Search Results (183)

Equestrian sports play a significant economic role in the horse industry. In recent years, numerous equine viruses have emerged, among which are equine Pegiviruses and the re-emerging Equine coronavirus (ECoV). These viruses are distributed globally and primarily cause subclinical infections with unknown morbidity, even if ECoV can occasionally induce febrile and diarrheic episodes. To broaden the data on the Italian equine population, a study was conducted to assess their prevalence in two distinct horse populations belonging to the Carabinieri Corps (CC) and the Italian Army (IA) of the Italian Armed Forces (IAF). Samples consisted of blood serum and rectal swabs of 436 horses collected within the national surveillance program for equine infectious anemia and gastrointestinal parasite monitoring and analyzed for Pegivirus (caballi and equi) and ECoV by Real-Time RT PCR. The prevalence detected were 6.56% and 3.53%, respectively, for Pegivirus caballi and equi for the IA, while for the CC, they were 10.13% and 0.84%. Only one sample tested positive for ECoV belonging to a horse of the CC. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on the PCR-positive samples that were sequenced using Sanger protocols. Understanding the epidemiology of these viruses is essential for evaluating the implementation of effective prevention strategies. Full article

Background: The reproductive ability of equine species is a critical component of equine breeding programs, with sperm quality serving as a primary determinant of reproductive success. In this study, we perform an integrative analysis of proteomics and metabolomics in seminal plasma to identify proteins and metabolites associated with sperm quality and reproductive ability in equine species. Methods: We utilized the CEROS instrument to assess the morphology and motility of sperm samples from three horses and three donkeys. Additionally, we statistically analyzed the mating frequency and pregnancy rates in both species. Meanwhile, the 4D-DIA high-throughput proteomic and metabolomic profiling of seminal plasma samples from horses and donkeys revealed a complex landscape of proteins and metabolites. Results: Our findings reveal a certain degree of correlation between seminal plasma proteins and metabolites and sperm quality, as well as overall fertility. Notably, we found that the proteins B3GAT3, XYLT2, CHST14, HS2ST1, GLCE, and HSPG2 in the glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis signaling pathway; the metabolites D-glucose, 4-phosphopantetheine, and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid in the tyrosine metabolism, starch, and source metabolisms; and pantothenate CoA biosynthesis metabolism present unique characteristics in the seminal plasma of equine species. Conclusions: This comprehensive approach provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sperm quality and has identified potential proteins and metabolites that could be used to indicate reproduction ability. The findings from this study could be instrumental in developing novel strategies to enhance equine breeding practices and reproductive management. Future research will focus on exploring their potential for clinical application in the equine industry. Full article

Exploring the mechanism of science and technology innovation spillover effect and collaborative innovation on the high-quality development of urban agglomerations is of great practical significance for implementing the innovation-driven development strategy. Based on the panel data of prefecture-level cities from 2012 to 2020, this study uses web crawler technology to obtain cooperative invention patent data, combines the social network analysis method to construct collaborative innovation networks, constructs a high-quality development indicator system from six dimensions such as the degree of marketization and the industrial system, and adopts the spatial Durbin model to reveal the regional innovation spillover effect. The comparative study based on the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) urban agglomerations found the following: (1) There is significant spatial heterogeneity in science and technology innovation, with the YRD showing a positive spillover trend and BTH showing a significant negative spillover trend; (2) The collaborative innovation network shows differentiated characteristics, with the YRD having a higher density of the network and forming a multi-centered structure, and BTH maintaining the pattern of single-core radiation; (3) There is a horse-tracing effect in high-quality development, with the average score of YRD The average score of YRD is significantly higher than that of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, and the indicators of several dimensions are better. Based on these conclusions, city clusters should further strengthen the construction of collaborative innovation networks among cities and enhance the capacity of neighboring cities to undertake innovation, to give full play to the spillover effect and driving effect of innovation on high-quality development. Full article

Monitoring infectious diseases is essential for safeguarding equine health and ensuring the sustainability of the horse industry. In 2019, the Royal Veterinary Association of the Netherlands (KNMvD) and Royal GD (GD Animal Health) launched SEIN (Surveillance of Equine Infectious diseases in the Netherlands), a voluntary surveillance system for laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), equid alphaherpesvirus 4 (EHV-4), equine influenza virus (EIV), and Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. This retrospective study analyzed 364 confirmed outbreaks reported through SEIN between June 2019 and April 2023. S. equi was the most commonly reported pathogen overall (64%). Among outbreaks involving respiratory disease, S. equi accounted for 74% of cases, followed by EHV-4 (16%), EIV (6%), and EHV-1 (4%). The geographical distribution of outbreaks covered 80 of the 90 postal code regions (89%), and approximately half of all participating practices generated at least 1 alert. Vaccination data revealed low coverage against EHV-1/4, EIV, and S. equi among both affected horses and premises. Clinical signs overlapped between pathogens, but some were more pathogen-specific, e.g., coughing in EIV, and abscessation in S. equi. The SEIN system provided spatiotemporal information on confirmed outbreaks. These results underscore the importance of quick diagnostics and structured surveillance systems in guiding prevention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Equine rhinopneumonia, caused by equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4), continues to be a significant health and economic concern in the global equine industry, particularly in Kazakhstan. While vaccines targeting EHV-1 are available, there is currently no licensed monovalent vaccine for EHV-4, and existing formulations offer limited protection against this serotype. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a freeze-dried, live-attenuated EHV-4 vaccine with improved safety, stability, and immunogenicity. Methods: A field isolate of EHV-4 was attenuated through serial passaging in primary lamb testicle (LT-KK49) cell cultures. Viral biomass was concentrated and formulated with various stabilizers before freeze-drying. The most effective stabilizer composition—sucrose, gelatin, and lactalbumin hydrolysate—was selected based on viral titer retention. Safety and immunogenicity were assessed in mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, donkeys, and horses. A guinea pig reproductive challenge model was used to evaluate protective efficacy. Results: The optimized lyophilized vaccine retained infectivity (>6.0 log₁₀ TCID_50/cm³) for at least six months at 4 °C. No adverse clinical signs were observed in any test species. Immunization induced robust neutralizing antibody responses in both small animals and equines. In the guinea pig model, vaccinated females demonstrated 100% pregnancy retention and fetal viability following challenge with a virulent EHV-4 strain. Conclusions: This freeze-dried, live-attenuated EHV-4 vaccine candidate is safe, immunogenic, and thermostable. It offers a promising platform for the targeted prevention of EHV-4 infection, particularly in young horses and in regions with limited cold-chain infrastructure. Full article

The traditional horse industry has undergone a remarkable evolution, with horse racing emerging as a prominent and pivotal economic driver within the sector. Among the various breeds, Mongolian horses, renowned for their exceptional endurance and speed, occupy a significant position in the horse industry. To investigate their homeostasis mechanisms during and after a 20 km endurance exercise and identify novel oxidative-imbalance markers, we selected 12 two-year-old horses and collected blood samples at various time points before, during (at 5, 10, 15, and 20 km), and after the exercise (at 1, 2, 4, and 6 h post-exercise). These samples were analyzed for haematology, blood biochemistry, antioxidant enzyme activities, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics. Our results revealed significant changes in heart rate, speed, blood cells, and biochemical markers throughout the exercise. Antioxidant indicators decreased, while malondialdehyde increased, indicating oxidative imbalance post-exercise. Metabolomics analysis identified 122 differential metabolites, including uric acid and L-tyrosine, which were enriched in pathways related to energy metabolism. Uric acid and tyrosine correlated positively with serum creatine kinase, suggesting their potential as markers of oxidative-imbalance injury. These findings elucidate the mechanisms of endurance adaptability in Mongolian horses and provide a theoretical basis for mitigating oxidative imbalance, enhancing horse performance, and promoting the sustainable development of the equine industry. Full article

Dermacentor nitens (tropical horse tick) is a tick species commonly found parasitizing horses and other equids in the Amazon region, causing economic losses. Currently, tick control is based on chemical acaricides, usually in a power formulation for topical use. However, its indiscriminate use results in the emergence of resistant tick lineages. Several plant compounds have been tested for their acaricide activity. In the Amazon, several plants are used for oil extraction, resulting in the production of solid residue (waste) that may contain chemical molecules with biological activities. Thus, we aimed to test the in vitro acaricidal potential of the ethanolic extract of the industrial residue of andiroba (Carapa sp.) against D. nitens. In a larval immersion test (LIT), D. nitens larvae were tested with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% andiroba extract concentrations in three replicates. Subsequently, the envelopes were kept in a BOD chamber (28 °C ± 1 °C; 80% ± 5% humidity) for 24 h. At the end of this period, live and dead larvae were counted, and efficiency was calculated from the mortality rate caused by the extract and corrected by the Abbot formula. In the three repetitions, the andiroba extract at a concentration of 5% caused the death of 100% of the larvae. At concentrations of 2.5% and 10%, they caused the death of, respectively, 12.38% (±3.5%) and 69.79% (±7.98%) of the larvae. These results indicate that the extract from the industrial residue from the production of andiroba oil has acaricidal activity. It is concluded that the solid waste from industrial andiroba oil extraction has the potential for the development of natural acaricides against D. nitens. Full article

The expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in recent decades has led to a substantial increase in fish by-products. This study investigates the extraction and characterization of calcium phosphates from the by-products of representative species in these industries, aiming to identify potential sources for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Clean bones obtained by enzyme hydrolysis from the heads, central skeletons, and/or tails of Atlantic horse mackerel, blue whiting, hake, mackerel, and farmed turbot were subjected to calcination to obtain calcium phosphates. The clean bone content in terms of nitrogen, lipids, organic matter, total protein, and amino acids was evaluated together with the chemical bonds, structures, and elemental composition of calcium phosphates. Results indicated a significantly higher yield of wet bone recovery (23%, p < 0.05) for the central skeleton of Atlantic horse mackerel and the highest mineral fraction for the heads of Atlantic horse mackerel (73.2%), followed by that of blue whiting (72.6%). Hake and turbot presented the lowest mineral fractions and, therefore, the highest protein content (27–31%, p < 0.05), with significant levels of collagen-related amino acids (p < 0.05). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman) confirmed the biphasic calcium phosphate composition for most samples based on hydroxyapatite with contributions of whitlockite/β-tricalcium phosphate. The highest contribution to the non-apatite phase was made by the central skeletons of both mackerel and Atlantic horse mackerel. Full article

Equine skin mycoses are a significant concern in Kazakhstan’s livestock industry due to the country’s historical livestock farming practices, the development of equestrian sports, and food traditions. Skin infections are among the most common fungal infections in horses. Emerging pathogens of equine dermatophytosis include keratinophilic Chrysosporium spp., which can degrade and metabolize keratin found in superficial tissues. This, combined with their thermotolerance, contributes to their pathogenicity. In this study, we investigated the biological properties and pathogenicity of two Chrysosporium strains isolated from equine skin lesions in northern and central Kazakhstan. Our findings showed that the Chrysosporium isolates caused a variety of clinically expressed skin lesions and exhibited cultural and morphological similarities to Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Genetic identification using ribosomal gene sequencing revealed 98.9% identity with Chrysosporium kreiselii and Chrysosporium zonatum sequences in both cases. The C. kreiselii strain caused pronounced skin lesions typical of classic dermatomycoses, demonstrated both keratinophilic and keratinolytic properties, and showed resistance to antifungal drugs. In contrast, the C. zonatum strain, which caused atypical lesions such as dandruff and seborrhea, was more sensitive to antifungal agents and exhibited keratinophilic properties. Our results highlight the emergence of new pathogenic Chrysosporium strains responsible for skin pathology in horses in Kazakhstan. We recommend that the identification of Chrysosporium skin infections in horses in Kazakhstan be followed by a comprehensive retrospective analysis of newly identified pathogens, including a full characterization of their pathogenicity. Full article

Equine herpesvirus 1-induced myeloencephalopathy has a significant impact on the equine industry. Nevertheless, the clinical variables that may affect the severity of the disease are still under investigation. The objective of this research is studying the relationship between the level of lymphopenia and vaccination status with the severity of the disease in horses at an event, considering whether they had been correctly vaccinated or not prior to exposure to EHV-1. Ten horses were admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital following an equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy outbreak during an international show jumping competition in Spain. Data were collected from passport vaccination records, daily analyses, and the clinical histories of the affected horses. Correctly vaccinated horses had a significantly longer hospitalization duration (6/10, 15.5 ± 1.2 days) compared to incorrectly vaccinated horses (4/10, 12.5 ± 1.2 days; p = 0.01). Lymphopenia (<1.6 × 10³ lymphocytes/µL) was the most common leukogram abnormality. Correctly vaccinated horses demonstrated a higher lymphocyte count compared to incorrectly vaccinated horses within 24 h of admission (p < 0.01). This difference remained significant from days 1 to 4 and on day 6 post-admission (p =0.03). This study found that lymphopenia is a common leukogram alteration in equine herpesvirus 1-infected horses, and horses correctly vaccinated prior to an equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy outbreak tend to have a longer hospitalization time. Correctly vaccinated horses exhibited higher lymphocyte counts during the first 24 h and throughout hospitalization compared to incorrectly vaccinated horses. The immune system could play a relevant role in influencing the severity of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy outbreaks, highlighting the need for further studies in this area. Full article

The production of high-quality specialty meats has emerged as a prominent research focus within the livestock industry, under the broader concept of big food. However, the composition and variances of volatile compounds (VOCs) in donkey meat (DM) and horse meat (HM) remain unclear, which complicates their effective identification. In the present study, the VOCs of DM and HM were analyzed using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) in combination with a multivariate analysis. Our results indicate that a total of 39 VOCs were identified in both DM and HM. These VOCs were categorized into five groups: aldehydes (39.53%), ketones (28.89%), alcohols (28.89%), acids (6.98%), and furans (2.33%). Compared with HM, the concentration of aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols in DM is significantly higher. (p < 0.001). Additionally, 16 characteristic-flavor VOCs were identified in both types of meat, with notable compounds including oct-1-en-3-ol, 3-hexanone, and heptanol. Topography, fingerprinting, and multivariate analysis effectively differentiated the VOC profiles of DM and HM. Furthermore, the 28 differential VOCs identified in DM and HM were all significantly higher in DM than in HM. In summary, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the VOC composition and characteristic flavor compounds in DM and HM, highlighting key differential VOCs. These findings contribute valuable data for flavor regulation and offer technical support for detecting the adulteration of DM with HM. The difference in sensory quality between DM and HM needs further research. Full article

Cefquinome is used to treat septicemia caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and respiratory infections caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in foals. However, studies reporting the use of cefquinome to target E. coli as pathogens of sepsis are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the optimal dosage regimen for cefquinome against E. coli using a PK/PD model. After the administration of 1 mg/kg cefquinome (intramuscularly or intravenously), blood samples were collected at different time points to determine the serum concentration of cefquinome via HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated via NCA (WinNonlin 5.2.1 software). The main pharmacokinetic parameters of cefquinome in foals were as follows: after intravenous administration, the elimination half-life (T_1/2β) was 2.35 h, the area under the curve (AUC_0–last) was 12.33 μg·h/mL, the mean residence time (MRT_0–last) was 2.67 h, and the clearance rate (CL) was 0.09 L/h/kg. After intramuscular administration, the peak concentration (C_max) was 0.89 μg/mL, the time to reach the maximum serum concentration (T_max) was 2.16 h, T_1/2β was 4.16 h, AUC_0–last was 5.41 μg·h/mL, MRT_0–last was 4.92 h, CL was 0.15 L/h/kg, and the absolute bioavailability (F) was 43.86%. An inhibitory sigmoid Emax model was used to integrate the PK/PD indices with ex vivo antimicrobial effects to identify pharmacodynamic targets (PDTs). According to the dose calculation formula, the doses of intramuscularly administered cefquinome required to achieve bacteriostatic effects, bactericidal effects, and bactericidal elimination were 1.10, 1.66, and 2.28 mg/kg, respectively. However, further studies are warranted to verify the therapeutic efficacy of cefquinome in clinical settings. Full article

Microquantity laboratory procedures (<5 mL) are often used to analyze milk from non-bovid or less common species due to limited available samples and small sample sizes, unlike the large quantities of milk needed for macroquantity (~20 mL) assays standard in the commercial dairy industry. To better understand microquantity milk laboratory analyses, quarter horse (Equus caballus) milk from North Carolina State University (females = 4, n = 43) and California Polytechnic State University (females = 4, n = 42) equine centers was compared to investigate differences in macronutrient composition from 4 to 130 days after parturition. All mares were healthy, but consumed different diets. Major milk macronutrients were measured at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute using a microquantity analysis of ash, crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), crude fat, sugar, and gross energy. Of the six measured nutrients, only CP and crude fat differed (p < 0.05) by location, while sugar and crude fat had differences among individual mares. Californian mares had greater fat concentration means on a dry matter basis (DMB) than the North Carolinian mares (ANCOVA, p = 0.003). North Carolinian mares had greater CP concentration means than Californian mares. These findings indicate that dietary differences and/or environmental factors may play a role in CP and crude fat milk macronutrient composition within horse breeds. However, despite the differences noted, the microquantity analyses for nutritional means for all eight mares were within macroquantity horses ranges available in the previous literature. The results indicate that micro versus macroassays are comparable and supports clinical and scientific research on milk from species where large sample quantities are difficult to obtain. Full article

The irradiation by gamma-rays is a widely used technique for disinfection in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In view of growing concerns by consumers about this technique, further investigation of the effects of radiation is required. In this work electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was applied to study the free radicals in irradiated horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) seeds and to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) using the stable DPPH radical. In order to evaluate the antiradical potential, a spectrophotometric study was also used. The identification and quantification of some individual polyphenol compounds before and after irradiation by 1, 5, and 10 kGy gamma rays of peeled and shell seeds were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The EPR spectrum recorded on irradiated horse chestnut is a typical signal for irradiated cellulose-contained substances. The results show that the signal is stable, and it can be found in the samples irradiated with a dose of 1 kGy, 45 days after treatment, whereas for samples irradiated by 5 and 10 kGy, it is even found 250 days later. The study showed that free radical scavenging activity increases in shell seeds, while it decreases in peeled seed extracts after irradiation depending on the dosage, which corresponds to the total phenolic content. Shell seed extracts have significantly stronger antiradical activity than that of peeled seeds. Regarding the HPLC analysis, some polyphenolics were degraded and others were formed as a result of irradiation. The irradiation by 5 kGy dosage has a most significant positive effect on the antioxidant potential of shell chestnut seeds. Full article

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between blood lipid levels and the differences in cardiac structure and function of trained and untrained Yili horses as related to exercise performance. We utilized quantitative lipidomics technology to elucidate how the differences in lipid compounds in the blood influenced performance outcomes. Sixteen 18-month-old Yili horses were selected, ten of which received a 15-week training regimen, and six were kept as untrained controls. Cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography, while plasma lipid metabolites were detected and identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results showed that key cardiac structural indices, such as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness, were significantly greater in the trained group compared with the untrained group, indicating that exercise training promotes adaptive cardiac remodeling. Regarding lipid metabolites, significant differences were observed between the trained and untrained groups, with a total of 281 lipids identified—212 upregulated and 69 downregulated. These differentially expressed lipids were primarily enriched in pathways such as necroptosis, ether lipid metabolism, and sphingolipid signaling, which are associated with cell migration, survival, proliferation, and regulation of lipid metabolism. Further correlation analysis revealed that differences in certain lipids, such as PE (20:4_18:0), PC (17:0_18:1), and LPC subclasses, were significantly correlated with exercise-mediated cardiac structural and functional changes and exercise performance enhancement. These findings provide novel molecular insights into the effects of exercise training on cardiac structure and lipid metabolism in horses and can serve as a reference for training strategies and preserving cardiac health in performance horses. Full article