Ahmed R. Elkhawagah , Gian Guido Donato , Mariagrazia Poletto , Nicola A. Martino , Leila Vincenti , Laura Conti , Denis Necchi , Tiziana Nervo
{"title":"Effect of Mitoquinone on sperm quality of cryopreserved stallion semen","authors":"Ahmed R. Elkhawagah , Gian Guido Donato , Mariagrazia Poletto , Nicola A. Martino , Leila Vincenti , Laura Conti , Denis Necchi , Tiziana Nervo","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aimed to investigate the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (Mitoquinone, MitoQ) on the quality of frozen-thawed stallion semen. Semen samples collected from three fertile stallions aged 10 - 13 years, were filtered, centrifuged in a skimmed milk-based extender, and diluted to a final concentration of 50 × 106 sperm/mL in freezing medium. Diluted semen was divided into five experimental groups supplemented with MitoQ at concentrations of 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, and 200 nM and then subjected to freezing after cooling and equilibration. After thawing, semen was evaluated for motility and kinetics at different time points. Sperm viability, plasma membrane, acrosome, DNA integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations were evaluated. The results revealed that MitoQ at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 nM improved (P< 0.01) the total sperm motility after 30 minutes of incubation. In addition, 25 nM MitoQ improved the sperm amplitude of lateral head displacement values (P< 0.01) after 30 minutes of incubation. Conversely, negative effects on sperm motility, kinetics, and viability were observed with the highest tested concentration of MitoQ (200 nM). The various concentrations of MitoQ did not affect the plasma membrane, acrosome, and DNA integrity, or the mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular ROS concentrations. In conclusion, supplementation of MitoQ during cryopreservation, had a mild positive effect on sperm motility and kinetics especially at a concentration of 25 nM, while the highest concentration (200nM) has a detrimental effect on motility and viability parameters of frozen-thawed stallion sperm.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105168"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141995839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Pasch , D. Stefanovski , T. Dobbie , G. Lewis , R.M. Turner
{"title":"Factors affecting pregnancy rates in mares bred with cryopreserved semen","authors":"L. Pasch , D. Stefanovski , T. Dobbie , G. Lewis , R.M. Turner","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Historically, 8 × 0.5 ml straws, containing approximately 800 million sperm and 250 million progressively motile sperm were provided as a single ‘breeding dose’ of cryopreserved stallion semen. With the use of deep horn artificial insemination, there is a trend to reduce the number of 0.5 ml straws sold as a breeding dose, sometimes down to as little as one straw. Our aims were to determine if the number of straws provided as a breeding dose, as well as other mare, stallion and management factors, have an impact on pregnancy outcome in mares inseminated with cryopreserved semen. Unexpectedly, we identified no effect of the number of 0.5 ml straws on pregnancy outcome. We also identified no difference in pregnancy outcome for those mares inseminated once post-ovulation compared to mares inseminated once pre- and once post- ovulation. Additionally, for mares inseminated once post-ovulation, we identified no benefit of breeding 0-3 hours post-ovulation vs. breeding 0-6 hours post-ovulation. Other factors not associated with pregnancy outcome included: whether an endometrial sample was obtained for bacteriologic culture, whether the endometrial sample produced bacterial growth, whether a mare developed fluid after breeding, whether a mare was treated for bacterial endometritis and/or uterine fluid, and post-thaw progressive sperm motility. These results suggest the existence of an effective industry self-selection process in which only semen from the most fertile stallions is marketed in these ‘ultra-low’ doses and that breeding mares within 3 hours post- ovulation provides no benefit to pregnancy outcome compared to breeding mares within 6 hours post-ovulation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105167"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141995840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of fetal development during mid and late term pregnancies by standard B-Mode ultrasonography in Shetland ponies","authors":"Lisa-Hélène Wagner, Jörg Aurich, Svenja Claaßen, Maria Melchert, Martim Kaps, Christine Aurich","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105162","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105162","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography is an established method to monitor pregnancy, fetal growth and wellbeing in different species. Growth charts with multiple bio-morphometric parameters to estimate days of gestation and days before parturition exist in small companion animals, sheep and goats, riding type horses and large ponies but not in small horse breeds like Shetland ponies. The aim of this study was to apply fetal biometric assessment and detailed description of physiologic fetal development to mid and late term pregnancies in Shetland mares and to generate reference data for clinical practice and for future research. Fetal parameters were collected starting on day 101 of pregnancy in five Shetland mares. The fetal biometric parameters determined consisted of aortic diameter, eye diameter, combined rib and intercostal distance (CRID), stomach length and width and different heart morphology parameters in sagittal and frontal plane. Additionally, fetal activity and organ development in terms of differentiation and changes in echogenicity were recorded. Considering reliably assessable parameters, fetal CRID was the best predictor for gestational age with ± 13.6 days and fetal aortic diameter the most accurate for prediction of days until parturition with ± 16.2 days.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080624001680/pdfft?md5=0698a5f519558eb9776ec24efeed72b9&pid=1-s2.0-S0737080624001680-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariana P. Mazzuchini , Fernando P. Lisboa , Lorenzo G. Segabinazzi , Igor F. Canisso
{"title":"Equine uterine sanitizer: in vitro inhibition of endometritis-causing microorganisms and its stability to dilute antibiotics","authors":"Mariana P. Mazzuchini , Fernando P. Lisboa , Lorenzo G. Segabinazzi , Igor F. Canisso","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Endometritis is the leading cause of mare subfertility. Most mares respond to standard therapy, but alternative therapies have been developed for mares failing to respond. This study aimed to investigate a commercially available, yet unassessed, product labeled as a uterine sanitizer to determine the <em>in vitro</em> antimicrobial activity against microorganisms associated with endometritis and its <em>in vitro</em> stability to dilute antibiotics. In experiment 1, the microdilution broth technique and antimicrobial effects were assessed against <em>Escherichia</em> sp, <em>Staphylococcus</em> sp., <em>Klebsiella</em> sp., <em>Pseudomonas</em> sp., and <em>Candida</em> sp. Percentage inhibition was calculated by comparing the optical density. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 100% was determined using the resazurin dye technique. MIC 50% and 90% were determined using a dose-response non-linear regression. In experiment 2, the uterine sanitizer was used to dilute commonly used antibiotics achieving a final volume of 90 mL at 5°C, 21°C, and 37°C. The pH was measured at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after dilution. The uterine sanitizer had inhibitory properties against all microorganisms; <em>Escherichia</em> sp. being the most susceptible, and <em>Pseudomonas</em> sp. the most resistant. The uterine sanitizer had an acidic pH=4; however, when combined with the antibiotics, the pH of the antibiotic remained unchanged with the different temperatures and did not precipitate. In conclusion, the uterine sanitizer showed antimicrobial effects against endometritis-causing microorganisms. The dilution of antibiotics in the uterine sanitizer was stable and this association could potentiate the antimicrobial effects. Uterine sanitizer's safety and clinical efficacy <em>in vivo</em> remain to be tested.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martin Bachmann , Gerald Fritz Schusser , Monika Wensch-Dorendorf , Caroline Pisch , Mandy Bochnia , Milena Marie Santo , Hanna Netzker , Gerhard Woitow , Jens Thielebein , Stefan Kesting , Gerhard Riehl , Jörg Michael Greef , Karin Heinichen , Annette Zeyner
{"title":"Carbohydrate digestion in the stomach of horses grazed on pasture, fed hay or hay and oats","authors":"Martin Bachmann , Gerald Fritz Schusser , Monika Wensch-Dorendorf , Caroline Pisch , Mandy Bochnia , Milena Marie Santo , Hanna Netzker , Gerhard Woitow , Jens Thielebein , Stefan Kesting , Gerhard Riehl , Jörg Michael Greef , Karin Heinichen , Annette Zeyner","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Concentrations of starch, mono- and disaccharides, fructans, hemicellulose and cellulose were analysed in feed and gastric digesta of horses in relation to acid insoluble ash as a marker indigestible in the stomach. Twenty-four horses were allocated to pasture 24 h/d (PST; <em>n</em> = 4), hay ad libitum (HAY; <em>n</em> = 8), hay ad lib. and oats at 1 g starch/kg body weight (BWT)/meal (OS1; <em>n</em> = 6) and hay ad lib. and oats at 2 g starch/kg BWT/meal (OS2; <em>n</em> = 5). One horse was excluded from the analysis. The horses were fed the ration a minimum of 34 days. Following euthanasia and dissection, digesta was sampled from Pars nonglandularis (PNG) and Pars glandularis (PG). Oat starch concentration in gastric digesta decreased from 309 to 174 g/kg dry matter (DM) in OS1 (44 %-reduction) and from 367 to 261 g/kg DM in OS2 (29 %-reduction) (<em>P</em> < 0.001). Glucose, fructose and sucrose disappeared from gastric digesta distinctly more in PST, HAY and OS1 than in OS2. In PST and HAY, sucrose concentration was completely cleared (<em>P</em> < 0.001). The concentration of fructans was reduced predominantly in PST (84 %-reduction) and HAY (54 %-reduction), mainly in the PNG (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Fructan degradation did not occur in the high-starch diet (OS2). Some evidence for fibre degradation was observed in PST (<em>P</em> < 0.01). Soluble carbohydrates disappear from the stomach dependent on the type of ration, which may lead to changes in the composition of the gastric microbial community and the endogenous response.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080624001588/pdfft?md5=5d4245a0081e013bef108fe69693c8b4&pid=1-s2.0-S0737080624001588-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141792632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C.P. Heaton , C.A. Cavinder , E.N. McClure , T. Smith , W.B. Smith , N. Liburt , A. Krotky , P. Harris
{"title":"Prevalence of insulin dysregulation in the non-obese stock-type horse and relationship with morphometric neck measurements","authors":"C.P. Heaton , C.A. Cavinder , E.N. McClure , T. Smith , W.B. Smith , N. Liburt , A. Krotky , P. Harris","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Insulin dysregulation (ID), core to equine metabolic syndrome, may present without obesity. Testing for ID risk is commonly based on breed and obese phenotype but might be valuable for non-obese stock-type horses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID in non-obese stock-type horses and evaluate if morphometric neck measurements (MNM) correlate with ID. Sixty-two, non-obese (BCS 5, range 2.5-6/9) stock-type horses were assessed for MNM: neck circumference at 25%, 50% (NC50), and 75% (NC75) length, and crest height. An oral sugar test (OST; 0.15 mL/kg BW corn syrup) was performed with blood taken pre- and 60 min post-OST for insulin (PREI, POSTI) and glucose (PREG, POSTG). Insulin dysregulation was defined as insulin concentration > 45 µIU/mL POSTI. Three of 62 horses were ID (4.8%; 95% CI 1.0%-13.5%). Horses with ID had greater PREG (121.0 ± 7.56 vs. 105.3 ± 1.72 mg/dL; LS means ± SEM; P = 0.04) and PREI (15.7 ± 2.63 vs. 10.5 ± 0.59 µIU/mL; P = 0.05) than normal responders. Mares had greater PREI than geldings (11.7 ± 0.76 vs. 9.4 ± 0.89 µIU/mL; P = 0.04). Stepwise regression indicated a weak relationship with crest height and POSTG (y = 51.27 + (0.88 x NC50); R<sup>2</sup> = 0.09; P = 0.02). Post-glucose correlated with NC50 (r = 0.30; P = 0.04) and NC75 (r = 0.29; P = 0.03). This study showed 4.8% of non-obese horses had ID, warranting testing irrespective of phenotype, but only a weak association between MNM and POSTG was found.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105151"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141788227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Multiple congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities in a mule foal: A case report","authors":"Irene Nocera , Chiara Di Franco , Benedetta Sorvillo , Micaela Sgorbini , Rebecca Moroni , Stefano Patroncini , Simonetta Citi","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Musculoskeletal abnormalities in neonate equids represent a common condition, which includes angular limb deformities, defective carpal/tarsal bone ossification, contracted limb and mandibular/maxillary prognathism. The present case report described the presentation and surgical management of multiple musculoskeletal abnormalities in a mule foal. A newborn mule foal was presented for several musculoskeletal abnormalities, such as angular deviation from the sagittal plane of both carpal joints, hind limb ligament laxity, and severe mandibular prognathism. Surgical management of mandibular prognathism was then treated through the application of a tension orthodontic wire. Postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in the correction of mandibular malocclusion and no further correction was needed. Management of other anomalies was mainly conservative, with stall rest and exercise limitations, with a considerable improvement in the first month of life. Thus, jaw malformations might be observed also in mule foals, and might be associated with multiple congenital abnormalities. Early recognition, appropriate management, and surgical treatment were essential.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105149"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141766288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Concentration of Marbofloxacin in equine subcutaneous tissue fluid after subcutaneous administration in encapsulated microparticles","authors":"Hiroshi Mita , Taisuke Kuroda , Yohei Minamijima , Norihisa Tamura , Minoru Ohta","doi":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Surgical-site infections (SSIs) at implant sites in horses are sometimes difficult to control with systemic antimicrobials. Because one of the likely reasons is insufficient antimicrobial concentrations, there is a need to increase these concentrations in and around the infected tissue. Marbofloxacin (MAR)-encapsulated microparticles (MAR-MPs) made of biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid are capable of sustained release in vitro. We examined the concentration of MAR in the subcutaneous tissue fluid at sites where MAR-MPs had been administered. On day 0, six 3- × 4-cm subcutaneous pockets were created in the neck of each of six Thoroughbred horses under sedation and local anesthesia. MAR-MPs containing 50 mg of MAR were added to each pocket, which was then sutured. On days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, subcutaneous tissue fluid from one pocket per horse was collected and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. From days 1 to 7, the median MAR concentration in the subcutaneous tissue fluid ranged from 17.7 (4.89–125.6) to 33.05 (15.1–71.6) µg/mL. The median concentrations in the subcutaneous tissue fluid exceeded the MIC<sub>90</sub> (the minimum inhibitory concentration that would inhibit the growth of 90 % of the tested bacterial isolates) of MAR for clinical isolates reported previously. The area of swelling at the site of administration was significantly larger on days 1 to 4 than just after administration (<em>P</em> < 0.05). MAR-MPs could be useful for controlling SSIs that require high antimicrobial concentrations for extended periods when they are used with strategies that reduce side effects.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":15798,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Equine Veterinary Science","volume":"141 ","pages":"Article 105148"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080624001540/pdfft?md5=f9758069effe85def5e4a81b3a523249&pid=1-s2.0-S0737080624001540-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141633680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}