α-Casozepine supplementation shows no effect on foals' growth and cortisol levels before and after weaning.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine whether oral administration of α-casozepine (Zylkene) supplementation decreases the risk of disease in foals, as measured through salivary cortisol levels, temperature, clinical signs of disease, and body weight before and after weaning. ANIMALS: 20 Thoroughbred foals were observed over 10 weeks, beginning 14 days prior to the time of weaning. METHODS: Experimental foals were randomly selected and given α-casozepine daily for 10 weeks, while the controls received a placebo with the same frequency as the experimental group. The average daily height and weight gain were calculated to examine the effects of α-casozepine before and after weaning. Salivary cortisol levels were also compared before versus after weaning. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in average daily height/weight gain or cortisol levels between the α-casozepine group and the control before and after weaning. However, the α-casozepine group had numerically less of a decline in height and growth compared to the control. This suggests that with further study Zylkene may decrease losses in foal growth rate. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The weaning process is one of the largest stressors in a young horse's life. This abrupt process can contribute to an increased risk of disease and even morbidity. Other major stressors including separation from the mare, diet change, and new social groups can also lead to animal health and welfare concerns, as well as economic losses in weanling foals. However, further study is required to determine the benefits of α-casozepine on equine stress and health.

Therapeutic Riding or Mindfulness: Comparative Effectiveness of Two Recreational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents with Autism.

Therapeutic riding (THR) and HeartMath (HM) mindfulness-based interventions have promise for reducing stress in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. In three 10-week periods, this study compared THR, HM, and control on salivary cortisol, self-reported stress, parent-reported social responsiveness, and heart-rate variability. This crossover design included 27 participants (12-21 years) randomly assigned to order of intervention. Findings suggest that HM and THR manualized protocols are equally beneficial in decreasing cortisol levels immediately following a session, but HM sessions had more impact on heart-rate variability. There was no significant effect on follow-up cortisol levels within a week after either intervention, but THR had more impact on decreasing some self-reported stressors.

Salivary Cortisol, Equine Characteristics, and Management Factors Associated With Strongyle-Type Egg Shedding of Ohio Horses.

Identification of factors associated with parasite infestation in horses could reduce frequency of anthelmintic administration and slow development of anthelmintic resistance. The study aim was to evaluate management factors, equine characteristics, and equine salivary cortisol concentrations for association with strongyle-type egg shedding levels. As immunocompromised horses appear to be more susceptible to parasite infestation, it was hypothesized that salivary cortisol concentration could be associated with parasite egg shedding. Saliva and fecal samples were collected from 200 horses across the state of Ohio. Equine management questionnaires were administered to barn managers. Fecal egg counts were performed with a modified Stoll method, and saliva samples were analyzed for salivary cortisol with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 24 variables were tested for association with fecal egg count results (dichotomized with 50 eggs per gram as a cutoff) using chi-square test of independence, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, or Mann Whitney U test. The sample of horses was partitioned into tertiles based on salivary cortisol concentrations (i.e., low <0.052 µg/dL, medium 0.052-0.0712 µg/dL, and high >0.0712 µg/dL). Variables with P < .30 were analyzed for association with fecal egg count with multiple logistic regression. The final logistic regression model (P< .05) included horse age, horse salivary cortisol concentration, and pasture mowing frequency. Older horses had higher adjusted odds of having <50 EPG. Pasture mowing frequency of at least once per week increased the adjusted odds of <50 EPG. Horses with cortisol concentrations in the highest tertile had increased adjusted odds of having <50 EPG.

Equine antibody response to larval Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory products.

Parascaris equorum is an intestinal nematode of foals and young horses that can produce mild to severe pathology. Current diagnosis is limited to detection of patent infections, when parasite eggs are identified during fecal examinations. This study examined the use of larval P. equorum excretory-secretory (ES) products in a western blot test for diagnosis of prepatent equine P. equorum infection. Sera from adult mares negative for patent P. equorum infections, foals prior to consuming colostrum, and P. equorum infected foals were used as controls in this study. Study samples included sera from 18 broodmares prior to parturition and sera from their foals throughout the process of natural infection. Sera from study horses were examined for IgG(T) antibody recognition of ES products. Foals naturally infected with P. equorum possessed IgG(T) antibodies against 19kDa, 22kDa, 26kDa, and 34kDa ES products. However, passive transfer of colostral antibodies from mares was shown to preclude the use of the crude larval ES product-based western blot test for diagnosis of prepatent P. equorum infections in foals.

In vitro culture of Parascaris equorum larvae and initial investigation of parasite excretory-secretory products.

Currently, diagnosis of Parascaris equorum infection in equids is limited to patent infections. The goals of this study were to culture P. equorum larvae in vitro and identify excretory-secretory (ES) products for prepatent diagnostic testing. Parascaris equorum L2/L3 larvae were hatched and cultured for up to 3 weeks for ES product collection. Fifth stage (L5) P. equorum were also cultured for ES product collection. Examination of ES fractions by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and silver stain revealed L2/L3 products ranging from 12-94 kDa and L5 products ranging from 12-189 kDa. Western blot analyses were conducted using polyclonal antibodies produced against P. equorum or Baylisascaris procyonis L2/L3 ES products, sera from rabbits inoculated with B. procyonis or Toxocara canis eggs, and sera from animals naturally infected with P. equorum or T. canis. Western blot results indicated parasite antigens migrating at 19 and 34 kDa may be useful for specifically detecting P. equorum infections.