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.
Principato M.Listed and described herein are the main macroscopic lesions produced along the whole digestive tract of free-ranging horses by larvae of the five Gasterophilus spp., occurring in Umbria, a region of central Italy: Gasterophilus intestinalis, Gasterophilus nasalis, Gasterophilus pecorum, Gasterophilus inermis, Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis. Lesions are classified on the basis of their sizes and shapes and the host's anatomic sites infested, and they are examined in relation to the developmental stages of larvae causing them. The examination of the lesions shows that it is very difficult to dif...
Gold JJ, Heath IB, Bauchop T.Vegetative and reproductive stages of Caecomyces equi gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from the horse caecum were examined by light and electron microscopy. This organism, which is similar to isolates known as Sphaeromonas communis, produces uniflagellate, uninucleate zoospores whose perikinetosomal structures, i.e. circumflagellar ring, spur, struts and scoop, are similar in many respects to those described in species of Neocallimastix. Microtubular roots extend basally from the spur and associate with hydrogenosomes and the nucleus. Another group of microtubules radiates laterally in a fan-shape...
Hurtig MB, Fretz PB, Doige CE, Schnurr DL.The mechanisms and completeness of equine articular cartilage repair were studied in ten horses over a nine month period. Large (15 mm square) and small (5 mm square) full-thickness lesions were made in weight bearing and nonweight bearing areas of the radiocarpal, middle carpal and femoropatellar joints. The horses were euthanized in groups of two 1, 2.5, 4, 5 and 9 months later. Gross pathology, microradiography, and histopathology were used to evaluate qualitative aspects of articular repair. Computer assisted microdensitometry of safranin-O stained cartilage sections was used to quantitate...
Marais J, Masty J.Scanning-electron-microscopic examination of corrosion casts was used to investigate the microcirculation of the coronary border of the equine hoof. Numerous peg-shaped capillary plexuses derived from arterioles extended distally from the dorsal branches of the digital arteries parallel to the hoof wall. The plexuses varied in length and consisted of a fine network of interconnected capillaries that converged to join a centrally situated venule. These centrally situated venules within the papillary plexuses gave rise to a vast venous plexus deep to the coronary band.
Kopp E, Mayr B, Schleger W.The expression of nucleolus organizer region (NOR) activity in diploid cells was investigated in a model mammalian hybrid system, the hinny (female ass x male horse), by sequential Ag-NOR and chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI (CDD) staining ion lectin-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. In the majority of cases we found non-expression of the horse-derived NOR chromosomes in the hinny. However, in one case there was strong NOR expression on horse-derived chromosome no. 1.
Cross DT, Ginther OJ.Uterine contractions in 8 nonpregnant and 13 pregnant mares were studied using ultrasonography. A 1-min video tape recording was made of longitudinal real-time images of the uterine body. An overall uterine contractile activity score (0 = no or minimal activity to 4 = maximal activity) was assigned to each video tape segment. There was a day effect (P less than .01) and an interaction (P less than .01) of reproductive status X day. Uterine activity scores were highest on d 14 to d 18 (d 0 = day of ovulation) for nonpregnant mares and on d 10 to d 14 for pregnant mares. Uterine activity scores ...
Browning GF, Ficorilli N, Studdert MJ.Two previously unknown and distinct herpesviruses were isolated from donkeys. One, with the characteristics of a betaherpesvirus, was isolated from the leukocytes of an apparently healthy donkey, while the second, an alphaherpesvirus, was recovered from the nasal cavity of donkeys given high doses of corticosteroids, and caused rhinitis in two seronegative weanling donkeys when they were intranasally infected. Few, if any, restriction endonuclease fragments were shared by the donkey betaherpesvirus, equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV 2) or EHV 5, a second distinctly different equine betaherpesvirus, no...
Katila T.Altogether 156 equine endometrial biopsies were carried out during the post partum (p.p.) period: immediately after parturition until 15 days after foaling. The histological changes are described. The rapid restoration of the equine endometrium is remarkable. The destruction of the luminal epithelium is minor and regeneration takes place rapidly. Remnants of the placenta, the microcotyledons and desquamated cells, have disappeared by 5 p.p. The transformation of glands from a pronounced secretory pattern to normal appearance also takes only 5 days. The occurrence of neutrophils and lymphocytes...
Mermod L, Hoppeler H, Kayar SR, Straub R, Weibel ER.Muscle samples were taken from the superficial part of the semitendinosus muscle of four standardbred horses to compare the effects of three different fixation procedures on fiber size and capillarity. Infiltration fixation in an extended position of the muscle was compared to immersion fixation and infiltration fixation in a flexed position of the limb. The capillary length density was used to estimate muscle capillarity. Infiltration fixation was found to be a viable alternative to perfusion fixation of muscles for morphometry of fiber size and capillary length density allowing muscle tissue...
Bermudez V, Miller RB, Johnson W, Rosendal S, Ruhnke L.The growth of Mycoplasma equigenitalium and Mycoplasma subdolum from specimens collected from the clitoral fossa of each of four Standardbred mares was not diminished by freezing of the specimens in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) for up to 30 days when compared to samples cultured immediately.
Angelos J, Oppenheim Y, Rebhun W, Mohammed H, Antczak DF.The relationship between breed and the risk of developing sarcoid tumours or uveitis of unknown etiology was evaluated in a retrospective study of 16242 equine cases admitted between 1975 and 1987 to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Hospital, and 3198 equine tissue samples sent to the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between 1977 and 1987. Of 120 sarcoid cases from the Large Animal Hospital, sarcoids were twice as likely to develop in Quarter Horses (odds ratio, OR = 1.8, P less than 0.05) relative to Thoroughbreds and less than half as likely to de...
Bostedt H.A clinical study about the effects of a beta 2-mimetic agent (Clenbuterol) in mares with pregnancy disorders or disorders during the periparturient period (n = 34) is reported. In general, a single dose of 0.3 mg Clenbuterol given i.v. induces sufficient tocolysis. Subsequent doses or follow-up treatment depend upon individual development during dystocia, indication of treatment and clinical preparturient status (dorsoflexio uteri ante partum, abortus imminens, preparturient labor pains).
Fritsch R, Hausmann R.In 26 horses measurings of blood pressure, using the Dinamap 1255 research monitor, were performed and compared for accuracy with blood pressure values obtained by direct measurement in the arteria carotis. It was found that oscillometrically ascertained initial blood values in standing horses have a sufficient correlation to initial blood pressure values obtained by direct measurement. But every blood pressure change is registered too late, when using the oscillometric blood pressure apparatus. This temporal delay becomes unacceptable, when a considerable increase in blood pressure occurs. A ...
Hinrichs K, Sertich PL, Solorzano NM, Caldwell LA.An immediate, qualitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for progesterone was evaluated for use in determining the day of ovulation in an equine embryo transfer program. Plasma samples were collected from 27 mares from the third day of estrus to the second day of diestrus for 50 cycles. Ovulation was detected by ultrasound examination per rectum. Plasma progesterone concentrations were estimated using the qualitative assay to detect the time of the rise in progesterone after ovulation. Qualitative scores were compared to progesterone concentrations for the same samples as measured b...
Cohen D, Bosler EM, Bernard W, Meirs D, Eisner R, Schulze TL.A serologic survey of horses in the New Jersey-Pennsylvania area demonstrated that about 10% (6.2-14.2%) have significant levels of serum antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi. However, in a highly endemic area of central New Jersey, up to 60% of the mares and yearlings samples on one farm were seropositive. In 1983, sera from this same farm exhibited only 12% positives in mares and 35% positives in yearlings. Longitudinal studies of paired sera obtained from individual yearlings over a 6-month period in 1985 showed that 34% of them declined during the period. A new clinical syndrome associated wit...
Cochaux P, Van Sande J, Swillens S, Dumont JE.The characteristics of the iodide-induced inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in dog thyroid slices have been previously described [Van Sande, J., Cochaux, P. and Dumont, J. E. (1985) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 40, 181-192]. In the present study we investigated the characteristics of the iodide-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in dog and horse thyroid. The inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation by iodide in stimulated horse thyroid slices was similar to that observed in dog thyroid slices. The inhibition was observed in slices stimulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone, cholera tox...
Chottard G, Michelon M, Hervé M, Hervé G.Complex formation between horse heart ferricytochrome c and large three-dimensional polyanions has been investigated, in order to study the influence of surface electrostatic interactions on the structural and redox properties of cytochrome c. Cytochrome c binds the large heteropolytungstates (NaSb9W21O86)18- and (KAs4W40O140)27- with a 1/1 polyanion/cytochrome c ratio, and the smaller ion (SiW11O39)8- with a 2/1 ratio. Upon complexation, cytochrome c undergoes structural changes that are dependent on the size and charge of the polyanion, and on the pH and ionic strength of the medium. Three d...
Berghuis GA.The conception rates of semen intended for shipment and those of recently obtained semen are compared in the present paper. Conception rates using recently obtained semen were significantly superior to those obtained with semen intended for shipment. A number of factors to which this difference could be due are briefly discussed.
Wyatt CR, Magnuson NS, Perryman LE.Six monoclonal antibodies, designated EqT2, EqT3, EqT6, EqT7, EqT12, and EqT13, which identify T lymphocyte antigens present at different stages of T cell maturation were used to examine T lymphocyte development in foals with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Flow microfluorimetry demonstrated the presence of EqT12+ and EqT13+ prothymocytes and a few phenotypically mature EqT2+ and EqT3+ thymocytes within the thymic remnants of SCID foals. However, very few EqT6+ and EqT7+ resident cortical thymocytes were detected. The near absence of EqT6+ and EqT7+ cortical thymocytes was confirmed b...
Hodgson DR.This article reviews what are considered the basic concepts of gas transport, blood gases, and acid-base physiology is most mammalian species. Techniques for the appropriate collection of blood samples for blood gas and acid-base determinations in the newborn foal are described. Guidelines for interpretation of these values in the normal foal and those animals undergoing respiratory and metabolic derangements are provided.
Cowell RL, Tyler RD, Clinkenbeard KD, MacAllister CG.This article discusses collection, slide preparation, culture technique, fluid analysis and evaluation, and cytologic evaluation of peritoneal and pleural effusions. The morphologic characteristics of various effusions are described, and the physical characteristics (volume, color, turbidity) of effusions are discussed. An algorithm for classifying effusions as transudates, modified transudates, or exudates is included, and each category is discussed.
Labadia A, Rivera L, Costa G, García-Sacristán A.The presence of both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in the caudal third ureter of the horse were studied in vitro under isometric conditions using adrenergic agonist and antagonist drugs. Isoprenaline and the beta 2- stimulating agent, salbutamol, elicited relaxation of the ureter smooth muscle strips. The responses were not affected by the beta 1- blocking agent, practolol, but were totally abolished by propranolol and the beta 2- blocking agent, butoxamine. The stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors with noradrenaline and phenylephrine evoked a contractile effect which was totally in...
Carpenter S, Evans LH, Sevoian M, Chesebro B.Equine infectious anemia virus was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes collected during two early febrile cycles of an experimentally infected horse. RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotide fingerprint analyses indicated that the nucleotide sequences of the isolates differed by approximately 0.25% and that the differences appeared randomly distributed throughout the genome. Serum collected in the interval between virus isolations was able to distinguish the isolates by membrane immunofluorescence on live cells. However, no neutralizing antibody was detected in the interval between virus isola...
Illera JC, Illera M, Hamlin RL.Electrocardiograms were obtained from 100 male crossbred horses. In addition to standard limb leads, leads were taken from 12 points on the thorax. The QRS complexes were categorized into 1 of 8 forms on the basis of configuration and amplitudes of component deflections. Relative uniformity of QRS was determined for each lead, using the percentage of horses that possess a particular configuration. All unipolar thoracic leads, except those coplanar with the frontal plane, and lead aVR had great uniformity, with greater than 80% of the horses with a QRS of similar contour.
Tyler RD, Cowell RL, Clinkenbeard KD, MacAllister CG.Normal reference ranges and pertinent background information on equine hematology are presented and briefly discussed. Diagnostic interpretation of hematologic data is discussed and three diagnostic algorithms and two diagnostic tables are provided to facilitate the use of the presented information for diagnosis. Two cases are presented and the information presented in the article is used to interpret the case data.
de Waal DT, Potgieter FT.Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi larvae were fed on the ears of rabbits. Seven days after larval infestation, unfed, newly moulted nymphae were manually removed to infest a splenectomized donkey showing a patent Babesia caballi infection. Engorged nymphae were collected from the donkey and the ensuing adult ticks were placed on a susceptible horse. The horse contracted a B. caballi infection showing a prepatent period of 19 days after tick infestation. A very low parasitaemia, (highest score 2), which was patent for only 10 days, was recorded. The lowest packed cell volume recorded was 16%.
McGowan CM, Ireland JL.Equine endocrine disease is an important area for equine research, requiring an appropriate case definition for inclusion and criteria for exclusion from disease. Defining a case for research may be different from criteria for clinical diagnosis. Further, clinical diagnosis recommendations have been changing regularly, making this area challenging for equine scientists. This review discusses the diagnosis of major equine endocrine diseases, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, equine metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation, focusing on the most appropriate diagnostic methods for researc...
Lovell DK.Through the study of equine exercise physiology, one can learn more about what happens to the body of the performance horse during all forms of exercise. Better understanding of skeletal, joint, tendon, and ligament adaptations to loading and stress may allow adjustments to be made in training techniques to reduce the incidence of injury. The information obtained from exercise research may also facilitate the investigation of questions such as the following: What makes one horse perform better than another? How can one bring out the optimal performance in each horse? How can one tell when a ho...
Sager M.The aim of this article is to emphasize the need for analgesic medication in animals in possibly painful situations, especially in the postoperative period. The two large groups of compounds used as analgesics--the opiates and the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)--are described with special reference to their pharmacokinetics, side-effects and toxicity, their mechanism of action, their indications and contraindications. Recommended doses of the different drugs available are given for the dog, the cat, the horse, the swine and the small and large ruminants.
Bischofberger AS, Hadidane I, Wereszka MM, Perkins NR, Jeffcott LB, Dart AJ.To determine the effect of horse age and laryngeal prosthesis location on rima glottidis area in cadaveric larynges. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 40). Methods: Specimens were grouped by age: group 1, ≤5 years (n = 18); group 2, >5 to ≤10 years (n = 12); group 3, >10 years (n = 10). A cranial prosthesis was placed through the dorsal cricoid spine at 70% of the distance of the total cricoid length measured from the caudal rim. A dorsal prosthesis was placed through the caudal rim of the cricoid on the dorsal midline. A lateral prosthesis was plac...
Liu IK, Walsh EM, Bernoco M, Cheung AT.Two bronchoalveolar lavages, 24 h apart, were performed on 15 foals, ranging in age from 1 to 21 days. In the first lavage, a numerical deficiency in alveolar macrophages was demonstrated in foals up to 2 weeks of age when compared with older (2-3 years of age) horses. Alveolar macrophages obtained from the lungs of 2-3-day-old foals also demonstrated significant impaired chemotactic function. In the second lavage, although an increase of alveolar macrophages was noted, a dramatic increase of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) mobilization occurred in the foals, thus providing a phagocytic bac...
Rose PL, Hightower D, Auer JA, Hulse D, Schenk RK.In the present study, radionuclide scintigraphy and radiography were used to evaluate the rate and degree of healing that occurred in surgically created subchondral bone defects in horses. Following radionuclide scintigraphy and radiography the horses were killed, and histomorphometric analysis was performed on the defect sites. The histomorphometric results were compared to the radionuclide scintigraphic and radiographic results to determine which noninvasive technique provided the most accurate information concerning healing of the bone defects. It was concluded that radionuclide scintigraph...
De Paolis L, Armando F, Montemurro V, Petrizzi L, Straticò P, Mecocci S, Guarnieri C, Pezzolato M, Fruscione F, Passeri B, Marruchella G, Razzuoli E.Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) has been recently associated with Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection. Still, few reports concerning this disease are present in the literature. Objective: To describe a case of naturally occurring EcPV2-induced VSCC, by investigating tumour ability in undergoing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods: Case report. Methods: A 13-year-old Haflinger mare was referred for a rapidly growing vulvar mass. After surgical excision, the mass was submitted to histopathology and molecular analysis. Histopathological diagnosis was c...
Govaere JL, Hoogewijs MK, de Schauwer C, Dewulf J, de Kruif A.Embryo reduction of unilateral twin vesicles is normally successful before fixation of the vesicles. After fixation, however, it becomes a challenge, and the later in the gestation period that the reduction is performed, the greater the challenge. One therapy to reduce a twin into a singleton pregnancy is the transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUGA) of one of the vesicles. The results of 35 unilateral twin reductions by TUGA are discussed in this paper and possible negative influences of age, parity and days pregnant are analysed statistically.
Van Driessche K, Ducatelle R, Chiers K, Van Coster R, van der Kolk JH.Very few mitochondrial myopathies have been described in horses. Objective: To examine the ultrastructure of muscle mitochondria in equine cases of myopathy of unknown origin. Methods: Biopsies of vastus lateralis of the Musculus quadriceps femoris were taken predominantly immediately post mortem and processed for transmission electron microscopy. As a result, electron micrographs of 90 horses in total were available for analysis comprising 4 control horses, 16 horses suffering from myopathy and 70 otherwise diseased horses. Results: Following a thorough clinical and laboratory work-up, four o...
Shawaf T, El-Deeb W, Hussen J, Hendi M, Al-Bulushi S.Recently, the complementary therapies such as cupping and acupuncture are being used in veterinary medicine. This research was carried out to determine the effects of wet cupping therapy (Hijama) on the hematological and the biochemical parameters in the healthy Arabian horses for the first time. Methods: In this study, seven clinically healthy Arabian horses were randomly selected. Four points on the animal body were selected to perform the cupping therapy. Two points were selected at the back just behind the scapula on the left and right sides; another two points were located in the rump. Cu...
Henry MM, Moore JN.Whole blood re-calcification times were evaluated as a measure of endotoxin-associated coagulopathy in horses. First, the effects of endotoxin concentration and duration of in vitro incubation of citrated whole blood with endotoxin on the whole blood re-calcification time of blood collected from healthy horses were determined. Increasing concentrations or incubation times of endotoxin accelerated the whole blood re-calcification time. This effect was attributed mainly to increased monocyte thromboplastin activity. Second, whole blood re-calcification time, a clotting profile, plasma factor VII...
Cutler C, Viljanto M, Taylor P, Habershon-Butcher J, Van Eenoo P.Ibutamoren mesylate, or MK-0677, is an orally active, nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue that has been developed to stimulate excretion of endogenous growth hormone. It has been evaluated for the treatment of a range of clinical conditions but is not available therapeutically. Nonetheless, MK-0677 is widely available to purchase online, sold as 'supplement' products. The mode of action and relative ease of purchase make MK-0677 a potential threat with regard to sports doping. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolism of MK0677 in the horse following in vitro incubation and or...
Data in briefSeptember 5, 2022
Volume 45 108578 doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108578
Gaitskell-Phillips G, Martín-Cano FE, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Silva-Rodríguez A, da Silva-Álvarez E, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Peña FJ.This paper provides a detailed set of data on how the stallion sperm proteome differs among stallions with different sperm motilities, although within normal ranges. Findings distinguish proteins that may help to identify stallions of superior sperm motility. Sperm proteins were analyzed using a UHPLC/MS/MS system comprising of an Agilent 1290 infinity series UHPLC coupled to an Agilent 6550 Q-TOF mass spectrometer (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). These data can be used to disclose potential targets to identify good sperm samples and to study specific pathways involved in the regu...
Nara PL, Krakowka S, Powers TE, Garg RC.Fourteen young outbred horses, divided into 2 groups on the basis of 18- or 24-hour skin-test reactions to Streptococcus equi, were inoculated nasopharyngeally with virulent S equi. Animals (n = 6, group I) with evidence of previous exposure to S equi (positive dermal response and existing serum antibodies), with one exception, developed minimal or no signs of disease after inoculation. In contrast, S equi skin-test negative and seronegative horses (n = 8, group II) developed predictable and severe clinical signs of infection after their inoculation, including shedding of the organism from nas...
Dupont S, De Spiegeleer A, Liu DJ, Lefère L, van Doorn DA, Hesta M.Commercial immunoglobulin E (IgE)-based tests are available for diagnosis of food allergies and are commonly used in equine practice. However, these tests have been proven unreliable as a screening method in man and other species, but not critically evaluated in equids. Therefore, a commercially available IgE-based test for horses was evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the consistency of the results obtained with a commercially available IgE-based test for food allergy diagnosis in ponies (Phase I) and to subject ponies to a provocation trial with the presumed allergens (Phase II). Methods: All...
Golland LC, Evans DL, McGowan CM, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.Red blood cell hypervolaemia has been used for diagnosis of overtraining in racehorses, and has been suggested as a mechanism of this cause of loss of racing performance. The effects of overload training (OLT) on the plasma, blood and red cell volumes were investigated in a prospective study in 12 Standardbred horses. Measurements of blood volumes were made after eight and 32 weeks of an exercise training study. Horses were randomly allocated to OLT and control groups (n=6) after 16 weeks of training. Training duration and intensity were increased more rapidly for the OLT group from week 16, u...