Myo-Inositol Nano-Emulsion for Enhancing Stallion Chilled Semen: Insights from In Vivo and In Silico Analyses of Sperm Quality, Oxidative Stress, Ultrastructure, Mitochondrial Response, and Semen Bacteriology. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to male infertility. Therefore, fortifying assisted reproductive technology with nanotechnology could enhance sperm preservation. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of myo-inositol nano-emulsion (MINE) supplementation in semen extender on sperm quality, redox balance, semen bacteriology, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and acrosome status of chilled stallion semen. Methods: Semen samples were collected and preserved with 0 (MINE0), 1 (MINE1), and 2 (MINE2) mg of MINE/mL of extender. Results: Results revealed that extender fortified with 1 or 2 ...
The petrosal and bony labyrinth of extinct horses (Perissodactyla, Equidae) and their implications for perissodactyl evolution. Perissodactyla, or odd-toed ungulates, are represented today by 16 species of rhinoceroses, tapirs, and horses. Perissodactyls were much more diverse in the past, having a rich fossil record spanning from the earliest Eocene (~56 Ma) to recent, including a myriad of extinct lineages. Despite over a century of study, the inter-relationships of some extinct perissodactyl families remain poorly resolved. New morphological characters are needed to help solve this issue. Recent studies suggest that the ear region, ., the petrosal and the bony labyrinth of the inner ear, is a valuable source of morp...
Detection of vasculogenic mimicry in equine ocular, oronasal, and genital squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant tumor disease in horses. It predominantly affects the ocular, oronasal, and anogenital region. Equine SCC is difficult to treat, also because important aspects of SCC development and metastasis are still unclear. We previously provided evidence that equine SCC cells can adopt a stem cell-like phenotype as a hallmark of malignant progression. Here, we investigated whether equine SCCs harbor endothelial-like tumor cells that form an alternative network of pseudo-vessels better known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Following histopathologic...
Effects of Social Interactions and Foundational Training on Behavior, Temperament, and Hormone Levels in Weanling Horses. Horses are social animals, with early life experiences playing a crucial role in their physiological and behavioral development. This study explored the influence of herd dynamics and foundational training on behavioral and hormonal changes in weaned foals. We examined 13 six-month-old Quarter Horse foals over a three-month training period, performing behavioral observations, temperament assessments, and hormone analyses at the start, midpoint, and end of the training. The results indicated that affiliative behaviors decreased significantly, while agonistic behaviors first increased and then d...
Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of ultrasonographic intestinal wall thickness measurements in healthy horses. Abdominal ultrasound is widely used to evaluate the intestinal tract of horses. Despite being a routine examination, there is limited data on the reliability of this diagnostic procedure. Objective: To investigate intra- and inter-rater reliability of ultrasonographic intestinal wall thickness measurements in healthy horses. A second aim was to assess variance within repeated measurements to determine threshold values that distinguish whether differences between repeated examinations are true findings versus solely due to measurement variation. Methods: In vivo reliability study. Methods: Eigh...
Transcriptome Sequencing and Differential Analysis of Testes of 1-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Kazakh Horses. The Kazakh horse is an outstanding dual-purpose dairy and meat breed in China, characterized by early maturity, tolerance to coarse feed, and strong stress resistance. Previous studies have examined gene expression patterns in the testicular tissues of Kazakh horses at different age stages, but the molecular mechanisms regulating testicular sexual maturation remain unclear. To address this gap, this study conducted HE staining and in-depth transcriptome sequencing analysis of Kazakh horse testicular tissue before and after sexual maturity. HE staining showed that the G3 group had well-formed s...
Exosome and miRNA Content Engagement in the Physical Exercise Response: What Is Known to Date in Atheltic Horses? To date, there is extensive scientific evidence affirming that physical exercise plays a fundamental role in both the prevention and treatment of various pathological conditions in humans as well as in animals. It is understood that the advantages of movement and exercise have a multifactorial origin and they depend on a category of bioactive molecules vehicolated by extracellular microvesicles known as exosomes. The exosomes act as potential delivery systems for messages within the organism. These findings have drawn significant attention, leading researchers to further investigate the role o...
Histomorphometric Analysis of the Endometrium of Jennies (Equus asinus) and Mares (Equus caballus) in Estrus: Anatomical Differences and Possible Reproductive Implications. Assisted reproductive techniques are often extrapolated from horses to donkeys, despite poorer fertility outcomes in jennies. This issue has been attributed to unknown uterine species-specific differences. This study compared, through histomorphometry, the endometrium of jennies and mares. Endometrial biopsies (N = 12) were taken from reproductively sound jennies (n = 6) and mares (n = 6) in estrus. Histomorphometric analysis evaluated luminal (LE, µm) and glandular epithelium height (GE, µm), glandular lumen diameter (LD, µm), glandular area (GA, µm), the number of glands (#G), and glandu...
Equine fetal-sex determination from mid-gestation to term using serum conjugated steroid profiling by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Refined profiling of conjugated estrogens and androgens during equine pregnancy using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) could provide accurate fetal-sex determination. Current methods for fetal-sex prediction remain limited by timing, accuracy, and operator expertise. This study investigated sex-specific differences in maternal conjugated steroid profiles to develop a reliable, non-invasive predictive method. Samples were collected from 141 mares of various breeds starting at sixteen weeks of pregnancy. The samples were pooled according to gestational stage, divided int...
Urine sediment characterisation in physically healthy adult jennies (Equus asinus). A cross-sectional study. Urinalysis is a valuable, non-invasive method for evaluating renal function, yet data on donkey urinary parameters remain scarce. This study characterised urinary sediment in fifty-four healthy adult jennies, established urine specific gravity (USG) reference intervals, and proposed a preliminary semi-quantitative sediment grading scale. Urine samples were collected via catheterisation and analysed using refractometry, dipstick testing, and microscopy. The median USG was 1.048 (IQR: 1.040-1.055) with a pH of 7.6 (IQR: 7.2-8.0). Leukocytes and glucose were absent; erythrocytes were found in one...
Primary photosensitization in horses associated with ingestion of Malachra fasciata Jacq. (Malvaceae) in the Northeast of Brazil. Malachra fasciata Jacq. (Malvaceae) is an invasive plant widely found in Northeastern Brazil and has been experimentally demonstrated to cause severe dermatitis in sheep. However, its toxic effects in horses have not previously been documented. This report describes primary photosensitization in four Quarter Horses grazing on a pasture heavily infested with M. fasciata in Paraíba, Brazil. Affected animals developed alopecic, erythematous, crusted, and ulcerated lesions on sun-exposed areas, accompanied by severe pruritus and behavioral signs of distress. Histopathology revealed epidermal ulce...
A pilot study to investigate the effect of insemination on secretory cell activity post-ovulation in the isthmus of the equine oviduct. There is little information on non-ciliated secretory cell numbers in the equine oviduct isthmus over the course of the estrous cycle and the effect, if any, of insemination. Lectin histochemistry was used on a series of 13 oviducts taken at different stages of the estrous cycle, with and without insemination, to monitor glycosylation changes and the distribution of secretory cells characterised by a prominent cytoplasmic accumulation of glycoconjugates. There appeared to be an increase in secretory cells expressing a wide range of glycans in all specimens at estrus. One day after ovulation, o...
Characterizing mixed strongyle infections in foals and broodmares using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I deep amplicon sequencing. Mixed strongyle infections represent the most prevalent equine parasitosis and can result in life-threatening disease, especially in young horses. Species involvement and pathogenesis of this parasitosis are poorly understood, and data on foals and broodmares are notably lacking. Methods: In a longitudinal study undertaken in 2022 in Germany, individual faecal samples (n = 497) and metadata were collected for naturally infected foals and broodmares (n = 48) kept under conventional husbandry conditions. Nematode infections were detected coproscopically via the Mini-FLOTAC method. In a s...
Natural progression of tarsal osteochondrosis in Standardbred pacers and trotters. To determine the natural progression of tarsal osteochondrosis (OC) in a cohort of Standardbred foals and assess the impact of gait preference (trotting vs. pacing). Methods: Longitudinal observational cohort study. Methods: Client-owned Standardbred foals (n = 148). Methods: Tarsal radiographs were taken every 2 months from 2 to 12 months of age and foals were video monitored to document time spent pacing or trotting. Differences between groups were assessed using χ analysis. Survival analysis was used to determine if lesion healing differed between groups over time. Results: Of 148 ...
Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome Analysis of a Horse with Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fracture Complicated by Flexor Tendinitis. With the growing popularity of equestrian sports, the incidence of athletic injuries in horses has also risen. Among these injuries, proximal sesamoid bone fracture (PSBF) and flexor tendinitis are particularly common in the forelimbs of sport horses and represent major causes of musculoskeletal impairment. A 5-year-old horse presented with obvious symptoms such as swelling at the left fetlock joint and metacarpal region after exercise. Through lameness assessment, diagnostic imaging, and hematological testing, the horse was diagnosed with PSBF complicated by flexor tendinitis. The affected ho...
Weekly riding frequency has a greater impact than rider skill level on western riders’ identification of stirrup asymmetry. Asymmetry of stirrups and rider experience level has shown to impact rider symmetry and position. Objective: This study aims to determine if novice and advanced riders can detect stirrup asymmetry in the same frequency, hypothesizing that advanced riders would detect asymmetry in a greater frequency. Methods: Ten stock-type horses and 10 (5 advanced, 5 novice) riders, paired together to test random stirrup treatments. Riders were assigned to a horse for 2 rides, one with asymmetric stirrups, the other with symmetric stirrups, but blinded to their treatments. At the end of both rides, they took...
The horse gut microbiota genome represents a vast novel reservoir of CAZymes. Herbivores represent crucial subjects for mining highly efficient carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) from gut microbiomes. Here, we analyzed 12,763 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the horse gut, revealing that its microbial community as a rich reservoir of CAZymes diversity, with 5,204,848 glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and 4,596,191 glycosyl transferases (GTs) identified. Our findings demonstrate that Bacteroidota (5,479,287 CAZymes) and Bacillota_A (2,987,684 CAZymes) serve as the primary functional phyla for plant polysaccharide degradation. A total of 17,250 polysaccharide utilizat...
Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in foals: A case series (1986 to 2024). Listeriosis is caused by , a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, intracellular rod bacterium that can infect a wide variety of species. Listeriosis occurs in a diverse range of domestic and wild animals but is most commonly a disease of ruminants. Clinical signs include meningoencephalitis, typhlocolitis, septic arthritis, and abortions. Listeriosis in horses has been reported in several countries but is an uncommon diagnosis. This report describes clinical, bacteriological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in 6 foals with neonatal septicemia from which was isolated. Key ...
Molecular prevalence of equine alphaherpesvirus-1 shedding in healthy broodmares in Ontario. Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is ubiquitous in the horse population, but prevalence estimates have ranged from 3 to 88% depending on the population and method of sampling. No prevalence studies have been carried out in Ontario, Canada. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of EHV-1 shedding in healthy broodmares in Ontario. A total of 381 mares from 42 farms in Ontario were sampled, including pregnant and barren broodmares. Samples were collected from the nose, vagina, and blood of each mare up to 6 times from December 2016 through October 2017 using a cross-sectional study ...
Whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity in Standardbred broodmares supplemented with vitamin E and selenium. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of either oral supplementation of sodium selenite and alpha-tocopherol or intramuscular administration of a commercial preparation of selenium (Se) and vitamin E to Standardbred broodmares with low (21.0 ± 18.1 IU/g Hb) whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Ten mares received 3 weekly intramuscular (IM) doses, whereas 9 mares were orally supplemented daily for 10 wk. Blood samples were collected jugular venipuncture and the whole blood GPx activity was measured at each sampling time for the 32-week period. Both oral and int...
Long-term assessment of nephrosplenic space closure in horses. Long-term assessment of nephrosplenic space (NSS) closure and comparisons with ultrasonography and rectal palpation are lacking. The objective was to evaluate NSS closure in 12 research horses 5 y following laparoscopic ablation, using a novel adhesion scoring system, and to assess whether rectal examination and ultrasonographic findings could predict adhesion adequacy. The NSS was examined rectal palpation and ultrasonography prior to surgery, and at 30 d and 5 y after surgery. Ultrasonographic measurements of the distances between the renal fascia and spleen were recorded. The NSS adhesions...
Femoral nerve neuropathy of an endurance horse as a sequela of iliopsoas muscle myopathy diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography. Femoral nerve neuropathy causes lameness, a condition clinically characterized by stifle's lack of extension with subsequent diminished lower limb function. This case report describes the ultrasonographic diagnosis of femoral neuropathy secondary to compression caused by myopathy of the iliopsoas muscle of an endurance horse during a competition. Transrectal ultrasonography played a pivotal role in diagnosis of the injury by assessment of the involved structures and monitoring of the healing process throughout the recovery period. The horse achieved complete recovery and successfully returned ...
Addition of cholesterol linked to cyclodextrin in processing of cryopreserved equine spermatozoa and addition of motility stimulants post-thaw. This study investigated the effects of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) before cryopreservation and the use of FertTalp (FT) after thawing on the structural and functional quality of equine spermatozoa. Methods: Two ejaculates from twelve stallions were divided into four groups: G1 (0 mg CLC), G2 (1.0 mg), G3 (1.5 mg), and G4 (2.0 mg). Post-thaw semen quality was evaluated through computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. Results: In Experiment I, supplementation with 1.5 mg (G3) significantly improved total motility (64.9 ± 10.1 %) and progressive motility (40.5 ± 8.8 %) com...
Clostridioides difficile in equidae necropsied in Northwestern France, between 2019 and 2021. an anaerobic, spore-forming enteropathogen, is less studied in animals than in humans despite its importance in One Health. We evaluated occurrence, diversity, circulation, and virulence in French Equidae ( = 100) after their necropsy in northwestern France, from 2019 to 2021. We systematically recovered all cecal contents and any watery intestinal contents. We isolated strains, determined their toxin gene profile by PCR, and established their PCR-ribotype according to the WEBRIBO database. We also performed free toxin detection. Twenty-seven Equidae were positive for and 20 had a toxigeni...
A study on the prevalence of cyathostomin and Anoplocephala perfoliata infections in Italian horses: diagnostic testing and analysis of factors affecting infection risk. Cyathostomins and Anoplocephala perfoliata infect equids worldwide and both are of concern due to their potential to cause clinical disease. Although coprological techniques are commonly used for assessing helminth egg shedding these do not provide information about an individual's total parasite burden. Antibody-based tests provide information on infection levels within individuals. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate cyathostomin and Anoplocephala perfoliata occurrence in Italian horses using coprological and serum-based antibody detection methods and to analyse risk factors for infectio...
Evaluating the Accuracy of a Vision-Based Algorithm for Groundline Estimation in Trotting Horses Using Multiple Camera Angles. Equine lameness diagnosis largely relies on subjective visual assessments, which can be biased. Although marker-based methods, force plates and inertial measurement units (IMUs) provide objective measurements, they require specialized setups. Vision-based algorithms offer a portable, markerless alternative, but their accuracy needs thorough testing. Objective: To evaluate a custom vision-based algorithm for estimating the groundline across multiple camera angles, including handheld use in horses trotting on a treadmill. Methods: Experimental comparative study. Methods: Eight Standardbred trott...
Group and Individual Changes in Spinal Mobility During a 12-Week Rehabilitation Program Including Swimming in Horses with Axial Musculoskeletal Lesions. Locomotor disorders involving the spine are a major cause of impaired performance and early retirement in sport horses. Swimming is increasingly incorporated into rehabilitation protocols, but its effects on spinal biomechanics remain poorly understood. This prospective study evaluated changes in thoracolumbar mobility in sixteen sport horses diagnosed with cervical or thoracolumbar axial musculoskeletal lesions over a 12-week rehabilitation program comprising 4 weeks of land-based training followed by 8 weeks during which swimming sessions were incorporated three times per week. Weekly measur...
The use of hay nets and slow feeders as feeding methods in horse management: A semi-systematic review. Hay nets and slow feeders are designed to mimic natural grazing by prolonging forage intake, thereby supporting digestive health and reducing stress-related behaviours. Their design and use, however, can influence effectiveness and may introduce risks. Objective: This semi-systematic review evaluated the use of hay nets and slow feeders in feeding horses, focusing on their impact on feeding time, behaviour, forage management and health management. Methods: A semi-systematic search across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus identified 26 full-text studies published between 2009 an...
Serum cortisol concentrations in newborn foals are increased by transfusion with anti-rhodococcal hyperimmune plasma and inversely associated with immunoglobulin activity. Transfusion of Rhodococcus equi hyperimmune plasma (REHIP) to neonatal foals is done to reduce the incidence of rhodococcal pneumonia. Objective: To determine effects in newborn foals of REHIP transfusion on serum cortisol concentrations; the association of serum cortisol concentrations with serum globulin concentration and anti-rhodococcal immunoglobulin activity; and cumulative incidence of rhodococcal pneumonia. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 356 newborn foals from 13 New York farms immediately before and after transfusion of 1 L or 2 L of REHIP. Serum samples were assayed for c...
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