Search Results (5)

Lipizzan is a famous horse breed dating back to 1580 when the original stud of Lipica was established by the Hasburg Archduke Charles II. Currently, the Italian State Stud of Lipizzan Horses (ASCAL) is a conservation nucleus managed through strict mating rules where mitochondrial DNA sequences are used to verify the correct assignment of mares to a historical pedigree maternal lineage. Here, we analyzed the D-loop sequences of Lipizzan horses from the ASCAL in Monterotondo (Rome, Italy) in order to confirm their pedigree assignment to known female founder families. The concurrent investigation of the paternal counterpart based on variation in the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) showed a prevalence of HT02 (80%), typical of the Neapolitan/Oriental wave. The mtDNA polymorphisms identified shaped nine haplotypes that were unequivocally assigned to each of nine classical mare families of the stud (Africa, Almerina, Argentina, Deflorata, Djebrin, Fistula, Ivanka, Sardinia, Spadiglia), while the Europa and Theodorosta families shared a tenth haplotype. New polymorphisms were identified in a not previously studied region (np 16100–16350). The mtDNA phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Lipizzans of the Monterotondo stud belong to six haplogroups (B, C, G, L, M, Q), out of the 18 recorded for the equine species. This work enabled us to identify and preserve ten haplotypes from the historical maternal lines in a small stud kept in genetic segregation for over 100 years. Full article

The composition and properties of the milk fat of mares’ milk is interesting from a nutritional standpoint. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional value of Lipizzaner mare’s milk for possible human consumption and identity the influence of the parity and stage of lactation on its fatty acid (FA) composition. This study was conducted on 17 Lipizzaner mares from a state stud farm in the Slavonian region (eastern Croatia). Mares were hand-milked twice during lactation in the fourth and sixth months. Significantly higher contents of MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and lower ratios of n-6/n-3 were found in the fourth month of lactation. This parity significantly affected the PUFA/SFA ratio (polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids), with lower values found in older mares. The fatty acid composition of mare’s milk that is especially high in UFAs (unsaturated fatty acids) is considered to be beneficial for consumers. Full article

The naturally occurring betulinic acid (BA) and its derivative NVX-207 induce apoptosis in equine melanoma cells in vitro. After topical application, high concentrations of the substances can be reached in healthy equine skin. With the aim to investigate the effect and safety of topically applied BA and NVX-207 in horses with melanocytic tumors, the longitudinal, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study protocol included eighteen Lipizzaner mares with early-stage cutaneous melanoma assigned to three groups. Melanocytic lesions were topically treated either with a placebo, 1% BA or 1% NVX-207 twice a day for 91 days. Caliper measurements, clinical examinations and blood tests were performed to assess the effects and safety of the medication. The topical treatment was convenient and safe. The volumes of tumors treated with BA were significantly reduced over time as compared to tumors treated with the placebo from day 80 of the study. Although treatment with NVX-207 seemed to decrease tumor volume, these results did not reach statistical significance. The findings must be regarded as preliminary due to the limited group size and need to be replicated in a larger cohort with modified pharmaceutical test formulations. Accordingly, the treatment protocol cannot yet be recommended in its current form. Full article

Diacron-reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) levels in the serum of horses were measured (ponies, n = 15; thoroughbred, n = 31; other full-sized horses, n = 7). The mean d-ROM levels in horses were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those in dairy cattle (n = 25) and dogs (n = 31). However, d-ROM levels in horses were lower than the standard levels reported in humans. When d-ROM and BAP levels were plotted graphically, the points for horses with a disease (ringbone in 1 Japanese sports horse, cellulitis in 1 thoroughbred, melanoma in 1 Lipizzaner) fell outside the group of points for other (non-diseased) horses. A similar separation was seen (using data from other authors) for a horse with Rhodococcus equi, a horse following castration surgery, and a mare following delivery. These results, comparing horses, other animals, and humans, are interesting from the standpoint of comparative medicine, and they contribute to the sparse literature available on d-ROM and BAP levels in animals. Because the level of d-ROM and BAP levels were changed depending on the situation of health, those indexes are promising as indices of health in horses. Full article

The evaluation of conformation traits is an important part of selection for breeding stallions and mares. Some of these judged conformation traits involve joint angles that are associated with performance, health, and longevity. To improve our understanding of the genetic background of joint angles in horses, we have objectively measured the angles of the poll, elbow, carpal, fetlock (front and hind), hip, stifle, and hock joints based on one photograph of each of the 300 Franches-Montagnes (FM) and 224 Lipizzan (LIP) horses. After quality control, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for these traits were performed on 495 horses, using 374,070 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a mixed-effect model. We identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the poll angle on ECA28 (p = 1.36 × 10⁻⁷), 50 kb downstream of the ALX1 gene, involved in cranial morphology, and for the elbow joint on ECA29 (p = 1.69 × 10⁻⁷), 49 kb downstream of the RSU1 gene, and 75 kb upstream of the PTER gene. Both genes are associated with bone mineral density in humans. Furthermore, we identified other suggestive QTL associated with the stifle joint on ECA8 (p = 3.10 × 10⁻⁷); the poll on ECA1 (p = 6.83 × 10⁻⁷); the fetlock joint of the hind limb on ECA27 (p = 5.42 × 10⁻⁷); and the carpal joint angle on ECA3 (p = 6.24 × 10⁻⁷), ECA4 (p = 6.07 × 10⁻⁷), and ECA7 (p = 8.83 × 10⁻⁷). The application of angular measurements in genetic studies may increase our understanding of the underlying genetic effects of important traits in equine breeding. Full article