Racing and sales performance after unilateral or bilateral single transphyseal screw insertion for varus angular limb deformities of the carpus in 53 thoroughbreds

Objective: To evaluate the racing and sales performance of Thoroughbred horses with varus angular limb deformities of the carpus treated by unilateral or bilateral single transphyseal screw (STS) placement. Study Design: Case series. Animals: Thoroughbred horses (n=53). Methods: Medical records (January 1, 2005–December 31, 2006) of yearling Thoroughbreds treated for carpal angular limb deformity by transphyseal screw insertion in the distal aspect of the radius were reviewed. Retrieved data were sex, surgery, and screw removal dates, surgical site, appearance, limb(s) affected, type of angular limb deformity, and degree of angular deviation measured by a goniometer. Racing and sales data were collected for analysis from an online racing site for all treated horses and their maternal siblings. Results: No significant differences were identified between treated horses and their maternal siblings in yearling sale price, 2‐year‐olds in training sale price, percent starters, percent winners, and starts, earnings, and earnings/start made during the 2‐ and 3‐year old years. Conclusions: No deleterious effects on sales or racing performance were identified after use of STS in the distal aspect of the radius of Thoroughbreds for the treatment of varus angular limb deformities of the carpus.     

甘孜藏牛mtDNA 基因组遗传多样性分析

［目的］探究甘孜藏牛的mtDNA基因组遗传多样性与母系起源。［方法］采用mtDNA全基因组序列比对及生物信息学方法。［结果］结果显示：在28头甘孜藏牛mtDNA 基因组中,共检测到1232个变异位点,确定了22种单倍型,其单倍型多样度（Hd）为0.98820±0.00010,核苷酸多样度（Pi）为0.02420±0.00003,表明甘孜藏牛具有丰富的母系遗传多样性。系统发育树和网络分布图表明,28头甘孜藏牛mtDNA基因组包括4种母系支系,分别为普通牛的T2、T3与T4支系,还有牦牛支系,其中T2支系占7.14%,T3支系占64.29%,T4支系占3.57%,牦牛支系占25 %。［结论］甘孜藏牛具有较丰富的母系遗传多样性,为普通牛母系起源,但与牦牛有杂交。     

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Three Newly Discovered Native Chicken Breeds in Yunnan Using mtDNA D-loop Region Sequences

This study was aimed to evaluate the information of their genetic background of Frizzle chicken (FM),Naked-neck chicken (CB) and YN chicken (YN) that were three newly discovered native chicken genetic resources with excellent characteristics,which had been found in Nujiang prefecture and mountainous area of Yunnan province.The variation in a total of 168 individuals sampled from the three chicken populations was assessed using the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region sequences as genetic marker.The results showed that there were a total of 27 haplotypes were defined in the three native chicken as well as the haplotype diversity of these three chicken were 0.947,0.938 and 0.596,respectively.The nucleotide diversity of these three chicken were 0.01268,0.01434 and 0.00239,respectively.Phylogenetic tree displayed that all 168 individuals distributed in maternal lineage A,B,C,E,F and G.Frizzle chicken contained lineages E,F and G,and Naked-neck chicken contained all 6 lineages,of which the main lineages were E,F and G.YN chicken included lineages E,F and G,and lineage E was the highest percentage in this population.Also,it found that YN chicken was closely related to Gallus gallus murghi,White Plymouth Rock chicken,White Leghorn chicken and New Hampshires chicken,while Naked-neck chicken was closely related to Gallus gallus spadiceus,Gallus gallus jabouillei,Gallus gallus gallus Linnaeus,Indonesian cockfight and Laos chicken.The Frizzle chickens shared more haplotypes with Naked-neck chicken,and the evolutionary relationship between the two species was closer.This study provided a basis for the origin and genetic assessment of three newly discovered Yunnan local chicken breeds.     

Retrospective study of outcome following desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon for type 1 flexural deformity in Thoroughbreds

Objective Determine the long‐term outcome for Thoroughbreds undergoing desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (DAL‐DDFT) for type 1 flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). Design Retrospective matched cohort study Procedure Medical records were retrieved over a 17‐year period for Thoroughbreds that underwent DAL‐DDFT for type 1 flexural deformity. Long‐term outcome was determined by analysis of race records and comparison with maternal siblings. Comparisons between cases and controls included 2‐year‐old, 3‐year‐old and total career performance data. Results There were 46 cases of DAL‐DDFT. The mean age at surgery was 151 days (median 118, range 2–562); 48% of case horses and 77% of 90 controls started in a race. For case horses that did race, the time to first race, total number of starts and prize money per race were not significantly different to maternal siblings. Age at the time of surgery did not alter the likelihood of starting a race. Conclusion Thoroughbreds undergoing DAL‐DDFT for type 1 flexural deformity of the DIPJ are less likely to race when compared with their maternal siblings. For those that do race, the time to first race, total races and earnings per race are not different from controls. There is no evidence to suggest that age at the time of surgery influences the likelihood of racing.     

Racing Performance in 72 Racehorses Treated with Prosthetic Laryngoplasty for Laryngeal Hemiplegia

The purpose of this study was to compare racing performance before and after prosthetic laryngoplasty for treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia in inexperienced (horses without at least one start before surgery) and experienced (horses with at least one start before surgery) Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses. Medical records of 54 Thoroughbred and 18 Quarter Horse racehorses or horses intended for racing treated with prosthetic laryngoplasty and unilateral ventriculectomy for laryngeal hemiplegia were reviewed. Signalment, age at the time of surgery, resting endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, surgical procedure, and type of suture were recorded. Median performance index (PI), earnings, distance, and Beyer speed figure (BSF) per start for three races before and after surgery were compared, and factors associated with improved postsurgical performance were evaluated. Seventy-three percent of horses that had not raced before surgery and 84% of horses that competed in at least one race before surgery were able to return to racing after surgery. Fifty-nine percent and 27% of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, respectively, were able to improve their PI after surgery. Sixty-two percent and 20% of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, respectively, significantly increased their distance after surgery. Additionally, 61% and 66% of racehorses were able to increase their earnings and BSF after surgery, respectively. Horses treated with laryngoplasty and unilateral ventriculectomy have a good prognosis for return to racing. Inexperienced racehorses have a better prognosis for improvement after surgery than do experienced racehorses. Thoroughbred racehorses have a better success rate than Quarter Horse racehorses.     

Empirical Percentile Growth Curves with Z-scores Considering Seasonal Compensatory Growths for Japanese Thoroughbred Horses

Percentile growth curves are often used as a clinical indicator to evaluate variations of children’s growth status. In this study, we propose empirical percentile growth curves using Z-scores adapted for Japanese Thoroughbred horses, with considerations of the seasonal compensatory growth that is a typical characteristic of seasonal breeding animals. We previously developed new growth curve equations for Japanese Thoroughbreds adjusting for compensatory growth. Individual horses and residual effects were included as random effects in the growth curve equation model and their variance components were estimated. Based on the Z-scores of the estimated variance components, empirical percentile growth curves were constructed. A total of 5,594 and 5,680 body weight and age measurements of male and female Thoroughbreds, respectively, and 3,770 withers height and age measurements were used in the analyses. The developed empirical percentile growth curves using Z-scores are computationally feasible and useful for monitoring individual growth parameters of body weight and withers height of young Thoroughbred horses, especially during compensatory growth periods.     

The inheritance of liability to epistaxis in the southern African Thoroughbred

This study was carried out to estimate the heritability of liability to epistaxis in the southern African Thoroughbred population. Data of all horses that suffered epistaxis while racing in southern Africa and Mauritius from 1986 to 2002 and involving 1252 bleeders were analysed. Pedigree data covering the period 1960-1986 was used as required to calculate the incidence of bleeding amongst ancestors of the post-1986 era. Only pedigrees of horses that raced were included in this study as it was not possible to predict whether non-runners would have bled had they raced. Consequently all non-runners and also those that raced overseas in countries where bleeding occurrence was not recorded, were excluded. The heritability of liability method as described by Falconer (1989) was used to estimate the relative importance of heredity and environment. For the period investigated, the population incidence for epistaxis in southern African horses was 2.1%. The estimation of heritability of liability showed that 1st-degree relatives had a figure of 55.4%. Second-degree relatives had a heritability of 41.3% and 3rd-degree relatives came in at 30.4%. The heritability of liability shown in this study could be regarded as being at the lower end of the range but could be appreciably higher. The data depict horses that bled almost exclusively on race days, as only a small percentage (approximately 5%) was reported as having bled during exercise. Accordingly, the full extent of epistaxis amongst racing Thoroughbreds in southern Africa is difficult to gauge. It is clear that epistaxis in the racing Thoroughbred has a strong genetic basis. It is suggested that horses showing frankbleeding from the nostrils after racing or exercise be suspended, and not used for breeding purposes. This should result in relatively fast progress being made towards eradicating this costly scourge of the modern Thoroughbred racehorse.     

建昌马mtDNA D-loop区遗传多样性及系统进化分析

试验旨在以线粒体DNA(mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA)为切入点,研究建昌马的母系遗传多样性与系统进化。从建昌马(n=39)血液中提取基因组DNA,用PCR方法扩增mtDNA D-loop区并直接测序,分析其高变区247 bp序列信息,统计mtDNA D-loop区的单倍型及变异位点,计算单倍型多样性(haplotype diversity,Hd)、核苷酸多样性(nucleotide diversity,Pi)和平均核苷酸变异数(average number of nucleotide differences,K)。构建包括建昌马在内的19个品种马的NJ系统进化树,计算各品种间的遗传距离。结果显示,试验获得了清晰的PCR扩增产物,并通过直接测序方法获得了约1200 bp的序列。39匹建昌马mtDNA D-loop区247 bp序列(其中1个样品缺失1 bp)的AT碱基含量为61.45%,属AT碱基对富集区,检测到33个多态性位点,共显示26种单倍型,其中4种为共享单倍型,且Hap7和Hap1为优势单倍型,单倍型多样性为0.947,核苷酸多样性为0.02399,平均核苷酸变异数为5.901,显示丰富的母系遗传多样性;NJ系统进化树显示,建昌马分布在A、C、D、E、F、G共6个支系中,约50%的样品分布在A支系,显示出复杂的母系起源;建昌马与关中马的遗传距离最小(0.021),其次是三河马、文山马、韩国车巨马(0.024),与韩国济州岛马遗传距离最大(0.032)。本研究结果表明,建昌马的mtDNA D-loop高变区遗传多样性丰富,具有多个母系起源,且A支系占有明显优势,与关中马、文山马可能有共同的母系起源。     

Arthroscopic removal of fractures of the lateral malleolus of the tibia in the tarsocrural joint: A retrospective study of 13 cases

There is limited information on the treatment of lateral malleolus (LM) fractures in the horse, with no previously published case series for the outcome following arthroscopic removal of such fractures. This report reviews and evaluates findings of a retrospective study of 13 horses admitted to a private equine referral hospital over a 10 year period (1999–2009) that underwent arthroscopic removal of fractures of the LM. Hospital records were reviewed and details including patient history, aetiology of the fracture and limb affected, results of all diagnostic tests and surgical reports were documented. Performance information concerning Thoroughbred horses that went onto race post operatively was collected using an online database. Owners and trainers were contacted regarding the return to performance for non‐Thoroughbred cases or those that did not go onto race post operatively. Of the 13 horses presented, 12 were Thoroughbreds, 9 of which were National Hunt racehorses and 3 were Flat racehorses. The other horse in the study was used for general purpose riding. All cases presented with an acute unilateral fracture. Eleven of the 13 had >6 months post operative follow‐up and all were nonlame. Of the 12 Thoroughbreds, 10 have raced again, a total of 104 times (median 5 times). The median time from surgery to return to racing was 241 days (180–366 days). It is concluded that horses with fractures of the LM have an excellent prognosis for return to full athletic performance following arthroscopic debridement; and that arthroscopic fragment removal is an appropriate treatment method for fractures of the LM.     

A fine map for maternal lineage analysis by mitochondrial hypervariable region in 12 Chinese goat breeds

As the fast pace of genomic research continues to identify mitochondrial lineages in animals, it has become apparent that many independent studies are needed to support a robust phylogenetic inference. The aim of this study was thus to further characterize the maternal lineage, proposed to originate in southwestern region of China, using a wider survey of diverse goat breeds in China. To this end, we sequenced the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the mtDNA control region in 145 goats of 12 Chinese breeds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chinese goats were classified into four distinct lineages (A, B, C and D) as previously reported. A Mantel test and the analysis of Analysis of Molecular Variance (ANOVA) indicated that there was not an obvious geographic structure among Chinese goat breeds. Population expansion analysis based on mismatch distribution and Fu's Fs statistic indicate that two expansion events in Chinese goats occurred respectively at about 11 and 29 mutational time units ago, revealing two star-like subclades in lineage B corresponding to two population expansion events. Moreover, lineage B sequences were presented only in the breeds of southwestern or surrounding regions of China. Multiple lines of evidence from this study and previous studies indicate that for Chinese goats mtDNA lineage B originated from the southwestern region of China.     

Comparison of plasma biochemical parameters in Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian horses during the same-intensity exercise

The objective of the present study was to compare changes of blood parameters induced by the same work and performed in the same conditions in two racehorse breeds, Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian. The effect of moderate-intensity exercise was studied in 20 stallions--ten Thoroughbreds, aged 2-3 years and the same number of Purebred Arabians, 3-4 years old. All the horses were administrated the same effort test consisting in 1200 m gallop at a speed typical of the daily training sessions. Three jugular venous blood samples were collected for each horse: at rest, just after the end of the gallop and after 30-minute rest. In the gathered blood, a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was determined as well as plasma level of glucose (Glc), triacylglycerols (TG), glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), total plasma proteins (TP) and the activity of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). In the Arabian horses, an increase in levels of TP, glycerol, FFA and CK activity measured just after exercise was higher than that in Thoroughbreds. Similarly, after a 30-minute rest, a post-exercise rise of TP, AST, glycerol and FFA proved to be higher in the Arabian horses compared to that in the Thoroughbreds. Only TG plasma concentration measured 30 minutes following the effort was significantly lower in the Arabian horses than in Thoroughbreds. It can be concluded that the Thoroughbred horses adapted better to the effort test applied in this study as compared to the Purebred Arabian horses. The parameters related to lipid metabolism proved to be the most sensitive indicators of breed differences in relation to moderate-intensity exercise.     

Abnormal regulation of muscle contraction in horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether abnormal regulation of muscle contraction similar to that associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH) was evident in intact external intercostal muscle cells from Thoroughbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). ANIMALS: 5 adult Thoroughbred horses with RER and 7 clinically normal adult Thoroughbred or mixed-breed horses. PROCEDURES: Twitch time course variables and contracture responses to various concentrations of potassium, caffeine, and halothane were measured in small bundles of intact external intercostal muscle cells from clinically normal horses and horses with RER. RESULTS: Threshold for significant contracture induced by potassium depolarization was lower for RER-affected muscles, compared with normal muscles, although the relationship between potassium concentration and membrane potential were not different. Thresholds for contracture induced by caffeine and halothane were also lower for RER-affected muscles, compared with normal muscles. Lower thresholds for caffeine- and halothane-induced contractures, as well as depolarization-elicited contractures, in RER-affected muscles suggest a defect in myoplasmic calcium regulation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Regulation of muscle contraction is abnormal in Thoroughbreds with RER. The specific defect may be attributable to abnormal intracellular calcium regulation. Knowledge of the specific defect involved in RER may lead to improved prevention and treatment of RER-affected horses.     

Resting concentrations of cardiac troponin I in fit horses and effect of racing

ObjectivesTo determine normal resting values for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in healthy Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Warmblood horses and investigate if racing has an influence on cTnI concentrations.BackgroundMeasuring cTnI concentrations in plasma is the gold standard for detecting myocardial injury in humans. Cardiac troponin I is highly conserved between species and has gained interest as a marker for cardiac injury in horses. Increased levels of cTnI have been reported in association with endurance and short-term strenuous exercise on a treadmill in horses. However, the effect of true racing conditions has not yet been reported.Animals, materials and methodsBlood samples for analysis of cTnI concentrations in plasma were collected from 67 Standardbred racehorses, 34 Thoroughbred racehorses and 35 Warmblood dressage horses at rest. Blood samples were also collected prior to and after racing in 22 Standardbred racehorses and 6 Thoroughbred racehorses.ResultsAll horses except one had resting plasma cTnI concentrations <0.022 μg/L. Mild increases in cTnI concentrations were seen in some horses 1–2 h after the race (1/17 Standardbreds and 2/6 Thoroughbreds) as well as 10–14 h after the race (4/21 Standardbreds and 1/6 Thoroughbreds).ConclusionsResting cTnI concentrations in horses are low but mildly elevated cTnI concentrations may be detected in some horses 1–14 h after racing. These findings could be of importance when evaluating horses with suspected cardiac disease that recently have performed hard exercise.     

Stress fractures of the tibia and humerus in Thoroughbred racehorses: 99 cases (1992-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics of and outcome in Thoroughbred racehorses with tibial or humeral stress fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 99 Thoroughbreds with tibial or humeral stress fractures. PROCEDURE: Information obtained from the medical records included history, signalment, and clinical, radiographic, and scintigraphic findings. Outcome was determined by interviewing trainers, performing follow-up examinations, and analyzing race records. RESULTS: Seventy-four tibial stress fractures were identified in 61 Thoroughbreds, and 48 humeral stress fractures were identified in 39 Thoroughbreds (1 horse was included in both groups). Tibial stress fractures occurred most commonly in 2-year-old or unraced horses. Fractures were located in 1 of 3 sites in the tibia (most commonly, the caudolateral cortex of the mid-diaphysis) and 1 of 4 sites in the humerus (most commonly, the caudodistal cortex). Forty-four of 58 (76%) tibial stress fractures and 18 of 32 (56%) humeral stress fractures were identified radiographically. Humeral stress fractures involving the caudodistal cortex were not detected radiographically. Treatment consisted of rest and exercise restriction, and 49 of 61 (80%) horses with tibial stress fractures and 30 of 39 (77%) horses with humeral stress fractures returned to racing. Humeral stress fractures recurred in 6 horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that in Thoroughbred racehorses, tibial stress fractures occurred most commonly in unraced 2 year olds, whereas humeral fractures occurred most commonly in older horses that had raced previously. The prognosis for racing following treatment was good.     

A case control study of racing throughbreds conditioned on a high speed treadmill

The racing performance of 107 Thoroughbreds being trained using the treadmill for at least fifty percent of their program for at least 60 days prior to the initiation of racing was evaluated in a case control study. Two control horses were selected from the first race start for each treadmill trained horse. Information obtained included age, placings, earnings during the meet, race type and number of starts. A total point score was calculated for each horse. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of covariance. A total of 321 Thoroughbred horses were used in the study. The cases had higher scores than the controls, and 4-year-old stakes and allowance horses trained on the treadmill earned more money than the controls. This retrospective study demonstrated that Thoroughbred horses can be effectively trained for racing using a high-speed treadmill as part of the conditioning program.     

Phylogenetic relationships of German heavy draught horse breeds inferred from mitochondrial DNA D-loop variation

Summary We analysed a 610-bp mitochondrial (mt)DNA D-loop fragment in a sample of German draught horse breeds and compared the polymorphic sites with sequences from Arabian, Hanoverian, Exmoor, Icelandic, Sorraia and Przewalski's Horses as well as with Suffolk, Shire and Belgian horses. In a total of 65 horses, 70 polymorphic sites representing 47 haplotypes were observed. The average percentage of polymorphic sites was 11.5% for the mtDNA fragment analysed. In the nine different draught horse breeds including South German, Mecklenburg, Saxon Thuringa coldblood, Rhenisch German, Schleswig Draught Horse, Black Forest Horse, Shire, Suffolk and Belgian, 61 polymorphic sites and 24 haplotypes were found. The phylogenetic analysis failed to show monophyletic groups for the draught horses. The analysis indicated that the draught horse populations investigated consist of diverse genetic groups with respect to their maternal lineage.     

Calcium sensitivity of force production and myofibrillar ATPase activity in muscles from Thoroughbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the basis for recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) in Thoroughbreds lies in an alteration in the activation and regulation of the myofibrillar contractile apparatus by ionized calcium. ANIMALS: 4 Thoroughbred mares with RER and 4 clinically normal (control) Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURES: Single chemically-skinned type-I (slow-twitch) and type-II (fast-twitch) muscle fibers were obtained from punch biopsy specimens, mounted to a force transducer, and the tensions that developed in response to a series of calcium concentrations were measured. In addition, myofibril preparations were isolated from muscle biopsy specimens and the maximal myofibrillar ATPase activity, as well as its sensitivity to ionized calcium, were measured. RESULTS: Equine type-I muscle fibers were more readily activated by calcium than were type-II muscle fibers. However, there was no difference between the type-II fibers of RER-affected and control horses in terms of calcium sensitivity of force production. There was also no difference between muscle myofibril preparations from RER-affected and control horses in calcium sensitivity of myofibrillar ATPase activity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An alteration in myofibrillar calcium sensitivity is not a basis for pathologic contracture development in muscles from RER-affected horses. Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis in Thoroughbreds may represent a novel heritable defect in the regulation of muscle excitation-contraction coupling or myoplasmic calcium concentration.     

Lineage diversification and niche evolution in the Reeves’ Butterfly Lizard Leiolepis reevesii (Agamidae)

We used mitochondrial cytochrome b and ND4 genes and 9 microsatellite loci to determine genetic diversity, population structure, evolutionary history, and migration patterns within the Reeves’ butterfly lizard Leiolepis reevesii (Agamidae). Considering molecular-based phylogeographical lineages, we then performed niche equivalency and similarity tests between divergent lineages. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data revealed 2 lineages (A and B) diverging ≈0.84 million years ago and, respectively, restricted to the northern and southern portions of the Wuzhishan and Yinggeling mountain ranges. Lineage B contains individuals from southern Hainan; Lineage A includes individuals from all other localities and can be further divided into 3 clusters according to microsatellite data. The null hypothesis that the 2 lineages shared identical niches was rejected in all niche equivalency tests, indicating niche shifts during genetic divergence. Similarity tests provided evidence of niche conservatism, suggesting that the 2 lineages share more characteristics of their niche spaces than randomly expected. The niche similarity and equivalency tests indicated a complex niche pattern in which both lineages share a main portion of their ecological spaces. The climatic niche of Lineage B represented a marginal and specialized fraction of the entire ecological space of the climatic niche of Lineage A, with warmer conditions. Isolation caused by orogenesis and subsequent niche divergence, together with local adaptation, may have led to genetic differentiation and further lineage sorting in L. reevesii.