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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Macroscopic and histopathological description of gastric les...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2024; doi: 10.1111/jvim.17193

Macroscopic and histopathological description of gastric lesions in horse, donkey, and mule fetuses in the last trimester of gestation.

Abstract: Limited information is available on gastric diseases in neonatal foals as compared with extensive studies in young, adult, and geriatric horses. Reports on fetuses are scarce. Objective: Assess at necropsy stomachs of horse, donkey and mule fetuses in the third trimester of gestation to characterize lesions present during intrauterine life. Methods: Forty-six fetal stomachs from both sexes (21 horses, 21 donkeys, and 4 mules) in the third trimester of gestation were collected from a processing plant immediately after slaughter. Methods: Measurements of longitudinal and transverse axes, weight and volume and gastric fluid pH were taken, and glandular and squamous mucosae were inspected. All findings of the gastric mucosa and measurements of the stomachs were presented descriptively. Groups were compared statistically, with significance level set at P < .05 for all evaluations. Results: All gastric contents had pH >5.8, and mules had larger stomachs and higher weights compared with horses (P < .05). Macroscopic lesions were classified as hyperemic, punctate, and erosive. Histopathologically, lesions were consistent with a chronic inflammatory process. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of macroscopic and histopathological lesions in the gastric mucosae of equid fetuses in the last trimester of gestation. Relevant information for perinatology and neonatology is provided regarding the prevalence and classification of preulcerous lesions in equids before birth.
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2024-09-23 PubMed ID: 39312907DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17193Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study looks into stomach diseases in horse, donkey, and mule fetuses during the third trimester of gestation by examining stomachs collected right after slaughter. The research documents the size, weight, volume, gastric fluid pH, and mucosal findings of these fetal stomachs, comparing across the different animal groups.

Study Overview

  • The research aims to assess stomach lesions in equid (horse, donkey, and mule) fetuses in the third trimester to gain insights into diseases during intrauterine life.
  • The focus on this particular stage of development is noteworthy because research on fetus equids is very limited, especially compared to studies on young, adult, and geriatric horses.
  • The analysis includes longitudinal and transverse axes measurements, stomach weight and volume, gastric fluid pH measurements, and inspection of the glandular and squamous mucosae.

Methods

  • The researchers collected 46 fetal stomachs right after slaughter, including both male and female equids: 21 horses, 21 donkeys, and 4 mules in the final trimester of gestation.
  • The stomachs were measured for size, weight and volume, and the pH of the gastric fluid was determined.
  • The stomachs’ mucosae—both glandular and squamous—were inspected for abnormalities or lesions.
  • The findings were compared statistically between the groups with a significance level set at P<.05.

Findings

  • All studied gastric contents had a pH higher than 5.8, implying that the stomach environment is relatively alkaline compared to humans.
  • Mule fetuses were found to have larger stomachs and higher weights comparatively horses.
  • Different types of lesions—hyperemic, punctate, and erosive—were found and these lesions at a macroscopic level were consistent with a chronic inflammatory process at a histopathological level.

Conclusion

  • This study provides valuable insights into early disease processes in equid fetuses, specifically lesions within the gastric mucosa, an area previously understudied.
  • These findings are especially significant for perinatology and neonatology, providing essential information on the prevalence and classification of preulcerous lesions in equids prior to birth.

Cite This Article

APA
Medina-Bolívar AL, Faleiros RR, Martínez-Aranzales JR. (2024). Macroscopic and histopathological description of gastric lesions in horse, donkey, and mule fetuses in the last trimester of gestation. J Vet Intern Med. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17193

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Medina-Bolívar, Angie Lorena
  • Equine Medicine and Surgery Research Line (LIMCE), CENTAURO Research Group, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Faleiros, Rafael Resende
  • Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Equinova Research Group, Veterinary School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Martínez-Aranzales, José Ramon
  • Equine Medicine and Surgery Research Line (LIMCE), CENTAURO Research Group, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.

Grant Funding

  • CENTAURO Research Group through Equine Medicine and Surgery Research Line (LIMCE)

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