The effect of ambient temperature on infrared thermographic images of joints in the distal forelimbs of healthy racehorses.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to describe the dependence on ambient temperature of distal joint temperature at the forelimbs of racehorses. The study also investigated the influence of differing ambient temperatures on the temperature difference between joints: this was measured ipsilaterally (i.e. between the carpal and fetlock joints along each forelimb) and contralaterally (i.e. between the same joints of the left and right forelimbs). Sixty-four healthy racehorses were monitored over 10 months. At each session, three thermographic images were taken of the dorsal, lateral and medial aspects of the distal forelimbs. Temperature measurements were made from regions of interest (ROIs) covering the carpal and fetlock joints. There was a strong correlation between ambient temperature and absolute joint temperature at all ROIs. The study also observed a moderate correlation between ambient temperature and the ipsilateral temperature differences between joints when measured from the medial and lateral aspects. No significant correlation was noted when measured dorsally. The mean contralateral temperature differences between joints were all close to 0°C. The data support previous reports that the temperature distribution between the forelimbs of the healthy equine is generally symmetric, although some horses differ markedly from the average findings.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-04-02 PubMed ID: 28477911DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.03.018Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper explores how ambient temperature influences the thermographic images of joint temperature in horse’s forelimbs. The study examined both a direct comparison of joint temperatures and the temperature differences between various joints on the same and opposing sides.
Study Subjects and Methodology
- The study involved 64 healthy racehorses monitored over a 10-month period.
- In each session, three thermographic images were taken of the forelimbs focusing on the dorsal (back), lateral (side), and medial (middle) areas of the forelimbs.
- The temperature measurements were taken from specified areas covering the carpal (wrist) and fetlock (ankle) joints, referred to as Regions of Interest (ROIs).
Role of Ambient Temperature
- A strong correlation was found between the ambient temperature and the absolute joint temperature at all ROIs under investigation.
- The researchers observed that changing ambient temperature moderately affected the temperature differences between the joints when measured from the side and middle aspects.
- However, no significant changes were identified when the temperature differences were measured from the back aspect.
Symmetry in Distribution of Joint Temperatures
- The study also looked at the temperature differences between the same joints of the left and right front legs of the horses. The average temperature difference was found to be nearly 0°C, indicating that the joint temperature distribution in horses’ limbs is generally symmetric.
- This observation provides support to previous similar studies.
Individual Variations
- Despite the general findings, the study noted that some horses exhibited markedly different temperatures in their limbs from the average findings, suggesting individual variations among horses.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on important considerations for thermographic imaging in veterinary medicine, particularly in relation to the effect of ambient temperature and the individual variations among horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Soroko M, Howell K, Dudek K.
(2017).
The effect of ambient temperature on infrared thermographic images of joints in the distal forelimbs of healthy racehorses.
J Therm Biol, 66, 63-67.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.03.018 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Horse Breeding and Equestrian Studies, Institute of Animal Breeding, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kozuchowska 5A, 51-161 Wrocław, Poland. Electronic address: kontakt@eqma.pl.
- Microvascular Diagnostics, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK. Electronic address: k.howell@ucl.ac.uk.
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Technology, Lukasiewicza 7/9, 50-231 Wrocław, Poland. Electronic address: krzysztof.dudek@pwr.edu.pl.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Infrared Rays
- Joints / diagnostic imaging
- Temperature
- Thermography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Kang H, Zsoldos RR, Sole-Guitart A, Narayan E, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Gaughan JB. Heat stress in horses: a literature review.. Int J Biometeorol 2023 Jun;67(6):957-973.
- Zielińska P, Soroko M, Godlewska M, Śniegucka K, Dudek K, Howell K. Photothermal Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Area in Clinically Healthy Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 12;12(10).
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- Domino M, Borowska M, Kozłowska N, Trojakowska A, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. Selection of Image Texture Analysis and Color Model in the Advanced Image Processing of Thermal Images of Horses following Exercise.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
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- Domino M, Borowska M, Kozłowska N, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. Advances in Thermal Image Analysis for the Detection of Pregnancy in Horses Using Infrared Thermography.. Sensors (Basel) 2021 Dec 28;22(1).
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- Mota-Rojas D, Pereira AMF, Wang D, Martínez-Burnes J, Ghezzi M, Hernández-Avalos I, Lendez P, Mora-Medina P, Casas A, Olmos-Hernández A, Domínguez A, Bertoni A, Geraldo AM. Clinical Applications and Factors Involved in Validating Thermal Windows Used in Infrared Thermography in Cattle and River Buffalo to Assess Health and Productivity.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
- Maśko M, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Jasiński T, Domino M. Thermal features, ambient temperature and hair coat lengths: Limitations of infrared imaging in pregnant primitive breed mares within a year.. Reprod Domest Anim 2021 Oct;56(10):1315-1328.
- Maśko M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Wierzbicka M, Domino M. Association between the Area of the Highest Flank Temperature and Concentrations of Reproductive Hormones during Pregnancy in Polish Konik Horses-A Preliminary Study.. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 23;11(6).
- Mieszkowska M, Adamiak Z, Holak P, Głodek J, Jastrzębska E, Wolińska K, Mieszkowski M. The Effect of Horse Shoeing with Egg Bar Shoes and Shoes with Wedge Pads on the Results of Thermal Imaging of the Equine Distal Limb.. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 21;11(6).
- Domino M, Romaszewski M, Jasiński T, Maśko M. Comparison of the Surface Thermal Patterns of Horses and Donkeys in Infrared Thermography Images.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 24;10(12).
- Soroko M, Śpitalniak-Bajerska K, Zaborski D, Poźniak B, Dudek K, Janczarek I. Exercise-induced changes in skin temperature and blood parameters in horses.. Arch Anim Breed 2019;62(1):205-213.
- Riccio B, Fraschetto C, Villanueva J, Cantatore F, Bertuglia A. Two Multicenter Surveys on Equine Back-Pain 10 Years a Part.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:195.
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