Morphology and elemental analysis of free range and stabled Polish Konik horses hair using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

Hair is a more biologically stable material than other tissues and contains a relatively constant level of minerals, drugs or toxins. The content of essential elements in hair depends on dietary and non-dietary factors. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effect of diet on the elemental composition and morphological properties of the hair of healthy Polish Konik horses. Mane hair was collected from 19 horses living in The National Park in Popielno in Poland. Six of these horses were free-ranged all year with permanent access to pasture, while 13 horses were kept in the stable and fed oats, hay and straw. The samples were analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope combined with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Each hair was analyzed for its microscopic appearance and elemental Mg, Si, S, Ca, Mn, Co, Zn and Se content. No significant changes in the morphological properties and elemental composition were observed. There was inter- individual variability in element content between horses in both groups, but this did not affect their health. The comparison of the present results with other studies shows that the level of elements in the hair of Polish Konik horses is significantly lower than in healthy horses of other breeds. The traditional feeding plan containing pasture, oats and hay does not contain a sufficient amount of main mineral elements. Further investigation is needed to explain the effect of diet and maintenance on the mineral balance of horses.

Parasitic fauna of Polish konik horses (Equus caballus gmelini Antonius) and their impact on breeding: a review.

The influence of internal and external parasites on the health of Polish konik horses housed in different types of management strategies in Poland is discussed. This study includes consolidated data of different authors from the past 50 years, supplemented by results of more recent research. A total of 38 species of helminths (i.e., 37 Nematoda and one Cestoda) and five Diptera species were recorded from the horses. Protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium spp. and Theileria equi, and the Rickettsiales, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, were observed for the first time in Poland.

Assessment of genomic inbreeding in Polish Konik horses.

The aim of this study was to assess the inbreeding coefficient of Polish Konik horses based on runs of homozygosity (ROH). Ninety six horses kept in 6 herds located across Poland were genotyped with the use of EquineSNP60 BeadChip (Illumina). SNP markers with a Minor Allele Frequency lower than 0.01 and SNPs assigned to chromosome X or Y were excluded from the study. A total of 50 708 SNPs were included for statistical analysis (SVS software, Golden Helix). The analysis showed that the population is in genetic equilibrium, with He and Ho estimates both equal to 0.3086. Seven categories of Runs of Homozygozity (ROH) length were defined: >0.5, >1, >2, >4, >8, >16, >25 Mb. The genomic inbreeding coefficient derived from ROH (FROH) calculated for each ROH length ranged from 15.96% based on the shortest ROH (>0,5Mb) to 2.71% for the longest ROH (>25Mb). Among individual horses, the inbreeding coefficient ranged from 5.25% to 22.41% (for ROH >1Mb). Analysis of ROH in Polish Koniks allows for more effective management of their inbreeding in the future.

Evaluation of serum cytokine levels in recurrent airway obstruction.

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) represents a serious health problem and is traditionally classified as an allergic disease, where contact with an antigen can induce clinical airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of the Th2 response in the lungs of human patients with asthma and horses with heaves. These cells are involved in the production of cytokines which regulate the synthesis of immunoglobulins. 40 horses were evaluated: 30 horses with RAO and 10 healthy animals. The expression levels of interferon-alpha 1 (IFN-α1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-1ß, (IL-1ß), IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the serum obtained from control and RAO-susceptible horses during crisis. In all the patients, serum cytokine levels were detected. Serum median IL-13 and IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in RAO-affected horses than in the healthy group (p < 0.001). The serum median IFN-α1, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, and TNF-α levels were similar in both groups. These results indicate a low variability of the levels of cytokines and a high frequency of their detection in serum samples from horses with RAO. Immune mechanisms involved in equine RAO are more complex than those defined by a simple Th1/Th2 dichotomy.

Oxidant-antioxidant status in the blood of horses with symptomatic recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).

BACKGROUND: Systemic oxidative stress in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is poorly characterized. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate whether equine RAO is associated with systemic disturbances in the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium. ANIMALS: Seven healthy horses and 7 horses with symptomatic RAO. METHODS: A prospective study. Healthy and RAO-affected horses were exposed to a 48-hour challenge with moldy hay and straw to induce clinical exacerbation of RAO. Venous blood was collected and the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) in equine erythrocyte lysates were measured. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARSs) was assessed both in erythrocyte lysates and in plasma. RESULTS: A significant increase in the activities of GPx and SOD was detected in RAO-affected horses compared with the control animals. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of the erythrocyte lysate activities of CAT, GR, or TBARs or the plasma concentration of TBARs. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our results support the hypothesis that RAO in horses is associated with systemic oxidative stress. Future studies are needed to assess whether horses suffering from RAO can benefit from antioxidant supplementation.

Circulating immune complexes and markers of systemic inflammation in RAO-affected horses.

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) and concentration of haptoglobin, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein in the serum of horses with recurrent airway obstruction and healthy controls. The study was conducted on a group of 14 adult Polish Konik horses, kept in uniform environmental and living conditions. Horses were divided into two groups: 7 horses were not affected by any respiratory problem (control group) and 7 horses had a history of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) (study group). A clinical and laboratory evaluation, endoscopic examination and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed in all horses. Levels of circulating immune complexes were significantly (p = 0.0057) increased in heaves-affected horses compared to healthy controls (median [25th-75th percentiles]) (3.96 [3.96-4.43] vs. 7.46 [5.13-11.9]). No significant difference was observed in the levels of the examined acute phase proteins between the groups. Moreover, all results were within the reference range established for horses. The results of this study indicate that heaves in horses is associated with the formation and high level of CICs. Haptoglobin, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein failed as markers of early stage systemic inflammation in the course of RAO.

Heavy metal concentration in coat hair and hoof horn in stabled and reserve Polish Konik horses.

The objective of the study was to determine if there were differences in Cr, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni levels in coat hair and hoof horn between Polish Konik horses maintained in stabled and reserve systems in Roztocze National Park in Poland. Summer and winter feeding seasons (seasons of the year in case of hooves) and age of horses were taken into account. 107 samples of hair and hooves, as well as all kinds of feed and sources of water available for the horses were examined. The results of the study indicate that the concentration of the elements in the coat hair, hoof horn, feeds and water is usually too low to show possible influence of the system of maintenance in feeding seasons and age effect. The reserve horses are not more exposed to heavy metal contamination than the stabled horses. In the hair, solely Mn level is affected by the systems of maintenance in summer and winter feeding seasons: during winter it is higher, particularly in the stabled system, than during summer. In hooves, Cr concentration is higher in stabled horses than in reserve horses and conversely, Cu content is higher in the reserve horses. Mn content is age-affected both in hair and hooves, likewise is Cu content in the hooves. The results indicate a necessity of Cu compound supplementation in feeding the horses in both systems of maintenance.

Heritability of hair whorl position on the forehead in Konik horses.

There are studies on the relationship between the position and shape of hair whorls on bovine forehead and phenotypic traits. According to anecdotal beliefs by horse users and handlers, temperamental traits may be related to the position of hair whorls in horses. No previous research on the mechanisms of inheritance of hair whorls has been performed, so the aim of the present study was to determine the heritability of the position of the hair whorl on the forehead of Konik horses. The horses (n = 362) were classified into five groups based on the whorl position on forehead with respect to the top and bottom eye lines. The estimated heritability of hair whorl position was 0.753 (SE = 0.056). Heritability adjusted for the discontinuity of the trait was 0.836. The results show that hair whorl position in Konik Polski horses is highly heritable. The possible relationship between position of hair whorls on the forehead and other morphological traits needs further research and should be interpreted with caution.

[Multiorgan trauma complicated by purulent processes and occlusion of the digestive tract]. / Uraz wielonarzadowy powiklany procesami ropnymi i niedroznoscia przewodu pokarmowego.

Authors presented a case of multiorgan trauma complicated, during a treatment by purulent course and occlusion of digestive tract. They punctuate an important rate of intensive care and postoperative care, which enabled a diagnose of early dangerous complications and effective treatment.

[Treatment of hemorrhoids]. / Leczenie zylaków odbytu.

In the years 1980-89, 156 patients were treated in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, in whom the main disease were haemorrhoids. Surgical treatment was given to 101 patients (64.74%), and 55 patients were treated conservatively (35.26%). In the group of patients treated surgically, the Whitehead method was used in 58.42% of cases, the Milligan method in 35.64% of patients, and in the remaining 5.94% the operation was carried out by other methods. Among the patients operated on, cure was achieved in 97 cases (96.04%), four patients (3.96%) required further treatment due to local complications (3-after operation by the Whitehead method, 1-by the Milligan method). More postoperative complications were seen in patients treated by the Whitehead method (5.08%) than by the Milligan method (2.78%), but for operation by the Whitehead method, patients were qualified with advanced, often complicated haemorrhoids, and all patients with accompanying anal prolapse.

Reversibility of nontraumatic disuse osteoporosis during its active phase.

The potential for the recovery of bone lost during the active phase of disuse osteoporosis, both in the diaphyseal compacta and metaphyseal spongiosa was tested in young adult and old Beagle dogs. Immobilization for up to 60 weeks was achieved by placing the forelimb in a spica cast and remobilization by removing it. Bone volume was estimated in the third metacarpus, radius, ulna and humerus at the mid-diaphysis and at the level of distal metaphyseal spongiosa in both forelimbs by radiography and histomorphometry. Measurements carried out on animals remobilized showed considerable recovery of the original bone loss. In both age groups, the residual deficits increased, however, with the duration of immobilization and were similar in the metaphyseal spongiosa and in the diaphyseal compacta. The old dogs which began the study with 10% less bone than the younger dogs, showed smaller proportional losses than the younger dogs but greater residual deficits, most evident in the diaphysis. In both age groups the distal, weight-bearing bones tended to show greater losses and also greater recovery both in diaphyseal compacta and the metaphyseal spongiosa. Thus, 28 weeks after cast removal following 32 weeks of immobilization the following findings were noted: In the third metacarpal diaphyseal compacta in the younger dogs, a 53.6% loss (mostly from the periosteal envelope) decreased to 16.3% (a 70% recovery) while in the older dogs a 37.6% loss (mostly from the endosteal envelope) decreased to 23% (a 40% recovery).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Periosteal stress-induced reactions resembling stress fractures. A radiologic and histologic study in dogs.

An external callus is always associated with so-called stress fractures, but a fracture line cannot always be demonstrated by radiologic means. In such instances it is assumed that an undisplaced fracture or microfracture must nevertheless exist for an external callus to form. In this experimental study, 18 beagles were immobilized in a shoulder spica for periods of time ranging from 6 to 32 weeks and then remobilized. At the time of sacrifice, which varied from four to 28 weeks after remobilization was started, eight showed on radiographs an external fusiform bone formation on the distal metacarpal metaphysis during the remobilization period without evidence of a fracture line. Serial histologic examination, in seven metacarpi, also failed to reveal the presence of any break in the bone's continuity. Although this does not exclude the accumulation of microdamage (mechanical fatigue) at such sites, there is sufficient evidence that the circumscribed periosteal reaction occurred at a site of increased stress in the absence of an actual fracture. Consequently, this condition is called a periosteal stress-induced reaction.

Effect of long-term nontraumatic immobilization on metaphyseal spongiosa in young adult and old beagle dogs.

A radiographic and histomorphometric change in volume in the metaphyseal spongiosa in response to long-term immobilization was investigated in young adult and old beagle dogs and compared with changes in diaphyseal compacta of the same bones. Sixty weeks of nontraumatic immobilization of young dogs produced a 66% loss of metaphyseal spongiosa in the third metacarpus, a 50% loss in the radius, and a 25% loss in the humerus. In older animals, the loss amounted to 54%, 46%, and 37%, respectively. In both age groups, the loss of the spongiosa exceeded that of the compacta in the same bones, and, as in the compacta, it was greatest in the small peripheral bones. Although maximal loss occurs during the first 24 to 32 weeks, it may continue to a lesser degree up to 60 weeks and perhaps beyond 60 weeks of immobilization. Since bone loss can occur only on bone surfaces, the earlier and greater loss from the spongiosa may be explained in part by the higher endosteal surface-to-volume ratio of spongy bone. Given a similar bone structure and physiology in man and dog, the observations made in this study may apply to man as well.