Haematological response associated with repeted show jumping competition in horse

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of exercise; even in human that in horse, but exercise could also represent a physical stress that challenging body homeostasis. Exercise stress pushes the body to find a dynamic equilibrium through adaptive changes to ensure proper management of stress caused by maximal exercise. These changes affect various composition of body fluids, in particular changes in blood composition including an increase in Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hematocrit (Hct) and Hemoglobin (Hgb) values and a change in Platelets (Plt) count. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of repeated jumping exercise on haematological parameters in horse.Material, Methods & Results: For this purpose we evaluated the modifications occurring in cell blood count (CBC) in horses during two international three stars *** show jumping competition performed in two consecutive weekend. After routine clinical examination, twelve well trained Italian Saddle horses were enrolled for this study. For every subject, Red blood cell (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (HGB) and platelets (PLT) were assessed. Blood samples were collected: in the morning after the meal (7:30-8:00 AM), before the beginning of the competition (R1 ) and within 10 min after competition ending (C1 S1 , C1 S2 ) and on the day after competition (R2 ). The same procedure was followed on the second weekend (C2 S1 , C2 S2 , R3 ). Whole blood samples were placed on ice pending analysis that were performed within 2 h after collection and immediately taken to the laboratory for analysis. The obtained data were analyzed with Stats package of R: R Core Team (2013). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect on sampling time (P < 0.05) concerning every studied parameter. In particular a significant increase of RBC in C1 S1, C1 S2 , C2 S1 and C2 S2 versus R1 , R2 and R3.[...](AU)

Haematological response associated with repeted show jumping competition in horse

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of exercise; even in human that in horse, but exercise could also represent a physical stress that challenging body homeostasis. Exercise stress pushes the body to find a dynamic equilibrium through adaptive changes to ensure proper management of stress caused by maximal exercise. These changes affect various composition of body fluids, in particular changes in blood composition including an increase in Red Blood Cells (RBC), Hematocrit (Hct) and Hemoglobin (Hgb) values and a change in Platelets (Plt) count. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of repeated jumping exercise on haematological parameters in horse.Material, Methods & Results: For this purpose we evaluated the modifications occurring in cell blood count (CBC) in horses during two international three stars *** show jumping competition performed in two consecutive weekend. After routine clinical examination, twelve well trained Italian Saddle horses were enrolled for this study. For every subject, Red blood cell (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin (HGB) and platelets (PLT) were assessed. Blood samples were collected: in the morning after the meal (7:30-8:00 AM), before the beginning of the competition (R1 ) and within 10 min after competition ending (C1 S1 , C1 S2 ) and on the day after competition (R2 ). The same procedure was followed on the second weekend (C2 S1 , C2 S2 , R3 ). Whole blood samples were placed on ice pending analysis that were performed within 2 h after collection and immediately taken to the laboratory for analysis. The obtained data were analyzed with Stats package of R: R Core Team (2013). One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect on sampling time (P < 0.05) concerning every studied parameter. In particular a significant increase of RBC in C1 S1, C1 S2 , C2 S1 and C2 S2 versus R1 , R2 and R3.[...]

Haematological changes following reining trials in Quarter Horses

Background: It is well known that exercise induce physiological stress on horses body system, causing signifi cant changes in blood components. Haematological changes associated with exercise have been widely analyzed to provide information about health status and athletic performance in horses. Numerous studies have been performed to investigate the response of haematological parameters to various types of exercise. However, only few studies dealt with reining horses. Reining is a typical Western discipline characterized by man oeuvres requiring fast and powerful muscle contractions and motor skills. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a reining training session on some hematological parameters. Material, Methods & Results: In the present study, eight Quarter Horses aged 5-15 years (three stallions and fi ve mares; mean body weight 480 ± 60 kg) were used to establish physiologic responses to a reining training session. All subjects were housed at the same horse training centre in Sicily, Italy. All horses were subjected to the reining pattern 5 of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), consisting of 2 large circle gallop (G1; G2), 1 small circle lope (L1), 1 stop (STOP), 4 spins (S1), 2 large circle gallop (G3; G4), 1 small circle lope (L2), 1 stop (STOP), 4 spins (S2), 1 large circle gallop (G5), lead change (LC1), 1 small circle lope (L3), 1 large circle gallop (G6), lead change (LC2), 1 large circle gallop (G7), lead change (LC3), 2 rollbacks (RB1, RB2), 1 stop (STOP) and backing (B). Blood samples were collected from each animal before (T0) and immediately after completion of the pattern (T1). Further samples were collected after 1 h (T2), 2 h (T3) and 24 h (T4) after exercise, during the recovery period…(AU)

Haematological changes following reining trials in Quarter Horses

Background: It is well known that exercise induce physiological stress on horse’s body system, causing signifi can’t changes in blood components. Haematological changes associated with exercise have been widely analyzed to provide information about health status and athletic performance in horses. Numerous studies have been performed to investigate the response of haematological parameters to various types of exercise. However, only few studies dealt with reining horses. Reining is a typical Western discipline characterized by man oeuvres requiring fast and powerful muscle contractions and motor skills. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a reining training session on some hematological parameters. Material, Methods & Results: In the present study, eight Quarter Horses aged 5-15 years (three stallions and fi ve mares; mean body weight 480 ± 60 kg) were used to establish physiologic responses to a reining training session. All subjects were housed at the same horse training centre in Sicily, Italy. All horses were subjected to the reining pattern 5 of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), consisting of 2 large circle gallop (G1; G2), 1 small circle lope (L1), 1 stop (STOP), 4 spins (S1), 2 large circle gallop (G3; G4), 1 small circle lope (L2), 1 stop (STOP), 4 spins (S2), 1 large circle gallop (G5), lead change (LC1), 1 small circle lope (L3), 1 large circle gallop (G6), lead change (LC2), 1 large circle gallop (G7), lead change (LC3), 2 rollbacks (RB1, RB2), 1 stop (STOP) and backing (B). Blood samples were collected from each animal before (T0) and immediately after completion of the pattern (T1). Further samples were collected after 1 h (T2), 2 h (T3) and 24 h (T4) after exercise, during the recovery period

Evaluation of heart rate as marker of stress during road transport in horses

Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number of horses are subjected to transport for several purpose including sport competitions, breeding and selling. In the past, horses were usually transported by train and ship however, at the present time, they move mainly by road with trailers or vans. Transport represents a potential stressor that might compromise horse performance therefore, the chance to monitor horse welfare during transportation is of great interest. The autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function have been considered suitable indicators of stress and welfare in humans and animals. Measuring the vagal tone provide a best knowledge about stress vulnerability and the magnitude of a stress response. Considering that heart rate (HR) represents the effect of the vagus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if this parameter is an affordable indicator of stress in horses subjected to different experimental conditions concerning the duration and the time of the day of road transportation. Materials, Methods & Results: Twelve clinically healthy athletic Italian Saddle horses, divided into three equal groups, were transported over two different distances (110 Km and 225 Km) at the same time of the day (5.00 pm) (group A and B), and over the same distance (110 Km) during the evening (5.00 pm) and during the morning (8.00 am) (group A and C). Each journey was divided into 3 parts (T1, T2, T3) on the basis of road characteristics: T1 and T3 periods represented the time spent travelling on secondary roads characterized by several changes of direction and average speed of 35-40 Km/h; T2 was travel duration on nearly completely rectilinear motorways with average speed of 70 Km/h. Mean HR recorded at rest for each horse was 38 ± 3 beats/min. On HR values recorded during transportation one-way ANOVA showed significant statistical differences of HR values in T2 vs T1 and T3 periods within the group A (P < 0.0001) and C (P = 0.003); no significant statistical difference was found in T1, T2 and T3 periods within group B. T tests showed that mean HR values were lower in group B than in group A, and higher in group C than group A only in T2. Discussion: Even if transport includes a series of potential stressors such as handling, loading, unloading, unfamiliar environments, oscillation and vibration of the mean of transport, noise, social regrouping, poor ventilation, deprivation of both food and water; in the present study our recordings showed that HR changed irrespective of the experimental characteristics of the journey including the different duration of each transportation. We found that neither the average speed of the mean of transport or the characteristics of the road determined significant changes in horse HR. We also found no influence of the time of the day on HR trend during transportation in horses. This might be due to the fact that HR varied when posture and other external stimuli changed during transport masking the biological rhythms that usually affect the cardiovascular activity and the HR diurnal variability that suits the needs of different levels of activity at different time of the day. On the basis of these results, HR seemed to be an extremely variable parameter profoundly affected by the temporary responses of the horses to sudden environmental incidents.

Evaluation of heart rate as marker of stress during road transport in horses / Evaluation of heart rate as marker of stress during road transport in horses

Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number of horses are subjected to transport for several purpose including sport competitions, breeding and selling. In the past, horses were usually transported by train and ship however, at the present time, they move mainly by road with trailers or vans. Transport represents a potential stressor that might compromise horse performance therefore, the chance to monitor horse welfare during transportation is of great interest. The autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function have been considered suitable indicators of stress and welfare in humans and animals. Measuring the vagal tone provide a best knowledge about stress vulnerability and the magnitude of a stress response. Considering that heart rate (HR) represents the effect of the vagus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if this parameter is an affordable indicator of stress in horses subjected to different experimental conditions concerning the duration and the time of the day of road transportation. Materials, Methods & Results: Twelve clinically healthy athletic Italian Saddle horses, divided into three equal groups, were transported over two different distances (110 Km and 225 Km) at the same time of the day (5.00 pm) (group A and B), and over the same distance (110 Km) during the evening (5.00 pm)

Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number of horses are subjected to transport for several purpose including sport competitions, breeding and selling. In the past, horses were usually transported by train and ship however, at the present time, they move mainly by road with trailers or vans. Transport represents a potential stressor that might compromise horse performance therefore, the chance to monitor horse welfare during transportation is of great interest. The autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function have been considered suitable indicators of stress and welfare in humans and animals. Measuring the vagal tone provide a best knowledge about stress vulnerability and the magnitude of a stress response. Considering that heart rate (HR) represents the effect of the vagus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if this parameter is an affordable indicator of stress in horses subjected to different experimental conditions concerning the duration and the time of the day of road transportation. Materials, Methods & Results: Twelve clinically healthy athletic Italian Saddle horses, divided into three equal groups, were transported over two different distances (110 Km and 225 Km) at the same time of the day (5.00 pm) (group A and B), and over the same distance (110 Km) during the evening (5.00 pm)

Platelet rich plasma intralesional injection as bedside therapy for tendinitis in athletic horse

Background: Tendinitis result in a considerable economic loss to the equine industry due to decreased performance, prolonged rehabilitation, recurrent injuries and early retirement. It is well known that damaged tendons have a low healing potential and old therapies often lead to mechanical side effect of a scar tissue with reduced functionality and high risks of re-injury. Regenerative therapies that induce the restoration of the tendon's normal structure and function, rather than formation of less functional scar tissue, decrease the risk of re-injury tissue repair. In particular, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy reproduce those processes of development in which there are spatial and temporal interactions between scaffold, growth factors and cell populations that lead to a normal structure and function of neo-formed tendon tissue. According to this knowledge, the aim of this study was to assess autologous PRP therapy as bedside procedure to treat equine tendon injuries. Materials, Methods & Results: Following a clinical and ultrasound examination, fifteen Thoroughbred horses affected by tendinitis of the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons were treated with intralesional injection of autologous PRP on-field preparation. On each horse blood samples were aseptically collected from the jugular vein into sterile tubes. Two sequential centrifugations of whole blood, added with Anticoagulant Citrate Dextrose Solution "A", were performed at 400 g for 10 min and at 620 g for 12 min, respectively, to obtain the PRP. After the PRP injection, horses were subjected to a standardized rehabilitation program that lasted about 6 months and an ultrasound checkup on the 50th day after the administration of PRP showed echographic aspect of the treated tendons comparable to healthy tendons. At the time of ultrasound checkup, all horses showed a marked clinical improvement. A month after completing the rehabilitation program the horses return to train and compete in 1200 m gallop competitions, on average once a month. In no case re-injury occurred within 12 months from the beginning of the therapy. Discussion: PRP treatment improves the regeneration of tissues with a low healing potential like tendons through increased levels of several growth factors including transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), that are released after platelet degranulation in the damage site and enhance tissue regeneration by stimulating cell proliferation. The effects of PRP therapy in equine tendinitis include also the enhanced gene expression of tendon matrix molecules, including cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and the increased collagen type I/collagen type III ratio, with no concomitant increase in the catabolic molecule matrix metalloproteinase. There are many methods for sampling and preparing PRP: test tubes, quadruple blood bags, apheresis, manual preparation or automatic preparation systems; but most of these methods require expensive and sophisticated technical equipment. Since treated horses showed neither local nor systemic side effect after the PRP administration, our study suggests that maintaining aseptic conditions PRP treatment is a minimally invasive and low cost therapy that is quite easy and safe to realize in the field to treat equine tendinitis. After a year follow-up all horses treated with the PRP were either performing at their previous workload and they were back in racing. None of them showed signs of re-injury.

Platelet rich plasma intralesional injection as bedside therapy for tendinitis in athletic horse / Platelet rich plasma intralesional injection as bedside therapy for tendinitis in athletic horse

Background: Tendinitis result in a considerable economic loss to the equine industry due to decreased performance, prolonged rehabilitation, recurrent injuries and early retirement. It is well known that damaged tendons have a low healing potential and old therapies often lead to mechanical side effect of a scar tissue with reduced functionality and high risks of re-injury. Regenerative therapies that induce the restoration of the tendons normal structure and function, rather than formation of less functional scar tissue, decrease the risk of re-injury tissue repair. In particular, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy reproduce those processes of development in which there are spatial and temporal interactions between scaffold, growth factors and cell populations that lead to a normal structure and function of neo-formed tendon tissue. According to this knowledge, the aim of this study was to assess autologous PRP therapy as bedside procedure to treat equine tendon injuries. Materials, Methods & Results: Following a clinical and ultrasound examination, fifteen Thoroughbred horses affected by tendinitis of the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons were treated with intralesional injection of autologous PRP on-field preparation. On each horse blood samples were aseptically collected from the jugular vein into sterile tubes. Two sequential centrifugations of whole blood, a

Background: Tendinitis result in a considerable economic loss to the equine industry due to decreased performance, prolonged rehabilitation, recurrent injuries and early retirement. It is well known that damaged tendons have a low healing potential and old therapies often lead to mechanical side effect of a scar tissue with reduced functionality and high risks of re-injury. Regenerative therapies that induce the restoration of the tendons normal structure and function, rather than formation of less functional scar tissue, decrease the risk of re-injury tissue repair. In particular, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy reproduce those processes of development in which there are spatial and temporal interactions between scaffold, growth factors and cell populations that lead to a normal structure and function of neo-formed tendon tissue. According to this knowledge, the aim of this study was to assess autologous PRP therapy as bedside procedure to treat equine tendon injuries. Materials, Methods & Results: Following a clinical and ultrasound examination, fifteen Thoroughbred horses affected by tendinitis of the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons were treated with intralesional injection of autologous PRP on-field preparation. On each horse blood samples were aseptically collected from the jugular vein into sterile tubes. Two sequential centrifugations of whole blood, a

Pattern of rectal temperature in sheep affected by foot rot

Background: Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms generated by an organism or group of organisms that have an intrinsic period of 24 h. Among the many variables that exhibit circadian rhythmicity, body temperature has received considerable attention. The circadian rhythm of body temperature is a well-documented physiological phenomen. Also, it has been shown that changes in heat loss via convection and radiation are primarily caused by variations in skin blood flow, with consequent changes in skin temperature. For this reason, foot temperature assumes a great importance both as indicator of equine laminitis and foot-and-mouth disease in sheep. Particularly, the foot rot, term loosely used to describe lameness associated with the bovine foot, is characterized by acute inflammation of the skin and adjacent soft tissue of the interdigital cleft or space in which the modifications of temperature assume a great importance. In fact, the regulation of body temperature is an essential component of the process of fever, which plays an important role in an organism's response to infection and disease, and its manipulation is a standard procedure in various surgical and therapeutic procedures. In this regards, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of rectal temperature (RT) both in healthy Comisana sheep and in Comisana sheep affected by foot rot. Materials, Methods & Results: This experiment was carried out on 10 clinically healthy and not pregnant female sheep, and 10 not pregnant female sheep affected by foot rot. During the experimental period, all animals were kept under a natural photoperiod (sunrise 06:30, sunset 19:00). RT was measured every 3 h intervals for 24 consecutive hours starting at 11:00 on day 1 and ending at 11:00 on day 2. A trigonometric statistical model was applied to the average values of each time series, so as to describe the periodic phenomenon analytically, by characterizing the main rhythmic parameters according to the single cosinor procedure. Four rhythmic parameters were determined: mean level, amplitude (the difference between the peak, or trough, and the mean value of a wave), acrophase (the time at which the peak of a rhythm occurs), and robustness (strength of rhythmicity). The application of the periodic model showed a circadian rhythm of RT in healthy subjects and no circadian rhytmicity of RT was observed in ill sheep. Discussion: The analysis of the results obtained under experimental conditions used in the present study indicated the existence of a circadian periodicity of rectal temperature in healthy sheep whereas no circadian oscillations of rectal temperature were revealed in sheep affected by foot rot. A simple and coherent explanation for these pathological alterations is that the set point is elevated during the rising phase and returned to normal during the later phase. Taking together, the findings of the present study, along with those of others, emphasize the concept that RT exhibits a circadian rhythm that reflect the familiar circadian patterns of endogenous source and the existence of circadian oscillations around a set point with changes in mean body temperature and an absent rhythm when temperature is modified to a new set point, as observed in sheep affected by foot rot.

Pattern of rectal temperature in sheep affected by foot rot / Pattern of rectal temperature in sheep affected by foot rot

Background: Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms generated by an organism or group of organisms that have an intrinsic period of 24 h. Among the many variables that exhibit circadian rhythmicity, body temperature has received considerable attention. The circadian rhythm of body temperature is a well-documented physiological phenomen. Also, it has been shown that changes in heat loss via convection and radiation are primarily caused by variations in skin blood flow, with consequent changes in skin temperature. For this reason, foot temperature assumes a great importance both as indicator of equine laminitis and foot-and-mouth disease in sheep. Particularly, the foot rot, term loosely used to describe lameness associated with the bovine foot, is characterized by acute inflammation of the skin and adjacent soft tissue of the interdigital cleft or space in which the modifications of temperature assume a great importance. In fact, the regulation of body temperature is an essential component of the process of fever, which plays an important role in an organisms response to infection and disease, and its manipulation is a standard procedure in various surgical and therapeutic procedures. In this regards, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of rectal temperature (RT) both in healthy Comisana sheep and in Comisana sheep affected by foot rot.Materials, Methods & Re

Background: Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms generated by an organism or group of organisms that have an intrinsic period of 24 h. Among the many variables that exhibit circadian rhythmicity, body temperature has received considerable attention. The circadian rhythm of body temperature is a well-documented physiological phenomen. Also, it has been shown that changes in heat loss via convection and radiation are primarily caused by variations in skin blood flow, with consequent changes in skin temperature. For this reason, foot temperature assumes a great importance both as indicator of equine laminitis and foot-and-mouth disease in sheep. Particularly, the foot rot, term loosely used to describe lameness associated with the bovine foot, is characterized by acute inflammation of the skin and adjacent soft tissue of the interdigital cleft or space in which the modifications of temperature assume a great importance. In fact, the regulation of body temperature is an essential component of the process of fever, which plays an important role in an organisms response to infection and disease, and its manipulation is a standard procedure in various surgical and therapeutic procedures. In this regards, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of rectal temperature (RT) both in healthy Comisana sheep and in Comisana sheep affected by foot rot.Materials, Methods & Re

Pulsed wavedoppler ultrasonographic evaluation of mammary blood flows speed in cows during different productive periods

Circulatory phenomena are complex organic functions that depend on several factors as blood viscosity, vascular walls elasticity, cardiac pump rhythm, discontinuous activity, various resistance to blood flow in tissues and spontaneous or induced vasomotor responses. Doppler ultrasonographic method is a valid tool for performing mammary blood flow recordings. Seven Bruna Italiana cows (average age 5 years) during 3 different period of lactation (40, 100, 210 days after the delivery) and during the dry period (290 days after the delivery) were used for our study. Systolic and diastolic flow speeds recordings of right and left external pudendal arteries (before the cranial and the caudal mammary bifurcation) were carried out on each subjects by means of a Pulsed Doppler System. By appliyng repeated measures ANOVA between the different lactation phases and the dry period systolic and diastolic blood flows both for right and left external pudendal artery showed the same pattern. The systolic speed of right and left external pudendal arteries showed the following statistical significances: systolic speed before milking (F (3,18)=37.71; P

Pulsed wavedoppler ultrasonographic evaluation of mammary blood flows speed in cows during different productive periods

Circulatory phenomena are complex organic functions that depend on several factors as blood viscosity, vascular walls elasticity, cardiac pump rhythm, discontinuous activity, various resistance to blood flow in tissues and spontaneous or induced vasomotor responses. Doppler ultrasonographic method is a valid tool for performing mammary blood flow recordings. Seven Bruna Italiana cows (average age 5 years) during 3 different period of lactation (40, 100, 210 days after the delivery) and during the dry period (290 days after the delivery) were used for our study. Systolic and diastolic flow speeds recordings of right and left external pudendal arteries (before the cranial and the caudal mammary bifurcation) were carried out on each subjects by means of a Pulsed Doppler System. By appliyng repeated measures ANOVA between the different lactation phases and the dry period systolic and diastolic blood flows both for right and left external pudendal artery showed the same pattern. The systolic speed of right and left external pudendal arteries showed the following statistical significances: systolic speed before milking (F (3,18)=37.71; P

Thirty-day rhythmicity in electrocardiographic and electrolytic parameters in the athletic horse

This paper describes circatrigintan progress of some electrocardiographic parameters and of the serum electrolytes in the jumper horse during a period of pre-competitive training performed in order to define the temporal organization of some parameters employed to evaluate the athletic performance of the horse. Five Sella Italiana horses, clinically healthy and specifically trained have been utilized for the study. All the subjects have undergone electrocardiographic recordings and blood sample takings by means of jugular venopuncture, at rest and always at the same hour, every five days for a period of one month. The following electrocardiographic parameters have been measured on individual ECG-recordings: P wave duration and amplitude, P-Q interval duration, QRS complex duration, R wave amplitude, T wave duration, S-T segment duration, Q-T interval duration, the longest and shortest R-R intervals; besides, mean R-R interval and D R-R, the highest, lowest and mean heart rate, have been calculated. The concentrations of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine and of sodium and potassium have been determined on the blood samples, respectively by UV spectrophotometry and by flaming. The application of a statistic trigonometric model has permitted to point out the circatrigintan periodicity of the following electrocardiographic parameters: P wave duration, T wave duration, R w

Thirty-day rhythmicity in electrocardiographic and electrolytic parameters in the athletic horse

This paper describes circatrigintan progress of some electrocardiographic parameters and of the serum electrolytes in the jumper horse during a period of pre-competitive training performed in order to define the temporal organization of some parameters employed to evaluate the athletic performance of the horse. Five Sella Italiana horses, clinically healthy and specifically trained have been utilized for the study. All the subjects have undergone electrocardiographic recordings and blood sample takings by means of jugular venopuncture, at rest and always at the same hour, every five days for a period of one month. The following electrocardiographic parameters have been measured on individual ECG-recordings: P wave duration and amplitude, P-Q interval duration, QRS complex duration, R wave amplitude, T wave duration, S-T segment duration, Q-T interval duration, the longest and shortest R-R intervals; besides, mean R-R interval and D R-R, the highest, lowest and mean heart rate, have been calculated. The concentrations of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine and of sodium and potassium have been determined on the blood samples, respectively by UV spectrophotometry and by flaming. The application of a statistic trigonometric model has permitted to point out the circatrigintan periodicity of the following electrocardiographic parameters: P wave duration, T wave duration, R w

Thirty-day rhythmicity in electrocardiographic and electrolytic parameters in the athletic horse

This paper describes circatrigintan progress of some electrocardiographic parameters and of the serum electrolytes in the jumper horse during a period of pre-competitive training performed in order to define the temporal organization of some parameters employed to evaluate the athletic performance of the horse. Five Sella Italiana horses, clinically healthy and specifically trained have been utilized for the study. All the subjects have undergone electrocardiographic recordings and blood sample takings by means of jugular venopuncture, at rest and always at the same hour, every five days for a period of one month. The following electrocardiographic parameters have been measured on individual ECG-recordings: P wave duration and amplitude, P-Q interval duration, QRS complex duration, R wave amplitude, T wave duration, S-T segment duration, Q-T interval duration, the longest and shortest R-R intervals; besides, mean R-R interval and D R-R, the highest, lowest and mean heart rate, have been calculated. The concentrations of magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine and of sodium and potassium have been determined on the blood samples, respectively by UV spectrophotometry and by flaming. The application of a statistic trigonometric model has permitted to point out the circatrigintan periodicity of the following electrocardiographic parameters: P wave duration, T wave duration, R w

Pulsed wavedoppler ultrasonographic evaluation of mammary blood flows speed in cows during different productive periods

Circulatory phenomena are complex organic functions that depend on several factors as blood viscosity, vascular walls elasticity, cardiac pump rhythm, discontinuous activity, various resistance to blood flow in tissues and spontaneous or induced vasomotor responses. Doppler ultrasonographic method is a valid tool for performing mammary blood flow recordings. Seven Bruna Italiana cows (average age 5 years) during 3 different period of lactation (40, 100, 210 days after the delivery) and during the dry period (290 days after the delivery) were used for our study. Systolic and diastolic flow speeds recordings of right and left external pudendal arteries (before the cranial and the caudal mammary bifurcation) were carried out on each subjects by means of a Pulsed Doppler System. By appliyng repeated measures ANOVA between the different lactation phases and the dry period systolic and diastolic blood flows both for right and left external pudendal artery showed the same pattern. The systolic speed of right and left external pudendal arteries showed the following statistical significances: systolic speed before milking (F (3,18)=37.71; P

Evaluation of heart rate as marker of stress during road transport in horses / Evaluation of heart rate as marker of stress during road transport in horses

Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number of horses are subjected to transport for several purpose including sport competitions, breeding and selling. In the past, horses were usually transported by train and ship however, at the present time, they move mainly by road with trailers or vans. Transport represents a potential stressor that might compromise horse performance therefore, the chance to monitor horse welfare during transportation is of great interest. The autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function have been considered suitable indicators of stress and welfare in humans and animals. Measuring the vagal tone provide a best knowledge about stress vulnerability and the magnitude of a stress response. Considering that heart rate (HR) represents the effect of the vagus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if this parameter is an affordable indicator of stress in horses subjected to different experimental conditions concerning the duration and the time of the day of road transportation. Materials, Methods & Results: Twelve clinically healthy athletic Italian Saddle horses, divided into three equal groups, were transported over two different distances (110 Km and 225 Km) at the same time of the day (5.00 pm) (group A and B), and over the same distance (110 Km) during the evening (5.00 pm)

Background: Nowadays horse transportation represents an increasingly practice as a greater number of horses are subjected to transport for several purpose including sport competitions, breeding and selling. In the past, horses were usually transported by train and ship however, at the present time, they move mainly by road with trailers or vans. Transport represents a potential stressor that might compromise horse performance therefore, the chance to monitor horse welfare during transportation is of great interest. The autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function have been considered suitable indicators of stress and welfare in humans and animals. Measuring the vagal tone provide a best knowledge about stress vulnerability and the magnitude of a stress response. Considering that heart rate (HR) represents the effect of the vagus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if this parameter is an affordable indicator of stress in horses subjected to different experimental conditions concerning the duration and the time of the day of road transportation. Materials, Methods & Results: Twelve clinically healthy athletic Italian Saddle horses, divided into three equal groups, were transported over two different distances (110 Km and 225 Km) at the same time of the day (5.00 pm) (group A and B), and over the same distance (110 Km) during the evening (5.00 pm)

Pattern of rectal temperature in sheep affected by foot rot / Pattern of rectal temperature in sheep affected by foot rot

Background: Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms generated by an organism or group of organisms that have an intrinsic period of 24 h. Among the many variables that exhibit circadian rhythmicity, body temperature has received considerable attention. The circadian rhythm of body temperature is a well-documented physiological phenomen. Also, it has been shown that changes in heat loss via convection and radiation are primarily caused by variations in skin blood flow, with consequent changes in skin temperature. For this reason, foot temperature assumes a great importance both as indicator of equine laminitis and foot-and-mouth disease in sheep. Particularly, the foot rot, term loosely used to describe lameness associated with the bovine foot, is characterized by acute inflammation of the skin and adjacent soft tissue of the interdigital cleft or space in which the modifications of temperature assume a great importance. In fact, the regulation of body temperature is an essential component of the process of fever, which plays an important role in an organisms response to infection and disease, and its manipulation is a standard procedure in various surgical and therapeutic procedures. In this regards, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of rectal temperature (RT) both in healthy Comisana sheep and in Comisana sheep affected by foot rot.Materials, Methods & Re

Background: Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms generated by an organism or group of organisms that have an intrinsic period of 24 h. Among the many variables that exhibit circadian rhythmicity, body temperature has received considerable attention. The circadian rhythm of body temperature is a well-documented physiological phenomen. Also, it has been shown that changes in heat loss via convection and radiation are primarily caused by variations in skin blood flow, with consequent changes in skin temperature. For this reason, foot temperature assumes a great importance both as indicator of equine laminitis and foot-and-mouth disease in sheep. Particularly, the foot rot, term loosely used to describe lameness associated with the bovine foot, is characterized by acute inflammation of the skin and adjacent soft tissue of the interdigital cleft or space in which the modifications of temperature assume a great importance. In fact, the regulation of body temperature is an essential component of the process of fever, which plays an important role in an organisms response to infection and disease, and its manipulation is a standard procedure in various surgical and therapeutic procedures. In this regards, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of rectal temperature (RT) both in healthy Comisana sheep and in Comisana sheep affected by foot rot.Materials, Methods & Re

Platelet rich plasma intralesional injection as bedside therapy for tendinitis in athletic horse / Platelet rich plasma intralesional injection as bedside therapy for tendinitis in athletic horse

Background: Tendinitis result in a considerable economic loss to the equine industry due to decreased performance, prolonged rehabilitation, recurrent injuries and early retirement. It is well known that damaged tendons have a low healing potential and old therapies often lead to mechanical side effect of a scar tissue with reduced functionality and high risks of re-injury. Regenerative therapies that induce the restoration of the tendons normal structure and function, rather than formation of less functional scar tissue, decrease the risk of re-injury tissue repair. In particular, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy reproduce those processes of development in which there are spatial and temporal interactions between scaffold, growth factors and cell populations that lead to a normal structure and function of neo-formed tendon tissue. According to this knowledge, the aim of this study was to assess autologous PRP therapy as bedside procedure to treat equine tendon injuries. Materials, Methods & Results: Following a clinical and ultrasound examination, fifteen Thoroughbred horses affected by tendinitis of the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons were treated with intralesional injection of autologous PRP on-field preparation. On each horse blood samples were aseptically collected from the jugular vein into sterile tubes. Two sequential centrifugations of whole blood, a

Background: Tendinitis result in a considerable economic loss to the equine industry due to decreased performance, prolonged rehabilitation, recurrent injuries and early retirement. It is well known that damaged tendons have a low healing potential and old therapies often lead to mechanical side effect of a scar tissue with reduced functionality and high risks of re-injury. Regenerative therapies that induce the restoration of the tendons normal structure and function, rather than formation of less functional scar tissue, decrease the risk of re-injury tissue repair. In particular, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy reproduce those processes of development in which there are spatial and temporal interactions between scaffold, growth factors and cell populations that lead to a normal structure and function of neo-formed tendon tissue. According to this knowledge, the aim of this study was to assess autologous PRP therapy as bedside procedure to treat equine tendon injuries. Materials, Methods & Results: Following a clinical and ultrasound examination, fifteen Thoroughbred horses affected by tendinitis of the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons were treated with intralesional injection of autologous PRP on-field preparation. On each horse blood samples were aseptically collected from the jugular vein into sterile tubes. Two sequential centrifugations of whole blood, a