Yousuke Maeda

Epidemiology of racing injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses with special reference to bone fractures: Japanese experience from the 1980s to 2000s

ABSTRACT This report describes the descriptive epidemiology of racing fractures that occurred from the 1980s to 2000s on racetracks of the Japan Racing Association (JRA). The incidence of racehorse fractures during flat racing was approximately 1–2%. Fractures occurring during a race are more likely to occur in a forelimb. Fractures mostly occur at the third and fourth corners of oval tracks and on the home stretch. They also occur more frequently at the time of changing the leading limb. Comparison of the incidence of racing fracture between before and after reconstruction of the geometrical configuration of a racetrack revealed that there was an outstanding reduction in the number of serious fractures in the year before and after reconstruction. It was postulated that the improvement in racing time, possibly influenced by reconstructing the geometrical configuration of the racetrack, was connected to the reduction in the number of fractures. Of non-biological race- and course-related factors, type of course (dirt or turf), track surface condition, differences between racecourses, and racing distance significantly influence racing time. By using an instrumented shoe, vertical ground reaction forces (VGRFs) on the forelimb during galloping and the relationships between a rough dirt and woodchip track surface and a smooth dirt and woodchip surface were measured. Relating the incidence of racing fractures with track conditions in general showed that track surface has significant effects on the incidence of fracture, with the incidence of fractures increasing as track conditions on dirt worsen and a tendency for the incidence of fractures to decrease as track conditions on turf worsen. It seems probable that track condition in general may affect the incidence of fracture. The incidence of fracture in horses during both racing and training decreased as the years progressed.

Equine Endometrial Gland Density and Endometrial Thickness Vary among Sampling Sites in Thoroughbred Mares.

The secretions of the equine endometrial glands are essential for the survival, growth, and development of the conceptus in early pregnancy, and endometrial gland density is directly related to successful pregnancy outcome. Endometrial biopsy is routinely used to assess the reproductive potential of broodmares. Some previous studies have shown that equine endometrial glands are uniformly distributed throughout the uterus; however, other work has shown variation of the endometrial architecture between biopsy sites, suggesting that a single biopsy is not representative of the entire endometrium. The aims of this study were to assess and compare the endometrial gland density and thickness at four sampling sites in the uterus (the central segment of each uterine horn, the uterine horn-body junction, and the caudal portion of the uterine body). Endometrial samples from five nulliparous Thoroughbred mares in diestrus were obtained at necropsy and used for subsequent histomorphometric analysis. The caudal uterine body had a significantly lower endometrial gland density and endometrial thickness than the other sites. This may result in nutrient deprivation and reduced survival of embryos or fetuses in this region of the uterus. The endometrial gland density and endometrial thickness did not significantly differ between the other regions sampled, indicating that they are similarly suitable for embryonic implantation and fetal development. Our results suggest that the endometrial structure of the caudal uterine body of the mare is not representative of the endometrial morphology at other sites. Thus, the caudal uterine body is not a suitable site for routine endometrial biopsy.

Comparison of cytokine mRNA expression in peripheral CD4+, CD8+ and γδ T cells between healthy Holstein and Japanese Black calves

Japanese Black (JB) calves are more susceptible to infectious diseases compared to Holstein (Hol) calves. To clarify the immunological differences between JB and Hol calves, expression of cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) was examined using peripheral CD4(+) , CD8(+) and γδ T cells. Healthy calves, 24 from each species, were examined. Blood samples were obtained from calves at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months old, eight calves for each age of each species. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with phytohemagglutin (PHA), and T cell subsets were isolated by positive selection using magnetic cell sorting (MACS). Levels of interlekin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA in three T cell subsets were analyzed. WC1-N1(+) γδ T cell percentages were significantly lower in JB calves at 1 week and 1 month of age compared to Hol calves. In addition JB calves had significantly lower IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ mRNA in WC1-N1(+) γδ T cells at 1 and 3 months of age, whereas there were no significant differences in cytokine mRNA of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells between the two groups. Decreased cytokine mRNA and cell number of peripheral γδ T cells may affect negatively on the immune system of JB calves.