High Seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in Thoroughbred Farms in Southern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to carry out a serological survey to identify the seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in six Thoroughbred farms in the Southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. During 2019 and 2020, blood samples from 686 Thoroughbred horses were obtained from six different breeding farms. Horses were divided into groups according to age: (1) broodmares (>5 years), (2) two-year-old foals, (3) yearlings, and (4) 0-6 months-old foals.

Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio in neonatal foals with sepsis.

Background: Rapid and accurate markers to aid diagnosis of sepsis are needed in neonatal foals. The CBC variable red blood cell distribution width (RDW) to platelet ratio (RPR) is associated with inflammatory response and linked to poor outcomes of sepsis in human patients.

Hypothesis: Explore the correlation of RPR with sepsis in neonatal foals and evaluate RPR predictive and prognostic value.

Peripheral blood markers of sepsis in foals born from mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal death during the first-week postfoaling. Despite recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in the newborn foal, the non-specific clinical signs and subtle nature of this disease may result in delayed diagnosis until severe progression of the disease; thus, early detection of sepsis remains critical for a favourable outcome. This study aimed to identify early blood markers as predictive of sepsis on foals.

Immunolocalization of Leptin and its Receptor (ObR-b) in Equine Placenta at Term and Plasma Level Measurement in the Late Gestation.

Placental tissues from humans, rodents, and farm animal contain leptin and its receptor. Expression of leptin has already been described in horses, although there is no description about immunolocalization of leptin and its receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of leptin and ObR-b in the equine placenta at term by immunofluorescence staining, and the changes on plasma leptin concentrations during late gestation.

Histomorphometry of the placental vasculature and microcotyledons in Thoroughbred mares with chronic laminitis.

The objective of this study was to assess the placental vasculature and microcotyledons in pregnant mares with chronic laminitis. Twenty-six pregnant mares were enrolled in the study, 13 had chronic laminitis (Laminitis Group) and 13 were healthy mares (Healthy Group). Arterial systolic pressure and heart rate were measured in the last 30 days of gestation.

Vitrification of equine oocytes with a polyvinyl alcohol after in vitro maturation with equine growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I.

Background: In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are limited by the inability to mature equine oocytes on in vitro methods.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate structural integrity of equine oocytes subjected to vitrification with a synthetic polymer (PVA).

Methods: The effect of eGH and its relationship with IGF-I on in vitro maturation (IVM) were evaluated.