarises and interrelates the findings of a large-scale multidisciplinary investigation to assess the influence of exercise on the development of the equine musculoskeletal system in general and of osteochondrosis in particular, up to age 5 months. Forty-three foals, genetically predisposed to develop OC, were divided into 3 exercise groups: box-rest, box-rest with training and free pasture exercise. At 5 months, all foals were weaned and 8 foals per group were subjected to euthanasia for postmortem examination. The remaining 19 foals were placed together and subjected to euthanas...
Postnatal muscle fibre composition of the gluteus medius muscle of Dutch Warmblood foals; maturation and the influence of exercise. The fibre type composition of the deep gluteus muscle was studied in biopsies of Dutch Warmblood foals from birth until age 48 weeks. Half the foals were given box-rest, the other half received exercise consisting of an increasing number of gallop sprints. The muscle fibre types were determined using monoclonal antibodies discriminating against the following myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms: types I, IIa, IId, Cardiac-alpha and Developmental. During the first 48 weeks there was a consistent increase of fibres expressing types IIa MHC, replacing fibres expressing IId MHC. This change was refle...
Changes in bone morphogenic enzymes and lipid composition of equine osteochondrotic subchondral bone. Osteochondrosis (OC) is a disturbance in the process of endochondral ossification, a process in which cartilage is mineralised and transformed into bone. In this process different biochemical events occur, of which the cartilage component has been studied so far almost exclusively. In this study we concentrated on the biochemical characterisation of normal and osteochondrotic subchondral bone, by analysis of enzyme activities, DNA content and phospholipids (PL). In subchondral bone, lysyl oxidase and both total and bone alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in all degrees ...
Effect of a static magnetic field on blood flow to the metacarpus in horses. To determine the effect of a static magnetic field on relative blood flow to the metacarpus of horses. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Red blood cells were radiolabeled in vivo by administration of technetium Tc 99m (pyro- and trimeta-) phosphates, and scintigraphic images were obtained 30 minutes later. A magnetic wrap that emitted a static magnetic field was applied to 1 metacarpus and a control wrap was applied to the contralateral metacarpus. Forty-eight hours later, the wraps were removed, and scintigraphy was repeated. Relative per...
[Environment and secular sperm trend. Stallion’s semen quality during the last two decades]. Several reports have suggested that human semen quality has declined throughout the world over the last few decades. Chemicals in the environment acting as endocrine disruptors have been implicated as a possible cause. If this is indeed the case, then similar effects may be observed in animals. We report data on secular trends in semen quality of stallions collected during the last two decades by French National Studs. Methods: We analyzed 1489 ejaculates collected from 390 Breton draught stallions between 1981 and 1996 and 341 ejaculates from 86 anglo-arab thoroughbred stallions from 1985 and...
Identification of lipoprotein homologues of pneumococcal PsaA in the equine pathogens Streptococcus equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Streptococcus equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus are major etiological agents of upper and lower airway disease in horses. Despite the considerable animal suffering and economic burden associated with these diseases, the factors that contribute to the virulence of these equine pathogens have not been extensively investigated. Here we demonstrate the presence of a homologue of the Streptococcus pneumoniae PsaA protein in both of these equine pathogens. Inhibition of signal peptide processing by the antibiotic globomycin confirmed the lipoprotein nature of the mature proteins, and surface expo...
Effect of centrifugation and partial removal of seminal plasma on equine spermatozoal motility after cooling and storage. The objective of this study was to determine if centrifugation and partial removal of seminal plasma would improve spermatozoal motility in semen from stallions whose whole ejaculates have poor tolerance to cooling and storage. Stallions were divided into two groups (n = 5/group) based on the ability of their extended semen to maintain spermatozoal motility after cooling and storage. Group 1 stallions ("good coolers") produced semen in which progressive spermatozoal motility after 24 h of cooling and storage was reduced by < or = 30% of progressive motility prior to storage. Group 2 stallions ...
Vitrification of immature and mature equine and bovine oocytes in an ethylene glycol, ficoll and sucrose solution using open-pulled straws. Studies were conducted to compare viability of immature and mature equine and bovine oocytes vitrified in ethylene glycol. Ficoll using open-pulled straws. Oocytes from slaughterhouse ovaries (N=50/group) with >2 layers of compact cumulus cells were vitrified immediately after collection (immature groups) or vitrified after 36 to 40 (equine) or 22 to 24 (bovine) h of maturation (mature groups). Immature oocytes were matured after thawing. Before vitrification, oocytes were exposed to TCM-199 + 10 FCS + 2.5 M ethylene glycol + 18% Ficoll + 0.5 M sucrose (EFS) for 30 sec and then to 5 M ethylene...
Amounts of selected coagulation factors in pre- and post-mortem follicular fluid are similar and do not correlate with molecular mass. This study was designed to evaluate the amounts of coagulation factors and to determine whether the protein profile in pre-ovulatory ovarian follicular fluid aspirated from ovaries collected from mares at slaughter are representative of that in follicular fluid collected from live animals. The proteins evaluated included, (i) albumin, ceruloplasmin and fibronectin, (ii) the procoagulant plasma proteins, Factor V (FV), Factor VII (FVII), Factor X (FX) and prothrombin, and (iii) the anticoagulant plasma proteins, antithrombin and alpha2-macroglobulin. The amounts of the individual proteins were ...
The effect of initiation of exercise training in young horses on vitamin K status. Twelve Quarter Horses, 18 to 24 mo of age and having an average body weight of 460+/-12 kg, were randomly assigned to one of two exercise treatments (control and exercise) to study the effect of initiation of exercise training in young horses on vitamin K status. The control treatment consisted of hand-walking the horses 7 min/d and 5 d/wk for 180 d. Exercise consisted of the following treadmill exercise regimen: 2 min at 4.5 to 5.4 m/s, 3 min at 13.4 to 14.3 m/s, and 2 min at 4.5 to 5.4 m/s on 5 d/wk for 180 d. Both groups were allowed free access to brome grass hay (273 mg of phylloquinone/1...
Individual speed dependency of forelimb lameness in trotting horses. Using a system for motion analysis, linear correlation of speed and forelimb lameness was measured in 16 horses trotting on a treadmill at a minimum of three different trotting speeds. Forelimb lameness was determined as asymmetry of vertical head motion during left and right forelimb stance. In seven horses with a moderate forelimb lameness (head motion asymmetry >40%), lameness increased significantly with trotting speed. In a further seven horses with mild or subclinical forelimb lameness (head motion asymmetry <40%) and in two horses with a moderate forelimb lameness, no significant ...
Bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract in 34 horses. To investigate associations between the bacteriology and aspects of history, clinical presentation, outcome and pathology of lower respiratory tract disease of 34 horses. Methods: Detailed aerobic and anaerobic bacteriological investigations were performed on clinical specimens from horses with pneumonia, lung abscessation and necrotic pneumonia with or without pleurisy in an attempt to identify those bacteria that might contribute to the initiation and progression of infection. Results: Bacteria were cultured from 33 of the 34 horses. In ten cases, only aerobic/facultatively anaerobic isolate...
Tensions used on girths on thoroughbred racehorses. To determine commonly used girth tensions in Thoroughbred racehorses in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Methods: A prospective industry survey. Methods: Strappers were instructed to tension girths, using the same saddle, under-saddle packing and girth, sufficiently to hold the saddle for racing. These tensions were continuously recorded by an in-line load cell in the girth. Seventeen strappers from five stables participated in the study, which was conducted on 91 horses. Results: Resting girth tensions varied considerably. The mean tension on inhalation was 13 +/- 0.4 kg. Male strappers recor...
Catalase activity in equine semen. To characterize the activity of catalase in equine semen. Methods: 15 stallions of known and unknown reproductive history. Methods: Seminal plasma was collected from raw equine semen by centrifugation, and samples of seminal plasma were frozen prior to assay for catalase activity. Tissue samples (n = 3 stallions) from the bulbourethral gland, prostate gland, vesicular gland, and testis were homogenized, and cauda epididymal fluid was collected for determination of catalase activity. Catalase activity was determined as an enzyme kinetic assay by the disappearance of H2O2 as measured by ultravio...
Use of an extracorporeal circuit to evaluate effects of ischemia and reperfusion of the equine large colon. To determine efficacy of an extracorporeal circuit to maintain a segment of equine large colon for 3.5 hours and to evaluate the effect of low arterial flow on histologic and metabolic variables. Methods: Segments of large colon from 15 healthy adult horses. Methods: The pelvic flexure was surgically removed and maintained in an isolated circuit. In the control group, tissue was evaluated for 3.5 hours, whereas in the low-flow group, arterial flow was reduced to 20% of baseline for 40 minutes followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Various metabolic and hemodynamic variables were evaluated at 30-m...
Concentrations of elastinolytic metalloproteinases in respiratory tract secretions of healthy horses and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To determine whether samples of tracheal epithelial lining fluid (TELF) obtained from horses have elastinolytic activity characteristic of metalloproteinases, to compare elastinolytic activity in TELF obtained from healthy horses and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to determine whether chemically modified tetracycline-3 (CMT-3) inhibits elastinolytic activity in TELF ANIMALS: 10 horses with COPD and 10 healthy control horses. Methods: Zymography and fluorometry were used to measure elastinolytic activity, and EDTA was used to inhibit elastinolytic activity and ver...
Pseudallescheria boydii infection of the nasal cavity of a horse. An 18-year-old 454-kg (1,000-lb) American Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated because of chronic intermittent malodorous right-sided nasal discharge. Endoscopy revealed a mycotic plaque in the nasal cavity adjacent to the nasomaxillary opening of the right caudal maxillary sinus. The nasomaxillary opening appeared to be larger than normal. Fungal culture of specimens of the mycotic plaque yielded Pseudallescheria boydii. The horse was treated with 2% miconazole intranasally, sodium iodide i.v., and potassium iodide p.o. Thirty and 60 days after treatment was initiated, the nasal cavity was fou...
Kinematics of the hind limb in trotting horses after induced lameness of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints and intra-articular administration of anesthetic. To identify hind limb and pelvic kinematic variables that change in trotting horses after induced lameness of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints and after subsequent intra-articular administration of anesthetic. Methods: 8 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: Kinematic measurements were made before and after transient endotoxin-induced lameness of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints and after intra-articular administration of anesthetic. Fourteen displacement and joint angle (metatarsophalangeal [fetlock] and tarsal joints) measurements were made on the right h...
Effect of transforming growth factor beta1 on chondrogenic differentiation of cultured equine mesenchymal stem cells. To determine the morphologic and phenotypic effects of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) on cultured equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and articular chondrocytes. Methods: Bone marrow aspirates and articular cartilage samples from a 2-year-old and two 8-month-old horses. Methods: After initial isolation and culture, MSC and chondrocytes were cultured in Ham's F-12 medium supplemented with TGF-beta1 at a concentration of 0, 1, 5, or 10 ng/ml. Medium was exchanged on day 2, and cells were harvested on day 4. Medium was assayed for proteoglycan (PG) content. Total RNA was isolated fro...
Genotyping of Bacteroides fragilis isolates from stool specimens by arbitrarily-primed-PCR. In order to determine genetic relatedness of Bacteroides fragilis isolates from different clinical sources, arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (AP-PCR) was used to compare 17 strains isolated from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 20 strains isolated from foals with diarrhea. Three reference ATCC strains were also analyzed. Eighteen unique types were identified with a 22-mer arbitrary primer (ERIC-2) among the 20 patient isolates. Types 1 (enterotoxigenic) and 9 (nonenterotoxigenic), were each found in the stools of two patients. All other isolates showed a dis...
The effect of the alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine, on secretion patterns and rates of adrenocorticotropic hormone and its secretagogues in the horse. Alpha-2-adrenoceptor activation may lower adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by reducing secretagogue input and/or increasing the release of an inhibitory factor (CIF). To investigate this, we gave clonidine, an alpha-2-agonist, to seven horses, and collected pituitary venous blood every minute for 20 min before treatment and 40 min after treatment. Six horses were given saline vehicle. Mean secretion rates of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and ACTH were calculated before and during four 5-min then two 10-min periods after clonidine or saline. Reduction in A...
Miscellaneous. This section includes clinical conditions which have unique characteristics which make them unsuitable for inclusion in the first six sections. The clinical description, aetiology and histopathologic findings of the unusual ear lesion, aural plaques, are described. Dermatoses complicated by, or caused by, photosensitivity are discussed in regards to their aetiology and pathogenesis as well as clinical features. The suggestion that photosensitization plays a role in the development of the lesions seen in pastern leukocytoclastic vasculitis is made. This section ends with an in depth discussion ...
