Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immunomodulatory and mast cell stabilising properties, in skin of horses suffering from Culicoides hypersensitivity.

Lactoferrin (LF), a glycogen of the transferrin family with anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory properties, is expressed in various secretions and tissues. Cutaneous LF serves as a mast cell stabilising compound, modulates T cell activity and is found during IgE-mediated late phase reactions at allergen challenged sites. Culicoides hypersensitivity (CHS) in horses is a common IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis, characterised by an early and late phase cutaneous reaction upon allergen challenge.

Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic examinations of the avian eye: physiologic appearance, pathologic findings, and comparative biometric measurement.

Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were performed after routine ophthalmologic and ophthalmoscopic examinations in 190 eyes of six various diurnal (common buzzard [Buteo buteo L., 1758], n = 20; common kestrel [Tinnunculus tinnunculus L., 1758], n = 20) and nocturnal raptor species (barn owl [Tyto alba L.

Lactoferrin expression in the horse endometrium: relevance in persisting mating-induced endometritis.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an estrogen-regulated glycoprotein with well-described antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. The present study is the first report on LF expression in horse endometrial specimens. Mares chosen for the study were either resistant or susceptible for persisting mating-induced endometritis (PMIE) during the natural ovulatory cycle and in early pregnancy.

Increased interleukin-1beta mRNA expression in skin biopsies of horses with Culicoides hypersensitivity following challenge with Culicoides nubeculosus extract.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is a primary cytokine of the skin that has a pivotal role in keratinocyte differentiation, epidermal wound healing and host defense. Pathological increase of cutaneous IL-1beta is associated with edema formation, epidermal hyperproliferation and atopic dermatitis in humans. However, in horses the role of cutaneous IL-1beta in edema formation and allergic skin disease has not been characterised so far.

Variations in the concentration of zinc in the blood of Icelandic horses.

The effect of factors including the horses' farm environment, their sex and age and whether they suffered from summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch) on the concentrations of zinc in the plasma, whole blood and blood cells of 104 Icelandic horses was investigated. Its concentration in plasma varied significantly between farms (P<0.01), but its concentration in blood and blood cells was not influenced by any of the variables.

Acute insulin-induced hypoglycaemia does not alter IGF-1 and LH release in cyclic mares.

Lactation in the mare is associated with changes in the release of metabolic as well as reproductive hormones. Plasma glucose concentration is constantly reduced in lactating compared with non-lactating mares. Several metabolic signals have been proposed to link nutrition and somatic metabolism with reproductive function.

Effect of clenbuterol on the clearance of particles of charcoal (4 to 90 microm) from the uteri of mares.

The failure of clearance mechanisms in the mare's uterus results in persistent inflammation and is considered a major cause of subfertility. Eighteen mares, of which three were susceptible to endometritis and four had been ovariectomised, underwent charcoal clearance testing to evaluate their clearance mechanisms. This consisted of installing 500 mg of charcoal (particle size 4 to 90 microm) added to 50 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) into the uterus.

Activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipid peroxidation intensity in stallion semen during storage at 5 degrees C.

Sperm cell membranes are susceptible to peroxidative damage by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidative defence systems consisting of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) physiologically control the balance between ROS production and neutralization. In the present study the hypothesis was tested that lipid peroxidation occurs during storage of semen at 5 degrees C and that semen extender has positive effects on the antioxidative potential of equine semen.

Outcomes of hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the proximal humerus.

We reviewed 80 shoulders (72 shoulders in 71 patients) treated with hemiarthroplasty. At follow-up, 66 patients (93%) were pain-free and satisfied with their results; the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 76.6, the mean Simple Shoulder Test score was 7.

Efficacy of montelukast in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in five horses.

Five horses with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were treated with 0.11 (0.01) mg/kg bodyweight of montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, once a day for 26 days.