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Labruna, M. B., & Amaku, M. (2006). Rhythm of engorgement and detachment of Anocentor nitens females feeding on horses. Vet Parasitol, 137(3-4), 316–332.
Abstract: The present study evaluated the engorgement and drop-off rhythms of Anocentor nitens females feeding on horses. Drop-off rhythm was evaluated at 6h-intervals (06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 00:00 h) on horses held in stalls or in a pasture. A new method of marking feeding female ticks (the bowknot technique) was developed to evaluate ticks on horses in pasture that attached to different parts of the horse's body. This technique was highly successful, indicating no significant interference on tick engorgement rate or final tick weight, length and reproductive capability. Horses held in the pasture during the summer produced only 28.2% of the tick detachment during the daylight period from 06:00 to 18:00 h. In contrast, 53.4% of the ticks detached during this same 12 h-period during the winter. This difference was probably related to the longer scotoperiod during the winter. Different drop-off rhythms were observed for females attached to different anatomical parts of the horse's body. For example, ticks attached to the ears, perineum, and tail showed similar drop-off patterns, but were different from ticks attached to mane, rump and other body parts. The idiosoma length of the feeding female ticks was individually measured every 6 h until the engorged female detached naturally. The engorgement rate (increase in millimeters of the body length per hour) was evaluated during the last 96 h of parasitism. The highest engorgement rates were observed during the last 24 h of parasitism (approximately 0.16 mm/h), which were four-fold higher than the engorgement rates of the previous 3 days ( approximately 0.04 mm/h), demonstrating that these lower and higher values corresponded to the slow and rapid feeding phases reported elsewhere. Based on these data, the 6 mm idiosoma length was estimated as the minimal length that would correspond to the time point (i.e. 24 h before detachment) during which ticks would undergo the rapid feeding phase and detach as fully engorged females. When this 6 mm length was tested to estimate the number of engorged females detaching from horses in a period of 24 h, the estimated accuracy varied from 58.5 to 97.7% (mean: 73.3%).
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Dow, M., Ewing, A. W., & Sutherland, I. (1976). Studies on the behaviour of cyprinodont fish. III. The temporal patterning of aggression in Aphyosemion striatum (Boulenger). Behaviour, 59(3-4), 252–268.
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Gavrilova, O., Haluzik, M., Matsusue, K., Cutson, J. J., Johnson, L., Dietz, K. R., et al. (2003). Liver peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma contributes to hepatic steatosis, triglyceride clearance, and regulation of body fat mass. J Biol Chem, 278(36), 34268–34276.
Abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear receptor that mediates the antidiabetic effects of thiazolidinediones. PPAR gamma is present in adipose tissue and becomes elevated in fatty livers, but the roles of specific tissues in thiazolidinedione actions are unclear. We studied the function of liver PPAR gamma in both lipoatrophic A-ZIP/F-1 (AZIP) and wild type mice. In AZIP mice, ablation of liver PPAR gamma reduced the hepatic steatosis but worsened the hyperlipidemia, triglyceride clearance, and muscle insulin resistance. Inactivation of AZIP liver PPAR gamma also abolished the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of rosiglitazone, demonstrating that, in the absence of adipose tissue, the liver is a primary and major site of thiazolidinedione action. In contrast, rosiglitazone remained effective in non-lipoatrophic mice lacking liver PPAR gamma, suggesting that adipose tissue is the major site of thiazolidinedione action in typical mice with adipose tissue. Interestingly, mice without liver PPAR gamma, but with adipose tissue, developed relative fat intolerance, increased adiposity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Thus, liver PPAR gamma regulates triglyceride homeostasis, contributing to hepatic steatosis, but protecting other tissues from triglyceride accumulation and insulin resistance.
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Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, M. M., Spierenburg, A. J., & van den Broek, E. T. W. (2006). The workload of riding-school horses during jumping.
Abstract: REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: As there are no reports on the real workload of horses that jump fences, this study was undertaken in riding-school horses. OBJECTIVE: To compare the workload of horses jumping a course of fences with that of horses cantering over the same course at the same average speed without jumping fences. The workload variables included heart rate (HR), packed cell volume (PCV), acid-base balance (venous pH, pCO2, HCO3-) and blood lactate (LA), glucose, total protein and electrolyte concentrations. METHODS: Eight healthy riding-school horses performed test A (a course of approximately 700 m with 12 jumps from 0.8-1.0 m high at an average speed of approximately 350 m/min) and test B (same course at the same speed, but without the rails) in a crossover study with at least 4 h between the 2 tests. Before each test the horses were fitted with a heart rate meter (Polar Electro). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at rest prior to the test, after warm-up before starting the course, immediately after the course and after recovery. All samples were analysed immediately. RESULTS: The mean +/- s.d maximal HR (beats/min) during the course (184 +/- 17 and 156 +/- 21, respectively) and the mean HR after recovery (75 +/- 6 and 63 +/- 7, respectively) were significantly higher in test A compared to test B (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007 respectively). The mean LA concentrations after the course and after recovery (mmol/l) were significantly higher in test A (3.6 +/- 2.7 and 1.0 +/- 0.9, respectively) compared to test B (0.9 +/- 0.5 and 0.3 +/- 0.1, respectively), (P = 0.016 and P = 0.048 respectively). The mean PCV (I/l) after the course and after recovery was also significantly different between tests A (0.48 +/- 0.04 and 0.39 +/- 0.03, respectively) and B (0.42 +/- 0.04 and 0.36 +/- 0.03, respectively) (P<0.01). The mean pH and the mean HCO3- (mmol/l) after the course were significantly lower in test A (7.40 +/- 0.04 and 28.9 +/- 1.4, respectively) compared to test B (7.45 +/- 0.03 and 30.4 +/- 2.3, respectively) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that in riding-school horses jumping fences, even at a low level competition, provokes a significant workload compared to cantering the same distance and speed without fences. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study makes it clear that the extra workload of jumping fences should be taken into account in the training programmes of jumping horses. Further research with more experienced horses jumping higher fences will reveal the workload for top-level jumping horses.
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Takahashi, T., Kasashima, Y., Eto, D., Mukai, K., & Hiraga, A. (2006). Effect of uphill exercise on equine superficial digital flexor tendon forces at trot and canter. Equine Vet J Suppl, (36), 435–439.
Abstract: REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: One cause of overstrain injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in horses is the force loaded on the SDFT during repeated running. Therefore, decreasing this force may reduce SDFT injury. It has been reported that strain on the SDFT decreases with a toe-wedge shoe. Uphill courses are used for training of racehorses, and the angle of hoof-sole to the horizon during uphill running is similar to that of the toe-wedge shoe. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of uphill exercise on the force on the SDFT during trotting and cantering. METHODS: Arthroscopically implantable force probes (AIFP) were implanted into the SDFT of the left or right forelimb of 7 Thoroughbred horses and AIFP output recorded during trotting and cantering on a treadmill inclined at slopes of 0, 3 or 8%, and then 0% again. Superficial digital flexor tendon force was calculated as a relative value, with the amplitude of AIFP output voltage at initial 0% slope equal to 100. RESULTS: Out of 14 sets of experiments, AIFP data were analysed successfully in 9 at the trot, in 3 at the canter in the trailing forelimb on a slope of 3 and 8%, and in 2 at the canter in the leading forelimb on a slope of 3%. Increasing the incline from 0-8% tended to decrease peak force in the SDFT at the trot, and in the trailing forelimb at the canter. However, force in the SDFT was unchanged in the leading forelimb at the canter on the 3% incline. CONCLUSIONS: The force in the SDFT trotting or cantering uphill is unchanged or lower than that loaded at the same speed on a flat surface. Because at similar speeds the workload for uphill exercise is greater than on the flat, uphill running increases exercise intensity without increasing force in the SDFT. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Uphill exercise may reduce the risk of SDFT injury as both running speed and SDFT force are decreased on an incline as compared to the flat, even when exercise intensity is the same. Further study is needed to confirm these findings at canter in a larger population of horses.
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Cottin, F., Barrey, E., Lopes, P., & Billat, V. (2006). Effect of repeated exercise and recovery on heart rate variability in elite trotting horses during high intensity interval training. Equine Vet J Suppl, (36), 204–209.
Abstract: REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Interval training is a commonly used training method for trotting horses. In addition, trainers are provided with efficient and inexpensive heart rate monitor devices for the management of training. HYPOTHESIS: Since the high frequency (HF) frequency peak (fHF) of heart rate variability (HRV) corresponds to the breathing frequency in combination with stride frequency during trotting, it is hypothesised that modifications of breathing and stride frequencies induced by repeated exercise could be detected from fHF. METHODS: RR interval time series of 7 trotting horses were recorded during an interval training session. Interval training was made up of 5 successive 800 m high-velocity trotting runs (H1, H2...H5) separated by 1 min recovery bouts at low speed (R1, R2...R5). Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and Poincare plot analysis techniques were applied to RR series. RESULTS: Repeated exercise had significant effects on HRV components during interval training. Despite constant trotting velocities during high-speed and recovery, repetition induced a decrease in mean RR interval (H1: 295 +/- 19 vs. H5: 283 +/- 15 msec, P<0.05) and in the root mean square of successive differences in RR series (RMSSD; H1: 6.31 +/- 1.28 vs. H5: 5.31 +/- 1.31 msec, P<0.05). Furthermore, high-speed and recovery repetitions induced an increase in fHF (H1: 1.37 +/- 0.35 vs. H5: 1.62 +/- 0.40 Hz and R1: 0.22 +/- 0.02 vs. R4: 0.64 +/- 0.38 Hz, P<0.05). Hence, recovery induced a decrease in the s.d. of the successive RR series (SDRR; R3: 10.5 +/- 3.96 vs. R5: 6.17 +/- 2.65 msecs, P>0.05) and in the long term index of Poincare plot (SD2; R1: 43.29 +/- 28.90 vs. R5: 18.19 +/- 9.35 msecs, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The observed increase in fHF during the interval training could be induced by alterations of the coupling between breathing and stride frequency linked to the emergence of fatigue. The decrease in SD2 and SDRR during successive recovery bouts could be linked with a deterioration of the recovery pattern. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: HRV can provide breathing frequency data of Standardbreds during training without any respiratory device. Furthermore, HRV could provide useful makers of the emergence of fatigue states during training.
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Murray, J. K., Senior, J. M., & Singer, E. R. (2006). A comparison of cross-country recovery rates at CCI 2* with and without steeplechase competitions. Equine Vet J Suppl, (36), 133–138.
Abstract: REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Short format 3-day events were introduced in 2004. Anecdotal reports suggested that horses were more tired on completion of the cross-country phase of short format events when compared with horses completing the cross-country phase of long format competitions, despite the absence of Phases A, B and C. OBJECTIVES: To compare the physiological parameters and haematological parameters of horses that had completed the cross-country phase of a short format (SF) and a long format (LF) CCI 2* competition. METHODS: During a CCI 2* competition 69 competitors took part in the short format and 74 in the long format competition. Long format competitors completed Phases A, B, C and D and short format competitors completed Phase D only. Phase D (the cross-country course) was identical for both competitions. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and post hoc tests were used to compare temperature, pulse and respiration rates of horses competing in both types of competition. T tests were used to compare mean lactate and electrolyte concentrations, while U-Mann Whitney tests were used to compare CK and AST levels measured in horses competing in the short and long formats of the event. RESULTS: Training schedules, age and previous competition experience were not significantly different between horses competing in the SF and LF competitions. On completion of Phase D, SF horses had significantly higher PCV and significantly lower ionised calcium concentrations when compared with LF horses. LF horses had significantly higher heart rates than SF horses 10 min prior to starting Phase D and immediately after completing Phase D; however, no other significant differences were found between the 2 groups of horses. CONCLUSIONS: Only weak evidence was found to support the hypothesis that the workload for the horse in a SF CCI 2* competition is significantly different when compared to the LF CCI 2* competition. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: There is no beneficial or detrimental effect on horses that complete short format CCI 2* competitions as compared to those that complete long format CCI 2* competitions but further research is required into the physiological response of horses at CCI 3* and CCI 4* short format competitions.
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Crowell-Davis, S. L., Houpt, K. A., & Carnevale, J. (1985). Feeding and drinking behavior of mares and foals with free access to pasture and water. J. Anim Sci., 60(4), 883–889.
Abstract: The feeding and drinking behavior of 11 mares and 15 foals living on pasture with free access to water was recorded during 2,340 15-min focal samples taken over 2 yr. Lactating mares on pasture spent about 70% of the day feeding. Foals began feeding on their first day of life. As they grew older, they spent progressively more time feeding, but still spent only 47 +/- 6% of the time feeding by 21 wk of age. Foals fed primarily during the early morning and evening. While grass formed the major proportion of the diet of both foals and mares, they also ate clay, humus, feces, bark, leaves and twigs. Almost all feeding by foals was done while their mothers were feeding. Movement to water sources was frequently, but not invariably, carried out by an entire herd. Frequency (P = .005) but not duration (P greater than .05) of drinking bouts by mares increased as the temperature increased. Frequency was greatest at 30 to 35 C, at which temperature mares drank once every 1.8 h. Frequency of drinking varied with the time of day (P less than .01), being rarest during the early morning (0500 to 0900 h eastern daylight time) and most frequent during the afternoon (1300 to 1700 h). Drinking by foals was very rare. The youngest age at which a foal was observed to drink was 3 wk, and 8 of 15 foals were never observed to drink before weaning.
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Alexander, F. (1977). The effect of diuretics on the faecal excretion of water and electrolytes in horses. Br J Pharmacol, 60(4), 589–593.
Abstract: 1. The effect on plasma, urinary and faecal electrolytes of frusemide and hydrochlorthiazide was measured in ponies, mean weight 180 kg. 2. The rapid loss in urine of large quantities of sodium had only a small effect on plasma sodium concentration. 3. Faecal sodium excretion was increased substantially after the administration of frusemide. 4. Frusemide increased faecal potassium during the 48 h following administration and faecal water in the 24/48 h period. It also produced a hypopotassaemia. 5. Hydrochlorthiazide increased faecal chloride during the 24 h after administration. 6. Frusemide increased the intestinal transit time of both liquid (polyethylene glycol) and particulate (Cr2O3) markers.
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Kaiser, D. H., Zentall, T. R., & Neiman, E. (2002). Timing in pigeons: effects of the similarity between intertrial interval and gap in a timing signal. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process, 28(4), 416–422.
Abstract: Previous research suggests that when a fixed interval is interrupted (known as the gap procedure), pigeons tend to reset memory and start timing from 0 after the gap. However, because the ambient conditions of the gap typically have been the same as during the intertrial interval (ITI), ambiguity may have resulted. In the present experiment, the authors found that when ambient conditions during the gap were similar to the ITI, pigeons tended to reset memory, but when ambient conditions during the gap were different from the ITI, pigeons tended to stop timing, retain the duration of the stimulus in memory, and add to that time when the stimulus reappeared. Thus, when the gap was unambiguous, pigeons timed accurately.
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