Evaluation of oral sugar test response for detection of equine metabolic syndrome in obese Crioulo horses.

Owing to the high prevalence of obesity in Crioulo horses, information allowing early diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and prevention of the associated laminitis is of great value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of EMS and the response to an oral sugar test (OST) in obese Crioulo horses. Twenty-two Crioulo horses were allocated into 3 groups according to their body condition score (BCS out of 9) and presence or absence of laminitis as follows: CON (6/22), BCS < 7; OB (8/22), BCS ≥ 7; and LAM (8/22), BCS ≥7 with clinical and/or radiographic signs of laminitis. A complete clinical history was obtained, followed by a physical examination, morphometric measurements, radiographic evaluation of front feet, and ultrasonography measurements of subcutaneous body fat. For the OST, animals were fasted overnight, and blood samples were collected for glucose and insulin concentration before and after sugar administration. Morphometric and metabolic differences (P < 0.05) were observed between CON animals and obese ones, with horses from the LAM group presenting the highest morphometric measurements and insulin plasma concentrations. A delayed peak glucose response for OST was observed in the majority of obese animals, indicating that sampling between 60 and 90 min after sugar administration without glycemic curve follow-up, as previously used for hyperinsulinism detection, can be inadequate. The observed delay in the return to glucose baseline levels, combined with high insulin levels, supports the diagnosis of insulin dysregulation. These results indicate that there are clear obesity-related differences in the glucose and insulin responses of Crioulo horses to an OST.

Response of three digital anesthetic technics in horses with forelimb hoof lameness / Resposta de três técnicas anestésicas digitais em equinos com claudicação dos membros anteriores ligada ao casco

The presented study aimed to assess objectively the response of distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ), navicular bursa (NB) and deep digital flexor tendon sheath (DDFTS) anesthesia in horses with forelimb hoof lameness; and evaluate if the presence of radiographic abnormalities on navicular bone could interfere on blocks' results. Fifteen horses with lameness improvement above 70% after palmar digital nerve (PDN) block were selected for this study. Blocks were assessed separately on five consecutive trials at seven different time-points. The fifth trial was performed to evaluate the influence of exercise on preexisting lameness. Most of horses (73.33%) presented pain related to the podotrochlear apparatus based on clinical and lameness exam and blocks' responses. NB and DIJ anesthesia differed on the frequency of horses with lameness improvement above 70% only at 10min (p=0.03), and both differed from DDFTS block until 30'(p<0.05). The blocks' response was variable along the time and the highest means for NB, DIJ and DDFTS were observed at 5-10 minutes ('), 15-20' and 10-15' respectively.Exercise had low interference on lameness intensity since no improvement above 50% was observed and an increase on lameness intensity over time was identified in seven horses. Variable grades of navicular bone radiographic lesions were observed in 14 horses, although these lesions had no interference on blocks' response (p>0.05). The NB and DIJ blocks had similar responses and both were superior to DDFTS anesthesia, coincident with a major prevalence of podotroclear apparatus abnormalities in this equine population.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou, de forma objetiva, as respostas do bloqueio da articulação interfalangeana distal (AID), da bursa do navicular (BN) e da bainha do tendão flexor digital profundo (BTFDP) em equinos com claudicação ligada ao casco nos membros torácicos; além de analisar a influência das alterações radiográficas do osso navicular no resultado dos bloqueios. Quinze cavalos, que apresentaram uma melhora da claudicação acima de 70% após o bloqueio do nervo digital palmar, foram selecionados para este estudo. Os bloqueios foram avaliados separadamente em cinco turnos consecutivos e em sete tempos diferentes. O quinto turno foi utilizado para analisar a influência do exercício sobre a claudicação preexistente. A maioria dos cavalos (73,33%) apresentou dor relacionada à porção palmar do casco, com base nos achados do exame clínico em movimento e nas respostas dos bloqueios. As anestesias da BN e da AID apresentaram diferença quanto à frequência de cavalos com melhora da claudicação acima de 70% apenas aos 10min (p=0.03), e ambos diferiram do bloqueio da BTFDP até os 30min (p<0.05). A resposta dos bloqueios foi variada ao longo do tempo, e as maiores médias de melhora da claudicação para os bloqueios BN, AID e BTFDP foram observadas aos 5-10min, 15-20min e 10-15min, respectivamente. O exercício teve pequena interferência na intensidade da claudicação, uma vez que nenhuma melhora acima de 50% foi observada e sete cavalos aumentaram a intensidade da claudicação ao longo do tempo. A presença de diferentes graus de lesão radiográfica do osso navicular foi observada em 14 cavalos, porém essas lesões não interferiram na resposta dos bloqueios (p>0,05). Os bloqueios da BN e da AID apresentaram respostas semelhantes, e ambos foram superiores ao bloqueio da BTFDP, coincidindo com uma marcada prevalência de doença do aparato podotroclear nesta população de equinos.(AU)

Efeito clínico do uso do parecoxib em modelo de sinovite induzida em pôneis / Clinical effect of parecoxib in induced synovitis in horses

Um modelo experimental de sinovite em pôneis foi usado para avaliar o efeito do parecoxib, um antiinflamatório não-esteroidal (AINE) seletivo injetável. Cinco dias após indução da sinovite, três pôneis foram tratados com 0,55mg/kg/dia (IV) de parecoxib e três receberam solução salina 0,9 por cento (IV) por cinco dias. A avaliação de parâmetros clínicos dos animais e físico-químicos do líquido sinovial foi realizada antes da indução de sinovite, antes e 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas após o início do tratamento. A injeção intra-articular com adjuvante completo de Freund induziu sinovite de intensidade moderada a grave. Os pôneis tratados com parecoxib apresentaram diminuição do grau de claudicação; manutenção da flexão articular, do comprimento do passo, da temperatura retal e da freqüência cardíaca; e atenuação do grau de efusão articular. Embora o parecoxib, na dose utilizada, não tenha apresentado efeito sobre os parâmetros do líquido sinovial das articulações com sinovite, sua ação antipirética, antiinflamatória e principalmente analgésica foi observada.

An experimental synovitis model was used in ponies to evaluate the effect of parecoxib, a selective non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Five days after synovitis induction, three ponies received parecoxib (IV) 0.55mg/kg/day and three ponies received sterile 0.9 percent saline solution (IV) for five days. Clinical parameters and synovial fluid were evaluated before synovitis induction, prior treatment and 12, 24, 48, 96, and 120 hours after the first treatment. The intra-articular injection of Freund's complete adjuvant induced a moderate to severe synovitis. The parecoxib treated ponies showed lameness reduction; maintenance of stride length, articular flexion, temperature, and heart rate; and attenuation of articular effusion. Although the used dosage of parecoxib had no effect on evaluated synovial fluid parameters, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and especially analgesic effects were observed.

Effect of ration and exercise on plasma creatine kinase activity and lactate concentration in Thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 3 rations (low grain, fat, high grain) on plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and lactate concentration in Thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). ANIMALS: 5 Thoroughbreds with RER and 3 healthy Thoroughbreds (control horses). PROCEDURES: Rations were formulated to meet (low-grain and fat rations) or exceed (high-grain ration) daily energy requirements. Each ration was fed to horses in a crossover design for 3 weeks. Horses were exercised on a treadmill Monday through Friday; maximum speed on Monday and Friday was 11 m/s (6% slope), on Tuesday and Thursday was 9 m/s, and on Wednesday was 4.5 m/s. Plasma CK activity and lactate concentration were determined before and after exercise. RESULTS: Horses with RER fed the high-grain ration had significantly greater CK activity and change in CK activity 4 hours after exercise, compared with those fed the low-grain ration. Horses with RER exercised at the trot or canter had significantly greater increases in CK activity, compared with those exercised at the gallop. Plasma lactate concentrations after exercise were similar in control and affected horses. Lactate concentration and CK activity were not correlated in horses with RER. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rations high in grain and formulated to exceed daily energy requirements may increase episodes of rhabdomyolysis in thoroughbred horses susceptible to RER.

Glucose uptake in horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether excessive glycogen accumulation in skeletal muscle of Quarter Horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) is a result of enhanced cellular uptake of glucose. ANIMALS: 6 horses with PSSM and 10 healthy (control) horses. PROCEDURE: Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT), oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), and modified insulin tolerance tests (MITT) were performed. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured in blood samples collected before and for up to 8 hours after glucose or insulin administration. RESULTS: Peak glucose concentrations during IVGTT were similar for both groups of horses, but rate of glucose clearance was 1.5 times faster in horses with PSSM than in controls. Moreover, circulating concentrations of insulin before and after glucose injection were lower in the PSSM group. Blood glucose concentrations from minute 90 to minute 300 of the OGTT were lower in horses with PSSM than in controls. The MITT resulted in acute decreases in blood glucose concentrations in both groups of horses; however, horses with PSSM sustained low blood glucose concentrations for more than 3 hours after insulin injection, whereas blood glucose concentrations in controls returned to baseline values within 2 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Quarter Horses with PSSM have enhanced cellular uptake of glucose that may be, in part, caused by an increased sensitivity to insulin. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses with PSSM have an increased rate of glucose clearance in response to insulin secretion. Thus, diets low in soluble carbohydrate may be the most effective way to decrease glycogen accumulation in skeletal muscle of these horses.

Blood glucose clearance after feeding and exercise in polysaccharide storage myopathy.

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in Quarter Horses (QH) and QH crosses is a glycogen storage disorder in which blood glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity, following an i.v. or oral glucose challenge, are enhanced. Exercise is known also to enhance glucose uptake into skeletal muscle in many animal species. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on glucose clearance in PSSM and control horses when an oral carbohydrate meal (8 Mcal sweet feed) was fed following either 12 h fasting alone (NEX protocol) or following fasting and a standard exercise protocol (EX protocol). In the NEX protocol, horses fasted 12 h and then were fed 8 megacalories (Mcal) of sweet feed (2.3 kg). In the EX protocol, horses were fed sweet feed 2 h after an exercise test (SET). Blood glucose was analysed for < 480 min after feeding. Muscle biopsies were taken before and after the EX protocol. With the NEX protocol, the mean of all blood glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly lower in fed-PSSM horses than controls (P < 0.013). The EX protocol in control horses caused a less pronounced percentage change in glucose concentration from baseline following feeding compared to the NEX protocol (mean peak EX 26.5% vs. NEX 70.2%, respectively) (P < 0.0003). In PSSM horses, the EX protocol also resulted in a lower percent change in glucose concentration following feeding compared to the NEX protocol (44.7 vs. 67.5%, respectively) (P = 0.021). The magnitude of the difference in percentage change of blood glucose concentration with the EX protocol was less in PSSM than that seen for controls (mean peak PSSM-EX 44.7% vs. 26.5% for controls, respectively) (P < 0.006). No significant differences in the insulin:glucose ratios were found for control horses between NEX and EX. In PSSM horses, the insulin:glucose ratio was significantly increased in the EX vs. NEX. In conclusion, exercise in normal horses results in enhanced glucose clearance following feeding without altering insulin:glucose ratios. At rest, PSSM horses have lower insulin:glucose ratios after feeding than normal horses, however, exercise in PSSM horses significantly increases insulin:glucose ratios. This may explain the beneficial effect of daily exercise for preventing rhabdomyolysis in horses with PSSM.

Fertilidade prós-parto em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida / Post-partum fertility in thoroughbred mares

Observaram-se 549 éguas da raça Puro-Sangue de Corrida paridas durante o segundo semestre, no período de 1º de julho de 1983 a 31 de dezembro de 1994, com a finalidade de se analisar o índice de concepçäo pós-parto, a duraçäo e a fertilidade dos cios pós-parto, os percentuais de produtos nascidos no ano seguinte e relacioná-los com a idade das éguas. Verificou-se que éguas com idade superior a 13 anos apresentaram uma capacidade significativamente menor de conceber e levar a gestaçäo a termo do que éguas mais novas. O 1º cio pós-parto ocorre em média aos 12,3 (ñ10,9) dias pós-parto e, quando apresenta uma duraçäo de 8 a 14 dias, é significativamente mais fértil do que quando tem uma duraçäo fora destes limites. A taxa de prenhez observada no 2º cio pós-parto foi significativamente superior à do 1º cio pós-parto

Duraçäo da gestaçäo em relaçäo à idade de éguas da raça Puro Sangue de Corrida, aos pesos do potro e da placenta, e ao horário do parto / Gestation length related to the age in Thoroughbred mares, to placenta's and newborn foal's weight and parturition time

Este estudo foi realizado com o propósito de determinar parâmetros fisiológicos relativos ao pós-parto e puerpério na égua e potro. De 01/07/1983 a 25/11/1992 foram observados 390 partos em éguas da raça Puro Sangue de Corrida. Eguas mais velhas produziram potros e placentas mais pesados; a idade materna näo influenciou na duraçäo da gestaçäo e esta última näo esteve relacionada com o período de concepçäo ou com o peso do produto. Eguas mais velhas, com endométrio sadio, apresentaram placentas mais pesadas que éguas jovens, também saudáveis. 87,54 por cento dos partos ocorrem à noite (entre 18 horas e 7 horas) relacionando-se com períodos de tranquilidade ambiental

Influência da lavagem uterina nos índices de concepçäo pós-parto em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida / Effects of uterine flushing on post-partum conception rate in throughbred mares

Avaliou-se o efeito da lavagem uterina pós-parto com soluçäo de NaCl a 0,9 por cento ou iodo-povidine a 0,4 por cento em éguas Puro-Sangue de Corrida (PSC), em relaçäo aos índices de concepçäo pós-parto (p.p.). Foram comparadas as taxas de concentraçäo de 27 éguas, sem qualquer manipulaçäo uterina (Controle), 57 éguas com soluçäo de NaCl (I), 36 éguas com iodopovidine (II) e 15 éguas apresentando retençäo de placenta, que sofreram lavagem uterina com as duas soluçöes. Concluiu-se que as lavagens uterinas p.p., independentemente da substância utilizada, influenciaram negativamente a involuçäo e a preparaçäo do útero para a concepçäo, só estando indicadas em éguas com retençäo de placenta, desde que aplicadas até o 3§ ou 4§ dia p.p.

Diagnóstico precoce de gestaçäo na égua através da ultra-sonografia / Early pregnancy diagnosis in the mare using ultrasound

Cento e onze períodos de gestaçäo, em éguas Puro Sangue de Corrida, foram diagnosticados com ultra-som 14 dias após a última cobertura e sua evoluçäo acompanhada até completar 50 dias. O crescimento, as alteraçöes de forma da vesícula embrionária, a visualizaçäo do embriäo e outros parâmetros a serem levados em consideraçäo por ocasiäo da avaliaçäo do desenvolvimento da gestaçäo säo aqui relatados