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Genome-wide analysis of population structure, effective population size and inbreeding in Iranian and exotic horses. Population structure and genetic diversity are the key parameters to study the breeding history of animals. This research aimed to provide a characterization of the population structure and to compare the effective population size (Ne), LD decay, genetic diversity, and genomic inbreeding in Iranian native Caspian (n = 38), Turkmen (n = 24) and Kurdish (n = 29) breeds and some other exotic horses consisting of Arabian (n = 24), Fell pony (n = 21) and Akhal-Teke (n = 20). A variety of statistical population analysis techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis of...
A cross-sectional study on performance evaluation in Italian standardbred horses’ real-time PCR-positive for Theileria equi. Inflammatory myopathy and perivasculitis have been recently described in horses with chronic equine piroplasmosis (EP). These alterations may be linked to poor performances. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence for EP in clinically healthy Italian Standardbred (IS) racehorses and to compare laboratory parameters and performance metrics between positive and negative horses. Real-time PCR was applied for the detection of T. equi and B. caballi positivity. Haematology parameters, blood chemistry results, subjective muscle mass scores, and performance metrics were compared betwee...
Equine Asthma Does Not Affect Circulating Myostatin Concentrations in Horses. (1) Background: The number of horses suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, resembling human asthma, is increasing but there is still a lack of reliable and accurate methods to detect these disorders. Numerous studies have found elevated plasma concentrations of one of the myokines, namely, myostatin (MSTN), in people suffering from severe asthma. MSTN normally inhibits myoblast proliferation and differentiation through autocrine or paracrine signals. Therefore, given the pathogenesis of asthma, we hypothesize that MSTN could be a useful biomarker of equine asthma. Thus, this study aimed...
The impact of skin preparation method on electrocardiogram quality in horses. Several skin preparation techniques are used in electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring of horses. The objective of this study was to determine which methods produce the greatest signal quality using textile electrodes and standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes. Electrocardiogram data were collected using textile and Ag/AgCl electrodes simultaneously for 4 skin preparation techniques in 6 horses. The effects of skin preparation (cleansing with isopropyl alcohol, with or without shaving the hair) and the effects of the application of a conductive gel were assessed using metrics of sign...
Metastatic cutaneous myxosarcoma in an adult horse. A 25-year-old mixed-breed equine with separate nodular cutaneous lesions in the right thoracic limb (RTL) and right ventral abdominal region was admitted to a Veterinary Hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed on the RTL lesion and superficial cervical lymph node, and the results were suggestive of a malignant neoplasm known as myxosarcoma. Due to the unfavorable prognosis, the animal was euthanized. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic findings, the diagnosis of metastatic cutaneous myxosarcoma was confirmed. Although rare, this tumor should...
Short Road Transport and Slaughter Stress Affects the Expression Profile of Serotonin Receptors, Adrenocortical, and Hematochemical Responses in Horses. Horse transport is considered a cause of stress in animals and is known to affect the 5-HT concentrations in both the brain and other tissues. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of horse transportation and slaughter stress on plasma serotonin's concentration and the expression levels of the related 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A receptors in PBMCs. Furthermore, the IL-12 levels and a variety of blood parameters, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, were also considered. This research was carried o...
Endometrial expression of antimicrobial peptides as markers of subclinical endometritis in mares. Endometritis is a major cause of subfertility in mares. Multiparous old mares are more susceptible to developing endometritis given that ageing is associated with an altered immune response and with inadequate physiological uterine clearance after breeding, which can lead to degenerative changes in the endometrium. Molecules such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as endometritis markers in the equine species. Methods: Cross-sectional. Objective: To investigate the endometrial expression of defensin-beta 4B (DEFB4B), lysozyme (LYZ) and secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (...
Forced Handling Decreases Emotionality but Does Not Improve Young Horses’ Responses toward Humans and their Adaptability to Stress. Horses are often still exposed to stressful or inadequate conditions and difficult relationships with humans, despite growing concerns about animal welfare. In the present study, we investigated the impact of different approaches of short-term handling sessions on young Lusitanian horses raised on a high-breed farm, specifically on their later adaptability to humans and stressful environments. Thirty-one foals (3 months old ± 15 days), from both sexes, were separated into three groups, one submitted to 3 consecutive days of handling sessions (Int-H), another to one handling session each month...
Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of equine herpesvirus type-1/-4 in selected districts of Northwest Amhara, Ethiopia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, determine the distribution, and identify the epidemiological risk factors of EHV-1/-4 infections in selected districts of Northwest Amhara Region. 460 serum samples were collected from equines using multistage cluster sampling technique, and a competitive Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was performed. Various risk factors for the occurrence of EHV-1/-4 were considered. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3.1. 65.9% (303) equids were tested positive for antibodies against EHV-1/-4. Based on district, the highest prevalence...
Dystocia frequency and causes in horses with pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia: A prospective study. Dystocia typically presents a life-threatening condition for both the mare and the foal. This prospective long-term study aimed to ascertain whether mares with prior pregnancy disorders or a history of dystocia were at a higher risk of experiencing subsequent dystocia in comparison to those without such medical antecedents. To achieve this goal, the authors analysed 207 parturitions and 164 mares over a 10-year period. Of these, 57 were associated with pregnancy disorders or prior dystocia (Group 1), while 150 parturitions followed uneventful pregnancies in mares that had not yet experienced d...
Equine Piroplasmosis in Asymptomatic Horses of Western Iran: Comparison of Microscopic Examination and Multiplex PCR. Piroplasmosis is responsible for anemia, fever, loss of physical activity and even death in equines. In epidemiological studies, accurate diagnostic tests are essential for detecting asymptomatic carriers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection in asymptomatic horses from Lorestan province, western Iran by developing a multiplex PCR. Results: Blood samples were examined by microscopy and multiplex PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Out of the total of 165 horses, 19 (11.51%) and 31 (18.78%) cases were positive for piroplasms by microscop...
A field approach to observing changes in behavioural welfare indicators over 2 years in stabled horses. In stabled horses, several behaviours are considered to be important indicators of the state of welfare at the individual level: stereotypies, aggressive behaviours towards humans and the "withdrawn", alert, sternal, lateral and observation postures. Until now, these behaviours have been extensively studied in relation to different horse management practices. However, little is known about their changes or consistency over time. This study aimed to investigate differences in the expression of these behaviours assessed on 44 stabled horses during an initial 3-month period and then again on the ...
Immunoproteomics enable broad identification of new Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in severe equine asthma. Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a common chronic disease of adult horses with characteristic recurrent airway obstruction and similarities to neutrophilic asthma in humans. As an extrinsic stimulus, hay dust exposure is a major risk factor and induces acute exacerbation in susceptible horses. However, single inducing agents of SEA have hardly been identified on a molecular basis. () is a common mold species in hay and has been described as a major provoking agent of SEA. Unassigned: Aiming to identify disease-relevant antigens, we analyzed using an immunoproteomics approach on two-dimensional ...
THEILERIA EQUI INFECTION IN WORKING HORSES OF PAKISTAN: EPIDEMIOLOGY, MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION, AND HEMATOBIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS. Theileria equi is 1 of the emerging and prevailing tick-borne hemoprotozoans adversely affecting the equids worldwide, including Pakistan. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characterization of T. equi in working horses (n = 194), the comparative efficacy of different diagnostic tests, associated risk factors, and hematobiochemical analysis. The blood samples of horses were subjected to microscopic examination, cELISA, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the results revealed a prevalence of 9.79, 21.13, and 13.40%, respectively, for T. equi in working horse...
Effect of β-alanine on the athletic performance and blood amino acid metabolism of speed-racing Yili horses. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of supplemental β-alanine feeding on the athletic performance of Yili horses involved in speed racing, focusing on alterations in plasma free amino acid patterns pre and post exercise. Additionally, the research aimed to evaluate the effects of carnosine on the plasma acid-base buffering capacity and antioxidant levels in these horses. Twelve Yili horse stallions, averaging 3 years in age and 346.50 ± 21.39 kg in weight, were chosen and randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a test group, each comprising six horses...
The genome of Przewalski’s horse ( Equus ferus przewalskii ). The Przewalski's horse ( ) is an endangered equid native to the steppes of central Asia. After becoming extinct in the wild, multiple conservation efforts convened to preserve the species including captive breeding programs, reintroduction and monitoring systems, protected lands, and cloning. Availability of a highly contiguous reference genome is essential to support these continued efforts. We used Oxford Nanopore sequencing to produce a scaffold-level 2.5 Gb nuclear assembly and 16,002 bp mitogenome from a captive Przewalski's mare. All assembly drafts were generated from 111 Gb of sequenc...
Review of skin grafting in equine wounds: indications and techniques. Skin grafting is a simple technique that can be performed by equine practitioners to improve cosmetic outcomes in wounds with large skin defects that would not heal functionally or cosmetically with standard wound therapy interventions. Successful skin grafting is not difficult but relies upon appropriate preparation of the wound bed and effective immobilisation of the grafted area after skin graft placement. Prior to grafting, the wound bed should be treated with a moist wound healing dressing to prepare the granulation tissue bed to receive the graft. For best results, skin grafts should be ...
The Effect of Repeated Blood Harvesting from Pregnant Mares on Haematological Variables. Studies have been carried out on the effect of large-volume blood harvesting from horses, but they were performed on nonpregnant horses of various breeds other than Icelandic horses. This study aimed to investigate the effect on the haematological variables indicating erythropoiesis of repeated blood harvesting from pregnant mares. To account for regional variation, two herds of mares were chosen, both kept under free-range conditions. Sequential EDTA blood samples were collected weekly from 160 mares and analysed for haematological variables in an automated analyser. Serum samples from 115 ma...
Current Understanding of Equine Gut Dysbiosis and Microbiota Manipulation Techniques: Comparison with Current Knowledge in Other Species. Understanding the importance of intestinal microbiota in horses and the factors influencing its composition have been the focus of many studies over the past few years. Factors such as age, diet, antibiotic administration, and geographic location can affect the gut microbiota. The intra- and inter-individual variability of fecal microbiota in horses complicates its interpretation and has hindered the establishment of a clear definition for dysbiosis. Although a definitive causal relationship between gut dysbiosis in horses and diseases has not been clearly identified, recent research suggests ...
Exposure to chemical pollutants and biological aerosol in indoor facilities for recreational and sport horses. Due to the increasing prevalence of equine non-infectious respiratory disease, the air contamination in equine housing (Stables A-C) and training facilities (indoor riding arenas A - C) was investigated. The aim of the study was to monitor gaseous pollutants, bioaerosols, and dust concentrations at three different sites (stables and riding halls), where different floor materials were used in the riding halls. Methods: Air quality was monitored in housing for horses and in riding halls in terms of dust concentration, the presence of gaseous chemical pollutants, and concentrations of biological ...
Changes in Fecal Microbiota During Estrous Cycle in Healthy Thoroughbred Mares. Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including the regulation of the reproductive system and steroid sex hormones. Throughout the normal estrous cycle of healthy mares, the levels of estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) in the blood exhibit periodic changes. To investigate the relationship between cyclic changes in steroid sex hormones and the gut microbiome of mares, we analyzed the fecal microbiota composition in healthy mares during the typical estrous cycle. Blood and fecal samples from five healthy mares were collected, E2 and P4 levels in serum wer...
Characterization of extracellular trap production and release by equine neutrophils in response to different stimuli. This study explores Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) formation in equine neutrophils, which is crucial for eliminating infections and is implicated in various equine inflammatory diseases. We investigated the molecular pathways involved in NET release by equine neutrophils in response to stimuli. We use PMA, A23187, LPS, PAF, OZ, and cytokines, observing NET release in response to PMA, PAF, and A23187. In contrast, LPS, OZ, and the cytokines tested did not induce DNA release or did not consistently induce citrullination of histone 4. Peptidyl-arginine deiminase inhibition completely halted ...
Automated Spectrophotometric Assays for the Measurement of Ammonia and Bicarbonate in Saliva of Horses: Analytical Validation and Changes in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). Ammonia (NH3) and bicarbonate (HCO3) have been related to gastric ulcers in humans. Ammonia is considered a possible cause of gastric ulcers, whereas bicarbonate has a protective function. The presence of ulcers in the stomach of horses is defined as Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), which is a frequent disease in this species, and it has been associated with changes in saliva composition, such as in analytes related to inflammation, immune system and oxidative stress. The objectives of this study were (1) to perform an analytical validation of two automated spectrophotometric assays, one ...
Equine Models of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Review of Feasibility, Biomarkers, and Molecular Signaling. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occurs spontaneously in humans and various animal species, including horses. In humans, obtaining tissue samples is challenging and clinical symptoms appear late in the disease progression. Therefore, genetically modified, induced, and naturally occurring animal models play a crucial role in understanding the pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions for TMJ OA. Among the naturally occurring models, the equine TMJ OA model is characterized by slow, age-related progression, a wide range of clinical examinations, and ...
Evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from donkeys using four different cytological stains: a pilot study. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology is used for the diagnosis of non-infectious lower airway inflammation in equids. Discrepancies have been reported in the differential cell count when different staining methods were used both in humans and horses. The objective of this study was to compare the results of BALF cytology in donkeys using four different staining methods: modified May-Grunwald Giemsa (mMGG), Diff-Quick (DQ), Toluidine blue (TB) and Perls Prussian blue (PPB). Nine healthy Amiata female donkeys were enrolled. The BAL procedure was performed as previously described and pair...
Characterizing the relationship between gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), kisspeptin, and RFamide related peptide 3 (RFRP-3) neurons in the equine hypothalamus across the estrous cycle and in the anovulatory seasons. To understand better the role that kisspeptin plays in regulating seasonal and estrous cycle changes in the mare, this study investigated the number, location and interactions between GnRH, kisspeptin and RFRP-3 neurons in the equine hypothalamus. Hypothalami were collected from mares during the non-breeding season, vernal transition and various stages of the breeding season. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry was used to label the neuropeptides of interest. GnRH cells were observed primarily in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), while very few labeled cells were identified in the pre-optic area (POA). ...
Comparison of plasma l-lactate between jugular and cephalic veins in healthy and systemically ill horses using a point-of-care device. To compare plasma l-lactate (LAC) values between samples collected from jugular and cephalic venipuncture in healthy horses and systemically ill horses. Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: Large animal university teaching hospital. Methods: Thirty healthy adult university-owned horses and 43 client-owned horses presenting to the large animal hospital for elective surgical procedures or for emergent medical evaluation of systemic illness. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein (JV) and cephalic vein (CV) and placed in EDTA blood tubes prior to any medical the...
Identification of neuropathogenic Varicellovirus equidalpha1 as a potential cause of respiratory disease outbreaks among horses in North Xinjiang, China, from 2021-2023. Varicellovirus equidalpha1 (formerly Equid alphaherpesvirus 1, EqAHV-1) is among the most important viruses responsible for respiratory disease outbreaks among horses throughout the world. No reports to date have detailed the association between EqAHV-1 and respiratory disease among horses in China. This study described one such outbreak among a population of horses in north Xinjiang that occurred from April 2021 - May 2023. Results: qPCR revealed that EqAHV-1 was detectable in all samples and this virus was identified as a possible source of respiratory disease, although a limited subset of t...
Cytokine mRNA expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses affected by different equine asthma subtypes. Equine asthma (EA) is a respiratory syndrome associated with the increase of different leukocyte populations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Its pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the mRNA expression of different cytokines in the BALF, different EA subtypes and lung function. Fifteen horses underwent physical examination, airway endoscopy, BALF cytology and lung function testing (8/15). One horse did not have evidence of EA and was used as healthy reference, while the others were classified as affected by neutrophilic or mi...
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