Jo-Anne Murray

Semi-quantitative analysis of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Streptococcus bovis in the equine large intestine using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

There is a need to further our understanding of the role that the equine hindgut ecosystem plays in digestive processes and diseases. The aim of the present study was to utilise the real-time PCR technique to determine the abundance of candidate cellulolytic (Ruminococcus flavefaciens; Fibrobacter succinogenes) and non-cellulolytic (Streptococcus bovis) bacteria in lumen contents from the caecum, ventral and dorsal colon, and rectum of healthy horses (n 14). Total DNA was extracted from frozen and lyophilised lumen contents, and PCR primers and Taqman probes were designed based on 16S rDNA sequences for specific detection of candidate bacterial species. Overall, in frozen and lyophilised digesta, there were significantly (P F. succinogenes > S. bovis (P < 0.05), while in lyophilised digesta R. flavefaciens was present in significantly (P < 0.05) greater amounts than F. succinogenes and S. bovis. R. flavefaciens and F. succinogenes were abundant at significantly (P < 0.05) greater levels in lyophilised digesta v. frozen digesta, with no difference in S. bovis levels. These data indicate that for these bacteria at least, faeces are a suitable model for studying the bacterial ecosystem within the equine colon. The present study also indicates that the preservation method of digesta affects levels of bacteria detected.

The effect of enzyme treatment on the in vitro fermentation of Lucerne incubated with equine faecal inocula

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effects of a fibrolytic enzyme preparation (enzyme 1; E1) on the in vitro fermentation of lucerne incubated with equine faecal inocula. In experiment 1, high-temperature-dried (HT) lucerne was treated with five levels of E1 (0 to 2.4 ml/g DM) and incubated at 50 degrees C for 20 h. Samples then received a simulated foregut digestion (SFD) treatment before DM and NSP analysis. In experiment 2, HT lucerne was treated with the same enzyme levels used in experiment 1. Samples were then split into two groups; plus or minus an SFD treatment before in vitro fermentation using an equine faecal inoculum. In experiment 3, fresh and wilted lucerne were treated with the same levels of E1 as experiments 1 and 2, incubated at 50 degrees C for 20 h, then fermented in vitro. For experiment 4, fresh and wilted lucerne were treated with low levels (0 to 0.008 ml/g DM) of E1 before fermentation. E1 significantly (P<0.05) enhanced DM and NSP losses from HT lucerne following SFD treatment compared with the control. High levels of E1 significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the rate, but not extent, of fermentation of HT, wilted and fresh lucerne; however, low levels of E1 were ineffective. At higher application levels, E1 appears to have considerable potential to enhance the nutritive value of lucerne for horses. Information on the fermentation kinetics of the substrates was valuable; all end-point measurements showed no effect of enzyme treatment.

The effect of feeding a low- or a high-starch diet on the in vitro fermentative capacity of equine faecal inocula

Murray, J. M. D., Longland, A., Moore-Colyer, M., Dunnett, C. (2006). The effect of feeding a low- or a high-starch diet on the in vitro fermentative capacity of equine faecal inocula. Animal Science, 82, (5), 627-635. Sponsorship: Dengie Crops Ltd and BBSRC

Animal-Handling Teaching at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

This article describes the teaching of animal handling at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, as part of an animal husbandry course during the first two years of the veterinary curriculum. Basic methods of handling and restraint appropriate for the wide range of animal species that might be encountered in veterinary practice are demonstrated in practical handling classes. Students are given opportunities to practice the techniques under supervision. Additional handling experience is available during extramural studies in animal husbandry at a variety of establishments. Students are formally examined on their ability to handle and restrain animals, and each is required to reach a threshold degree of competence before progressing to the clinical years.

Effects of probiotic Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the faecal microflora of pet rabbits

OBJECTIVES Probiotics are frequently used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in pet rabbits based largely on anecdotal evidence of a beneficial effect. However, there has been little work performed to assess any such benefit in health or disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of probiotics on faecal levels of four important candidate gastrointestinal bacteria (Bacteroides species, Enterococcus faecium, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Clostridium spiroforme) in pet rabbits. Additional aims were to evaluate the effect of probiotics on bodyweight and faecal weight and diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS Double-blind triple cross-over study in six healthy rabbits orally administered two probiotic strains, Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47 and E. faecium NCIMB 30183. Levels of bacteria in faecal pellets were subsequently determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Oral administration of probiotic E. faecium NCIMB 30183 was associated with a significant (P = 0 · 042) increase in faecal levels of E. faecium. However, probiotic treatment did not affect faecal levels of Bacteroides species, F. succinogenes or C. spiroforme, bodyweight, or faecal weight and diameter. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The inclusion of dietary probiotic supplementation using E. faecium NCIMB 30183 can increase faecal levels of certain bacterial flora of healthy adult rabbits. Further work is required to investigate the effects of probiotics in animals affected with gastrointestinal disease.

Participants’ perceptions of a MOOC

There is currently limited information available on participants’ perceptions of massive open online courses (MOOCs). This article presents the findings of a study at the University of Edinburgh examining the perceptions of a group of participants registered on a MOOC in equine nutrition, which ran for a period of five weeks and attracted 24,000 students to register. A self-completion survey was designed with a series of Likert scale questions, organized to gather students’ perceptions of participating in the MOOC. Participants on this course rated the learning materials and overall MOOC experience very highly; however, further work is required to elucidate why a much lower percentage of participants held the interactions in less regard.

Equine dietary supplements: an insight into their use and perceptions in the Irish equine industry

BackgroundNutritional supplements are frequently used by horse owners/caregivers to supplement their horse(s) diets. Some work has been done to identify the types of supplements fed and the reasons for doing so; however, this has been predominantly disciple-specific and with little focus on participants’ perceptions of supplement testing and regulation. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the use and perceptions of equine dietary supplements in the Irish equestrian industry.MethodsAn online survey was designed to ascertain the following information: demographics, types of supplements fed and reasons for use, factors that influenced respondents’ choice of supplement, where advice was sought and perceptions of testing and regulation of equine supplementsResultsThe survey yielded 134 responses, 70% non-professionals and 30% professionals. A greater percentage of professionals included supplements in their horse(s) diets (98%) compared to non-professionals (86%). Almost 70% of professionals fed more than two supplements, whereas 80% of non-professionals reported to feed only one supplement. Joint supplements were most commonly fed by all respondents (22%) followed by calming supplements (13%). The enhancement of performance (35%) and prevention of joint disorders (34%) were the most common reasons reported by respondents for using a supplement. Over 53% of respondents sought advice on choosing a supplement from their feed merchant, followed by their veterinarian (46%). Veterinary recommendation was given as the most influential factor when choosing a supplement by 90% of respondents, followed by cost (69%). Most (93%) respondents thought that feed supplements had to meet legal standards, with each batch analysed for quality (72%) and the supplement tested on horses before being launched on to the market (92%).ConclusionThis study has identified the main types of supplements used in the Irish equestrian industry along with the reasons for their use. However, it has also highlighted major misperceptions in how supplements are tested before being launched for sale and further work on this aspect of the findings would be beneficial.

Feeding and management practices for racehorses in Turkey

Abstract The aim of this study was to gather information on feeding practices and to identify nutrient imbalances of racehorses in Turkey. A total of 134 racehorses who visited the Turkish Jockey Club Racecourse Equine Hospital in Istanbul were referred for professional nutritional advice in 2013. Each horse was examined, and body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), exercise level, feeding practices, reasons for the veterinary visit as well as feed and supplement intake were recorded. Intakes of energy, crude nutrients, starch, sugar, and minerals were calculated and compared to the requirements. Descriptive data were calculated using commercial statistical software (IBM SPSS Statistics 24, Chicago, IL). The median age of the population was 3 years. The mean BW of the horses was 423 ± 38.4 kg, and BCS was 4.5/9 ± 0.7. Nearly all (99.2%) horses were fed grass hay, and 61% of the horses received alfalfa as well. The average forage intake was 1.0 ± 0.4% of BW/d. The average intake of concentrate was 1.2 ± 0.4% of BW. Forty‐nine percent of the horses were fed supplements, and only 12% received oil. The mean metabolizable energy (ME) intake was 1.0 ± 0.2 MJ ME/kg BW0.75 for thoroughbreds and 0.9 ± 0.1 MJ ME/kg BW0.75 for Arabians. The calculated mean starch intake was 5.0 ± 2.2 g/kg BW, and the sugar intake was 1.2 ± 0.4 g/kg BW. Communication between horse owners/trainers and the equine nutritionists are needed with regard to formulating a proper diet for each horse. HighlightsFeeding practices of racehorses in Turkey were evaluated.Nearly all horses were fed grass hay, and some of the horses received alfalfa as well.Grass hay was particularly poor on protein level.Lack of roughage and excess of concentrates are the most important faults.In the majority of the diets, at least one of the vitamins, macromineral or micromineral content was deficient.

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Effect of Live Yeast Culture Supplementation on Fibrolytic and Saccharolytic Bacterial Populations in the Feces of Horses Fed a High-Fiber or High-Starch Diet

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the effect of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation on the populations of specific cellulolytic (Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens) and saccharolytic (Streptococcus equinus and Streptococcus bovis) bacteria in the feces of horses fed high‐starch and high‐fiber diets. Four horses were each fed diets consisting of high fiber with no yeast (HF), high fiber with yeast (HFY), high starch with no yeast (HS), and high starch with yeast (HSY) in a 4 × 4 Latin‐square design study. Fresh fecal samples were collected on the last 3 days of each 31‐day experimental period and were then assessed, using semiquantitative real‐time PCR, for total bacterial load and levels of target bacterial species, relative to the total bacterial load. The most abundant of the target species was F. succinogenes, and the HSY diet resulted in a significant (P = .045) reduction in relative levels of this bacterium. No significant effect (P = .224) of diet was observed in relation to abundance of R. flavefaciens. Results show that diet did not have a significant (P = .068) effect on relative quantities of S. equinus, although there appeared to be a trend for increased levels of this bacterium during feeding of high‐starch diets. Numbers of S. bovis were higher (P < .001) when horses were fed HS and HSY diets than when fed the HF and HFY diets. Significant variation in levels of S. equinus (P = .024) and S. bovis (P = .049) was observed between individual horses. HIGHLIGHTSWe examined the effect of live yeast on equine large intestinal bacterial populations.Horses were fed a low‐ or high‐starch diet.Bacterial populations were affected by diet but not by yeast supplementation.