Effect of constant rate infusion of detomidine with and without vatinoxan on blood glucose and insulin concentrations in horses.

Objective: To assess the effects of an α-adrenoceptor agonist (detomidine) constant rate infusion (CRI) with and without an α-adrenoceptor antagonist (vatinoxan) CRI on blood insulin and glucose concentrations, heart rate, intestinal borborygmi, and sedation during and after infusion in horses.

Study Design: Randomized, blinded, crossover, experimental study.

Animals: A total of nine healthy, adult Finnhorse mares.

Lipid species profiling of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells of horses housed on two different bedding materials.

The lipidome of equine BALF cells has not been described. The objectives of this prospective repeated-measures study were to explore the BALF cells' lipidome in horses and to identify lipids associated with progression or resolution of airway inflammation. BALF cells from 22 horses exposed to two bedding materials (Peat 1-Wood shavings [WS]-Peat 2) were studied by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

The effects of obesity and insulin dysregulation on mare reproduction, pregnancy, and foal health: a review.

Obesity is a growing welfare concern in modern equine populations and predisposes horses to disturbances in energy metabolism such as insulin dysregulation. However, equine metabolic syndrome has only been recognized in recent decades. Functioning energy metabolism is pivotal to normal body homeostasis and affects essentially all organ systems, including reproduction.

Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Comparison of Two Peat Beddings, Wood Pellet, and Straw Pellet.

The effects of bedding material on air quality are important amongst horses worldwide. Respiratory diseases, especially equine asthma, are highly prevalent with air hygiene playing a major role on the pathophysiology of these diseases. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of four bedding materials on the respiratory signs, tracheal mucus score, and tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology in healthy adult horses.

Variation in insulin response to oral sugar test in a cohort of horses throughout the year and evaluation of risk factors for insulin dysregulation.

Background: The oral sugar test (OST) is commonly used to diagnose insulin dysregulation (ID) and equine metabolic syndrome; however, possible seasonal changes in OST results have not been evaluated.

Objective: To determine the possible variation in insulin response to OST throughout the year and risk factors associated with maximum insulin concentration (InsMax) and ID.

Study Design: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study.

Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Crossover Study Comparing Peat and Wood Shavings.

Bedding materials affect stable air hygiene, and thus the development and exacerbation of equine asthma. There is limited knowledge concerning the effects of different types of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of bedding materials on respiratory signs, tracheal mucus score, and lower airway cytology in healthy adult horses.

Insulin dysregulation in a population of Finnhorses and associated phenotypic markers of obesity.

Background: Obesity and insulin dysregulation (ID) predispose horses to laminitis. Determination of management practices or phenotypic markers associated with ID may benefit animal welfare.

Objectives: Determine ID status of a population of Finnhorses using an oral sugar test (OST) and compare phenotypes and management factors between ID and non-ID Finnhorses.

Long-term follow-up on recovery, return to use and sporting activity: a retrospective study of 236 operated colic horses in Finland (2006-2012).

Background: Surgical treatment of colic is expensive and complications may occur. Information on the prognosis and the use of the horse after surgery for colic is important for surgeons and owners. Current literature on return to athletic function after celiotomy is limited.

Serum insulin concentration in horses: Effect of storage and handling.

Serum insulin concentration is commonly measured during investigation of suspected endocrinopathic disease in horses, but immediate analysis is frequently unavailable. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of storing samples at room temperature for 72 h as serum and as whole blood, compared to immediate separation and freezing. Samples from 14 horses were evaluated.

Relationships among Body Condition, Insulin Resistance and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Gene Expression during the Grazing Season in Mares.

Obesity and insulin resistance have been shown to be risk factors for laminitis in horses. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of changes in body condition during the grazing season on insulin resistance and the expression of genes associated with obesity and insulin resistance in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Sixteen Finnhorse mares were grazing either on cultivated high-yielding pasture (CG) or semi-natural grassland (NG) from the end of May to the beginning of September.

Morphological and cellular changes in secondary epidermal laminae of horses with insulin-induced laminitis.

Objective: To determine cellular changes associated with secondary epidermal laminae (SEL) in forefeet and hind feet of ponies with insulin-induced laminitis.

Animals: 8 ponies.

Procedures: Laminitis was induced in 4 ponies by IV administration of insulin and glucose; 4 control ponies received saline (0.

Probiotic properties of Lactobacillus isolates originating from porcine intestine and feces.

In this study, a total of 94 lactic acid bacterial (LAB) isolates of porcine small intestinal and fecal origin were screened for their probiotic properties. The aim was to evaluate whether their isolation site and putative species identity play a role in these characteristics and whether either of these can be used as a predictive factor for the probiotic potential of bacterial isolates. The isolates were preliminarily identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and characterized in vitro for their pH and bile tolerance, adhesion capacity towards porcine enterocytes isolated from five intestinal sites and for antimicrobial activity towards five indicator pathogens.