Review of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae as venereal pathogens in horses.

Three bacteria extensively acknowledged as venereal pathogens with the potential to induce endometritis include Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM), specific strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and certain capsule types of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The United Kingdom's Horserace Betting Levy Board recommends pre-breeding screening for these bacteria in their International Codes of Practice and >20 000 samples are tested per annum in the United Kingdom alone. While the pathogenesis and regulatory importance of CEM are well established, an evaluation of the literature pertaining to venereal transmission of P.

Immunocontraceptive Efficacy of Native Porcine Zona Pellucida (pZP) Treatment of Nevada's Virginia Range Free-Roaming Horse Population.

In North America, range constraints due to burgeoning development increasingly encroach on wild horse habitat and necessitate effective but humane reproductive management. The largest free-roaming wild horse fertility control program by population (>3500) and territory size (≈300,000 acres) is located within Nevada's Virginia Range. Data from a field study investigated porcine zona pellucida (pZP) immunocontraception via remote dart delivery to mares in this population.

Effects of an anti-gonadoliberin releasing hormone vaccine on testicular, epididymal and spermatogenic development in the horse.

The effects of the GnRH vaccine Improvac on testicular and epididymal morphometrics, histology and spermatogenesis were measured in 19 young (15-20 months) colts randomly assigned to one control (saline, castration at 57 days, n = 6) or either of two GnRH vaccine-treatment groups, T-57 (castration at 57 days, n = 7) or T-100 (castration at 100 days, n = 6), respectively. All were immunized on Day 0 with a single booster on Day 28. Excised testes and epididymides were weighed and processed for histology to measure tubule, epithelial and muscle dimensions, the ratio of interstitial tissue to seminiferous tubules and determine the stage of spermatogenesis.

Vaccination against GnRH as a prelude to surgical castration of horses.

Background: Surgical castration is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in horses and is associated with various post-surgical complications ranging in severity.

Objectives: We investigated the effects of administering an anti-GnRH vaccine to colts for reduction of testis size on the incidence of complications associated with their subsequent surgical castration.

Study Design: Randomised open controlled trial.

Distribution of uterine histological changes in aged captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

The histological effect on the felid uterus of sterilization, via ovariectomy or salpingectomy, is currently unknown. To investigate the association of ovariectomy or salpingectomy with uterine health, it is first necessary to establish if changes are distributed evenly throughout the uterus. Both laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy with concurrent sampling of the tip of the uterine horn are possible in the cheetah.

Direct culture-independent sequence typing of obtained from genital swabs and frozen semen samples from South African horses.

We report herein the use of crude extracts obtained from samples of -infected horses for the purpose of multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Samples ( = 36) were collected from horses in South Africa from 1996 to 2017: 34 from genital swabs (stored at -20°C for 2-3 y) and 2 from cryopreserved raw semen aliquots (stored at -70°C for 18 y) prior to assay. The MLST assay showed a single sequence type (ST), designated ST4, that supported a point introduction and thus a common source for the South African outbreak of contagious equine metritis.

Researching immunocontraceptive vaccines with mares (Equus caballus) as both a target and model for African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cows: A review.

A sequence of studies is reviewed that reported the domestic horse (Equus caballus) mare as an appropriate and accessible research platform for recording clinical and laboratory data post-immunisation with anti- GnRH and -zona pellucida (ZP) immunocontraceptive vaccines. Experience with a native porcine ZP (pZP) vaccine in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cows highlighted needs for improving vaccine formulations and more clearly defining associated ovarian effects and safety profiles. Initially, the efficacy, reversibility and safety of the GnRH vaccine Improvac in mares was demonstrated using reproductive tract ultrasonography and concurrently measuring serum antibody titres and progesterone concentrations.

Failure to detect equid herpesvirus types 1 and 4 DNA in placentae and healthy new-born Thoroughbred foals.

Equid herpesvirus type 1 is primarily a respiratory tract virus associated with poor athletic performance that can also cause late gestation abortion, neonatal foal death and encephalomyelopathy. Horizontal transmission is well described, whereas evidence of vertical transmission of equid herpesvirus type 1 associated with the birth of a healthy foal has not been demonstrated. This study sampled a population of Thoroughbred mares (n = 71), and their healthy neonatal foals and foetal membranes, to test for the presence of both equid herpesvirus types 1 and 4 using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay.

Serum antibody immunoreactivity and safety of native porcine and recombinant zona pellucida vaccines formulated with a non-Freund's adjuvant in horses.

Commercial and regulatory limitations associated with native porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccines formulated with Freund's adjuvants may be overcome by developing effective recombinant ZP vaccines (reZP) and identifying alternative adjuvant formulations. A two-part preparatory study used 15 geldings and identified potentially effective alternative adjuvant formulations based on anti-pZP antibody response following treatment with pZP formulated with Addavax (AddaVax ™, Invivogen), Quil A (Quil-A® Adjuvant, Invivogen), Quil A and Poly (I:C) (HMW VacciGrade™, Invivogen), Pet Gel A (Montanide™ Pet Gel A, Seppic) and Pet Gel A and Poly (I:C). Injection site reactions, rectal temperature and respiratory and heart rates were also monitored for three days post-treatment.

Ovarian function following immunocontraceptive vaccination of mares using native porcine and recombinant zona pellucida vaccines formulated with a non-Freund's adjuvant and anti-GnRH vaccines.

An important determinant in the selection of any contraceptive agent is the impact on ovarian function, both in the short and longer term. In this study, ovarian activity was monitored in mares immunised with one of the following vaccine formulations; native porcine zona pellucida (pZP), recombinant zona pellucida proteins ZP3 and ZP4 (reZP), pZP and reZP combined or a commercially available anti-GnRH vaccine. The ZP antigens were prepared in an adjuvant formulation consisting of 6% polymeric adjuvant (Montanide™ PetGel A, Seppic, France) and 500 μg polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid - TLR3-agonist (Poly(I:C) HMW VacciGrade™, Invivogen, USA).

Ovarian dysfunction associated with zona pellucida-based immunocontraceptive vaccines.

Despite more than 40 years of research into zona pellucida (ZP)-based vaccines, relatively little is known about their mechanism of action. Early research demonstrated precipitation of ZP glycoproteins by antiovarian antiserum, rendering oocytes resistant to sperm binding in vitro. Subsequent work showed significantly decreased fertilization rates following passive immunization, sparking interest in anti-ZP immunocontraception for human and animal use.

Missense Mutation in the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Horse Androgen Receptor Gene in a Thoroughbred Family with Inherited 64,XY (SRY+) Disorder of Sex Development.

Disorders of sex development (DSD) have long been documented in domestic animal species including horses. However, there is only a single report of an androgen receptor (AR) mutation causative of such a DSD syndrome in a horse pedigree. Here, we present a new familial AR mutation in horses.

Draft Genome Sequence of Taylorella equigenitalis Strain ERC_G2224 Isolated from the Semen of a Lipizzaner Stallion in South Africa.

Taylorella equigenitalis is the causative agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM), a sexually transmitted infection of horses. We report here the genome sequence of T. equigenitalis strain ERC_G2224, isolated in 2015 from a semen sample collected in 1996 from a Lipizzaner stallion in South Africa.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Sterilization of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).

Objective: To describe laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) using single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS).

Study Design: Prospective cohort.

Animals: Female cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) (n = 21).

Contagious equine metritis: artificial reproduction changes the epidemiologic paradigm.

Recent CEM outbreak reports reflect a novel epidemiologic manifestation with a markedly different risk association for transmission via artificial reproduction and subsequent to inadvertent importation of unapparent carrier stallions. Artificial breeding has an increased association with horizontal or fomite-associated transmission. Reported risk factors include inadequate biosecurity protocols at centralised breeding facilities associated with stallion management and methods of semen collection, processing and transport.

Laparoscopic sterilization of the African Lioness (Panthera leo).

Objective: To describe laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in the African lioness (Panthera leo).

Study Design: Descriptive clinical study.

Animals: Female lions (n = 16).

Non-invasive assessment of the reproductive cycle in free-ranging female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine for inducing anoestrus.

Background: In southern Africa, various options to manage elephant populations are being considered. Immunocontraception is considered to be the most ethically acceptable and logistically feasible method for control of smaller and confined populations. In this regard, the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine has not been investigated in female elephants, although it has been reported to be safe and effective in several domestic and wildlife species.

Ultrasonographic and laparoscopic evaluation of the reproductive tract of the captive female African lion (Panthera leo).

The use of transabdominal ultrasonography to assess the oestrous cycle has not been previously described in the African lion (Panthera leo). Twelve sexually mature lionesses and five female cubs had their reproductive organs assessed by transabdominal ultrasound. Ovarian findings were compared to laparoscopic findings while performing laparoscopic ovariectomy or salpingectomy.