Journal of Equine Veterinary Science This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Chlamydia psittaci: A Cause of Placentitis
Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects birds worldwide and occasionally causes equine respiratory disease, conjunctivitis, polyarthritis and possibly abortion (Szeredi, L. et al, Veterinary Research Communications.(Suppl.1) 2005;29:37-49). Human infection with C psittaci occurs sporadically, typically due to contact with birds and their faeces. However, in 2014 several human Psittacosis cases occurred in Australia and were traced back to contact with C psittaci infected equine fetal membranes. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: J.B. Carrick, C.M. Chicken Source Type: research

Response of Mares Exposed to Caterpillars in Successive Pregnancies
Processionary Caterpillars (PC) (Ochrogaster lunifer) are a recognised aetiological agent of Equine Amnionitis and Foetal Loss (EAFL), an important cause of abortion. The PC and its host trees are native to Australia and PC are widespread. Control of PC in the environment is challenging, time consuming and expensive. There is strong interest in developing a diagnostic tool that identifies mares that have been exposed to PC, or a vaccine to prevent EAFL. There are no epidemiological studies investigating outcomes for subsequent pregnancies of mares that have aborted to EAFL. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: A.J. Cawdell-Smith, K.H. Todhunter, W.L. Bryden Source Type: research

Plasma estradiol-17 β Concentrations in Mares Treated for Experimentally Induced Ascending Placentitis
This study aimed to compare estrogen conce ntrations in plasma of mares treated for experimentally induced ascending placentitis with healthy control mares. Pregnant mares (300d gestation) were randomly assigned into healthy mares (control group, CONT, n=5); and mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis (n=13). (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: B.R. Curcio, C.E.W. Nogueira, F.M. Pazinato, L.A. Borba, L.S. Feijo, R. Scalco, I.F. Canisso Source Type: research

Foal Outcome following Caesarean Section
The objective of this study was to characterise factors important for survival to discharge in foals delivered by terminal CS (TCS) versus CS due to dystocia (DCS). Medical records from the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were searched (1987-2017). Thirty-two mares were included, with 8 TCS and 24 DCS. Eight mares were presented with maternal morbidity: gastrointestinal accident (n=5), uterine artery rupture, neoplasia and pleuropneumonia. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C.G. Donnelly, K.G. Magdesian Source Type: research

Pre-partum Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Arabian Mares that Reject their Foals
Foal rejection is defined as refusal of the mare to allow her newborn foal to suck combined with various degrees of aggression towards the foal. Such behaviour has been reported to occur more frequently in Arabian horses than other breeds with a suggestion that certain bloodlines may be more predisposed. It has been shown in many mammals that hormonal priming with progesterone and/or oestrogen is essential for the development of normal post-partum maternal behaviour. However in the mare, in contrast to other mammals, plasma oestrogen concentrations decline rather than increase during the weeks before foaling, while progest...
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: L.F. Duarte, S. Wilsher Source Type: research

Differences in Foaling Rates of Thoroughbred Mares with Different Histories
Literature has shown that mare age influences foaling success, but other aspects of mare reproductive history are less understood. Immediately prior season results may conceal important information from earlier years, and interactions between age and other factors have not been well-studied. We extended the evaluation of a mare's fertility to include information spanning her reproductive life, and considered its interaction with her age. This data may provide better benchmarks for equine fertility. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: M.P. Dube, D.L. Paccamonti, L. Underhill, R.C. Causey Source Type: research

Circulating Progesterone Concentration in Early Pregnancy in Caribbean Donkeys
This study compared circulating progesterone profiles of eight donkey jennies during non-pregnant and pregnant cycles. Th is experiment was conducted on the island of St. Kitts (17 °N, 63 °W) under tropical conditions. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: R.O. Gilbert, B.N. Roberts, D.R. Bergfelt, E.W. Peterson, J.C. Samper, H.M. French Source Type: research

Mammary Gland Secretion pH and Impending Parturition in Ponies and Mares with and without Firocoxib
The prediction of equine parturition is imprecise and gestation lengths vary. Mammary gland secretion pH has been examined and commercial pH strips are easy to use. Previous studies did show a correlation to pH value and parturition, but there were differences as to what pH value was critical. We measured the pH of udder secretions in near term mares and ponies using only test strips. We hypothesized that the change in pH will be a strong indicator of impending parturition. Our first objective was to use commercially available pH paper to demonstrate pH change within 24-72 hours of parturition. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: J.T. Hayna, S.R. Randell, C.A. Burden, M.A. Pozor, S.A. Benson, A.A. Kelleman, S. Gigu ère, M.L. Macpherson Source Type: research

Determination of Reference Intervals for Umbilical Cord Arterial and Venous Blood Gas Analysis of Healthy Thoroughbred Foals
Although umbilical cord blood gas analysis is the best way to assess in utero oxygenation in human neonates, there is limited evaluation of this method in equine neonatology. Our objectives were to assess the practicality of obtaining umbilical cord blood gas samples in the field, and to determine umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas reference intervals (RI) for healthy, newborn foals. Thoroughbred foals>320 days gestation from healthy mares with uneventful pregnancies at one stud farm were evaluated. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: S.S. Jeawon, L.M. Katz, N.P. Galvin, U.M. Fogarty, V.E. Duggan Source Type: research

Artificially Extending Photoperiod in Pre-partum Mares using Mobile Light Masks Influences Gestation Length, Foal Birth Weight and Foal Hair Coat
In seasonally breeding animals, photoperiod perception is crucial for timing of important physiological events. In the horse, long day photoperiod influences the onset of ovulation and cyclicity, shedding of the heavier winter coat and the timing of parturition. Regulation of the seasonal reactivation cue occurs via reduction in melatonin secretion from the pineal. Recent research indicates that short wavelength light within the blue spectrum is particularly effective at suppressing melatonin secretion in the horse [1]. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: B.A. Murphy, M.B. Nolan, C.M. Walsh, N. Duff, C. McCrarren Source Type: research

Road Transport of Late Pregnant Mares Advances the Onset of Foaling
Fetal maturation triggers an increasing cortisol synthesis which then initiates the onset of parturition. Road transport is a stressor for horses and elicits a complex stress response with increases in cortisol concentration and heart rate, but a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV). We hypothesized that maternal stress during the last days of gestation advances the time of parturition. To determine stress effects on the time of foaling and foal outcome, mares were either transported for 3 hours by road (n=12) or remained in the foaling stable as controls (n=3). (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C. Nagel, M. Melchert, J. Aurich, C. Aurich Source Type: research

Aspiration of Yolk Sac Fluid from the Early Pregnant Mare for Fetal Genotyping
Equine fetal genotyping has multiple clinical applications but currently can be accomplished only via embryo biopsy, which requires embryo recovery, micromanipulation, and transfer. We investigated the possibility of obtaining fluid from the conceptus for fetal genotyping via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration in pregnant mares. Genotyping and assessment of maternal contamination was performed by analyzing histograms for 17 microsatellite ID markers. Areas under the curves were compared for each allele in recovered fluid vs. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: A.M. Ripley, M.C.T. Penedo, R.A. Grahn, E.V. Martinez de Andino, S.R. Walbornn, R. Serafini, C.C. Love, K. Hinrichs Source Type: research

Temperature-humidity Index (THI) Is Associated with Gestation Length in Thoroughbred Mares
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of THI during month of foaling on the duration of gestation of Thoroughbred mares. The gestational length of 437 pregnancies of 279 Thoroughbred mares carrying and delivering normal singleton foals were recorded and analyzed during four foaling seasons of the Southern Hemisphere. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: R. Scalco, I.F. Canisso, G.C. Silva, T.L. Almeida, F.M. Pazinato, L.A. Borba, L.S. Feij ó, C.E.W. Nogueira, B.R. Curcio Source Type: research

Progestogens and Neuroactive Steroids in Hospitalized Newborn Foals
For newborn foals to overcome stressful events, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) must be functional at birth. Maturation of the HPAA in foals occurs in late gestation and early postnatal period. This transition is associated with enzymatic changes in the adrenal cortex to produce pregnenolone that will be converted to progestogens by the placenta. At the end of gestation, the equine fetal adrenal cortex begins expressing 17 α-hydroxylase that is required for the conversion of progesterone to cortisol. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: K.A. Dembek, R.E. Toribio Source Type: research

Improving Techniques to Study Equine Cervical Mucociliary Clearance
Bacterial uterine infections usually arise from bacteria introduced at breeding. Micro-currents propelled by ciliated cells between the folds of the uterus and cervix have been proposed as a means by which contaminants are expelled. Previous data has shown possible ciliary micro-currents propelling carbon particles, occasionally rotating, through cervical folds. However, adherence to the epithelium may interfere with movement of carbon. Therefore, we tested potentially non-adherent substances to reveal ciliary micro-currents on the equine cervix under high magnification video-endoscopy. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: M.A. Hawkes, A.L. Richard, C.L. Oldfield, A.B. Toothaker, C.L. Oldfield, M.R. Stokes, R.C. Causey Source Type: research