Incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) in Dutch warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination

Data are lacking in the literature regarding the incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) [OC(D)] in relation to lameness evaluation in Dutch Warmblood horses. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the incidence of radiological abnormalities consistent with osteochondrosis or osteochondrosis dissecans in 1,231 sound Dutch Warmblood (DW) horses presented for pre-purchase examination. Standardised (Dutch) pre-purchase examination protocols were evaluated. The pre-purchase examination included a clinical, lameness and radiological evaluation, performed at a private equine clinic in the Netherlands. Radiographical examination included views of the distal (DIP) and proximal (PIP) interphalangeal, metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP), tarsocrural (TC) and femoropatellar (FP) joints. Radiographical evidence of OC(D) was found in 44.3% of clinically sound DW horses. In this study, 443 horses (36%, n = 1,231) had evidence of OCD and 102 horses (8.3%, n = 1,231) had evidence of OC on pre-purchase radiographs. The results also indicated that the TC joints were significantly more likely to be affected. A considerable number of horses did not demonstrate any lameness, although radiographs revealed OC(D)

Sources and levels of selenium on breast meat quality of broilers

Qualitative characteristics of breast meat of broilers fed diets supplemented with different concentrations (0; 0.3 and 0.5mg kg-1) of selenium in the form of selenomethionine and sodium selenite were analyzed. A total of 1050 one-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were arranged factorially at random to five treatments (two concentrations x two sources + control diet without addition of selenium) with 7 replications of thirty birds each and received an isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets in all phases according to their ages (1-21, 22-35, and 36-42 days). At 42 days of age, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) after storage at 4ºC for one, seven and 15 days and also after 30 days under freezing temperatures (-15°C), color (CIELab), water holding capacity, cooking loss, shear force, pH and selenium concentration were determined in slaughtered birds breast meat. Results indicated that the use of selenomethionine provides less lightness and lower oxidation in chicken breast meat stored up to 15 days at 4°C. There was a positive effect of dietary different sources and levels of selenium on breast meat quality of broilers. It was observed a linear effect of dietary selenium levels on the amount of selenium deposited in the muscle, and the organic source (selenomethionine) is more effective than inorganic one (sodium selenite) for broiler meat conservation.Analisaram-se características qualitativas da carne do peito de frangos de corte alimentados com rações suplementadas com diferentes concentrações (0; 0,3 e 0,5mg kg-1) de selênio nas formas de selenometionina e selenito de sódio. Foram utilizados 1050 pintainhos machos de um dia de idade da linhagem Cobb, que foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial em 5 tratamentos (duas concentrações x duas fontes + tratamento controle, sem adição de selênio) e sete repetições de trinta aves cada e receberam rações isoproteicas e isoenergéticas em todas as fases de criação (1 a 21, 22 a 35 e 36 a 42 dias). Aos 42 dias de idade, TBARS (substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico) após armazenamento a 4ºC por um, sete e 15 dias e 30 dias sob congelamento (15ºC), coloração (CIELab), capacidade de retenção de água, perdas de peso por cocção, força de cisalhamento, pH e concentração de selênio foram determinadas na carne do peito das aves abatidas. Os resultados indicaram que o uso da selenometionina ocasiona queda da oxidação da carne e luminosidade aos 15 dias de armazenamento a 4ºC. Existiu um efeito positivo da suplementação da ração com as diferentes fontes e concentrações de selênio sobre a qualidade da carne do peito das aves. Houve efeito linear dos níveis dietéticos de selênio na quantidade de selênio depositado no músculo, e a fonte orgânica (selenometionina) foi mais efetiva que a inorgânica (selenito de sódio) na conservação da carne de frango.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina Centro de Educação Superior do OesteUniversidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e VeterináriasFaculdade de TecnologiaUDESC Centro de Ciências AgroveterináriasUniversidade Estadual Paulista Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinária

Altered homeostasis of extracellular matrix proteins in joints of standardbred trotters during a long-term training programme

This study evaluates how strenuous training, age and lameness influence the release of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sf-COMP), aggrecan and collagen type II into synovial fluid in 28 (19.5-40 months) Standardbred trotters (STB), during a long-term training programme (24 months). All the horses were trained by the same trainer and were healthy on entering the training programme. Synovial fluid (sf) from the left middle carpal joint in each subject was sampled every third month. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentrations of sf-COMP, sf-aggrecan and sf-collagen type II. Concentration of sf-COMP decreased with increasing age and total days of training. The concentration of sf-COMP was found similarly related to both age and total days of training, so they could not be differentiated. It was also shown that the concentration of collagen type II degradation products increased with total days of training. The study shows that extensive and long-term training programme induces metabolic changes in articular cartilage exemplified by reduced release and synthesis of COMP. This is most likely due to strenuous training leading to inappropriate load on the articular cartilage