The influence of hay steaming on clinical signs and airway immune response in severe asthmatic horses

ackground Avoidance of antigenic stimuli was found to significantly reverse airway obstruction of horses with severe equine asthma (sEA). To date, no published study investigated the influence of steaming hay on lower airway condition of sEA-affected horses. The objectives were to determine the clinical, cytological and cytokine respiratory responses of both sEA and control (CTL) horses experimentally exposed to steamed or dry hay. Results A cohort of 6 sEA horses and 6 CTL horses was involved in this field study. On day 0, both groups were fed with steamed hay for 5 consecutive days, followed by a wash-out period of 26 days prior to be fed with dry hay for 5 consecutive days. Investigations performed 2 days prior to and 5 days after each challenge included clinical score, tracheal mucus accumulation, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology and cytokine mRNA expression. Feeding steamed hay significantly decreased its mould content (P < 0.001). Mucus score significantly increased when feeding dry hay (P = 0.01). No significant influence of challenge type was found on clinical score. Percentages of neutrophils (P < 0.001) as well as mRNA expression of IL-1β (P = 0.024), IL-6R (P = 0.021), IL-18 (P = 0.009) and IL-23 (P = 0.036) in BALF of sEA affected horses were significantly increased after both (steamed and dry hay) challenges. Relative mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6R and IL-23 in BALF were also significantly correlated to neutrophil percentages and both clinical and tracheal mucus score. Conclusions Steaming significantly decreased mould content but inconsistently influenced the respiratory response of sEA affected horses when fed hay. Based on BALF cytology and cytokine profiles, its relevance might be controversial as a non-medicinal therapy for sEA-affected horses

Cytological profiles of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: a retrospective study

International audienc

Cytological profiles of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: a retrospective study

International audienc

Comparaison of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage for cytological diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in horses

International audienc

Profils cytologiques de liquide de lavage bronchoalvéolaire chez les chevaux: étude rétrospective (2013 – 2015)

International audienc

Profils cytologiques de liquide de lavage bronchoalvéolaire chez les chevaux : étude rétrospective (2013-2015).

National audienc

Sex steroids in serum of prepubertal male and female horses and correlation with bone characteristics

International audienceWe used radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure monthly serum levels of unconjugated and conjugated sex steroids (testosterone T, androstenedione A, estradiol E(2), and estrone E(1)) in 4 male and 4 female foals during their first year of life. Maximal production of sex steroids was detected from April to August with hormonal peaks, corresponding to the natural breeding season in adults. In males, only A levels were more steady. Total estrogens (unconjugated plus conjugated E(2) and E(1)) were the major steroids in immature males in contrast to adults. Estrogens generally peaked in young females before males; the major estrogen was E(1), and total estrogens overtook total androgens (unconjugated and conjugated T and unconjugated A). We also sampled 3 male and 3 female foals with bone alterations in adulthood. For all animals, serum levels of four bone formation markers were obtained: osteocalcin (O), hydroxyproline (HP), and alkaline phosphatase (AP), and a radiographic score was determined. Only male foals with normal skeletal frame (good radiographic score GRS) in adulthood showed a correlation (P < 0.01) between the distribution frequency of each bone formation marker and unconjugated E(2) or E(1) levels; this finding highlighted the role of unconjugated estrogens in bone maturation in horses, since this was not found in the groups with bone alterations. In females, the threshold of estrogen synthesis and sensitivity was probably sufficient to be a nonlimiting factor at this stage of development. Our results strongly suggest a differential regulation of the estrogen/androgen balance in horses according to sex, sexual maturation, and photoperiod. Moreover, estrogens appear to be crucial for skeletal development in male colts, and these steroids are good modulators of skeletal frame characteristics in adulthood

Evolution of some biochemical markers of growth in relation with osteoarticular status in young horses : a longitudinal study in three breeds

International audienceOsteocalcin (OC), bone fraction of alkaline phosphatases (BAP) and hydroxyproline (HOP) are markers of bone cell activity. The kinetics of these markers and the analysis of their variations could be related to the osteoarticular status (OAS) of young horses. The growth of Thoroughbreds, French Trotters and Selle Français horses was followed up to 18 months. Blood samples were taken regularly to measure OC, HOP and BAP by standardized techniques. The OAS was evaluated by radiographic examination of the limbs. Based on radiographic findings, two groups of horses were investigated, with no lesions or severely affected. Analysis of variance was used to detect the effects of age and breed, and OAS on parameters. The logarithmic model was used to determine the kinetics of the markers. A rapid decrease in marker concentrations with age and differences between breed was observed. At birth, BAP, OC and HOP concentrations were significantly higher in normal horses (1910 UI l− 1, 192 ng ml− 1 and 35 mg l− 1, respectively) than in horses with severe lesions (1620 UI l− 1, 149 ng ml− 1 and 24 mg l− 1, respectively). During the first 6 months, OC, HOP and BAP remained lower in severely affected horses

Evolution des paramètres hématologiques et biochimiques en relation avec le statut ostéo-articulaire du cheval en croissance

National audienc

Biochemical markers of bone activity in relation with the osteoarticular status in pre-training horses

National audienc