Article
Evolutionary Biology
Pablo Librado, Ludovic Orlando
Summary: The equid family, comprising the genus Equus, shows a rich diversity and dynamic evolution history, with recent advancements in genomic technologies enhancing our understanding of species radiation, extinction dynamics, and domestication history within the Equus genus.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANIMAL BIOSCIENCES, VOL 9, 2021
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Jia Zhang, Lixia Zhao, Yuting Fu, Fangyuan Liu, Zixin Wang, Yunxia Li, Gaoping Zhao, Wei Sun, Baojiang Wu, Yongli Song, Shaohua Li, Chunxia Hao, Bilige Wuyun, Rihan Wu, Moning Liu, Guifang Cao, Buhe Nashun, M. Azim Surani, Qingyuan Sun, Siqin Bao, Pentao Liu, Xihe Li
Summary: This study found significant differences in proliferation, apoptosis, and glycolysis between adult fibroblasts of mules, donkeys, and horses. The reprogramming efficiency of mule fibroblasts was significantly higher than that of donkey and horse cells. The establishment of mule induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs) provides a unique research material for studying hybrid gamete formation.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rosaria Marino, Antonella della Malva, Aristide Maggiolino, Pasquale De Palo, Francesca D'Angelo, Jose Manuel Lorenzo, Agostino Sevi, Marzia Albenzio
Summary: This study investigates the effect of aging time on the nutritional properties of different muscles in horse and donkey meat. The results show that horse and donkey meat are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and essential amino acids (EAA), making them healthy alternatives to red meat. The aging time had no effect on the nutritional profile of horse meat, but in donkey meat, it led to a decrease in PUFA content. Different muscles in horse and donkey showed variations in fatty acid composition.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sonali, Anuradha Bhardwaj, Unnati Unnati, Varij Nayan, Ram Avatar Legha, Tarun Kumar Bhattacharya, Yash Pal, Shiv Kumar Giri
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify and characterize novel polymorphisms or SNPs in the DMRT3 gene in Indian horse and donkey breeds. The DMRT3 gene was sequenced and characterized in 72 Indian horses and 33 Indian donkeys, revealing a SNP at position 878 in horses and identical SNPs at positions 878 and 942 in donkeys. These mutations have a major impact on gaitedness in horses and are present at a high frequency in gaited breeds and horses bred for harness racing.
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Paola Stratico, Giulia Guerri, Adriana Palozzo, Vincenzo Varasano, Lucio Petrizzi
Summary: This review evaluates the applications and development of urogenital laparoscopy from 2001 to 2021. The results show that gonadal disorders received the most attention in research, and Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS) and laparoscopic-assisted surgery were valuable options for more challenging conditions.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elena Barrio Fernandez, Ignacio De Blas Giral, Alex K. Thiemann, F. J. Vazquez Bringas
Summary: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of relinquished donkeys and to better understand their current preventative healthcare status. The results showed that many donkeys arrived without a valid passport or microchip, and some suffered from severe dental disease. The study highlights the need for improving preventative healthcare in donkeys to ensure better welfare.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Javier Caballero-Gomez, Antonio Rivero-Juarez, David Cano-Terriza, Tomas Fajardo, Francesco Buono, Eduard Jose-Cunilleras, Jesus Garcia, Eduardo Alguacil, Antonio Rivero, Ignacio Garcia-Bocanegra
Summary: This study aimed to assess the circulation of HEV in equid species in Europe and identify potential risk factors associated with infection and exposure. The results showed a low, spatially homogeneous and widespread transmission of HEV in equid populations, but with different patterns among species. Donkeys and mules/hinnies appeared to play a limited role in the epidemiology of the virus and further research is needed to determine the risk of zoonotic transmission.
Review
Parasitology
Catarina Jota Baptista, Endre Sos, Luis Madeira de Carvalho
Summary: The study found many similarities in gastrointestinal parasite communities between Przewalski's horses and domestic horses, but not all parasites found in domestic horses have been reported in surveys of Przewalski's horses. Continuous monitoring studies in different environments are necessary to support one-off surveys.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Marianne Vidament, Coralie Bonneau, Lea Lansade
Summary: This study conducted behavioral tests on horses and donkeys and found that donkeys showed less movement, less tense posture, and less evasive behaviors compared to horses during certain tests. However, they exhibited similar behaviors to horses in suddenness tests and when free in an open field. The study also found similarities in the personality structure between horses and donkeys, but with gender differences.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sabrina Gacem, Jaime Catalan, Ivan Yanez-Ortiz, Carles Soler, Jordi Miro
Summary: The study compared two methods for evaluating equid semen morphology, Trumorph(R) and eosin-nigrosine stain, and found that both methods produced similar results that can be used for morphological analysis of stallion and donkey sperm. Trumorph(R) using living sperm helps prevent sperm cell alteration during sample preparation, making it a good alternative to the conventional staining method for quick live sperm testing.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Syed S. U. H. Bukhari, Alan G. McElligott, Rebecca S. V. Parkes
Summary: The review highlights the importance of understanding load-carrying capacity in equids and the need for evidence-based guidelines. Various parameters, such as gait symmetry and physiological factors, are used to determine the effects of loading on animals. Further research is necessary to standardize the measurement of load-carrying capacity in working horses and donkeys.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jill K. Maney, Brighton T. Dzikiti, Andre Escobar, Heather K. Knych, Rachel C. Bennett
Summary: This study aims to determine the antinociceptive effects of morphine in donkeys and describe the pharmacokinetic parameters of morphine in donkeys. The results showed that morphine provided effective mechanical antinociception in donkeys, with better effects at higher doses.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Francesco Buono, Vincenzo Veneziano, Fabrizia Veronesi, Marcelo Beltrao Molento
Summary: The similarities in endoparasitic infections between horses and donkeys were discussed at the conference. Despite genetic differences, both species face similar parasite threats. The helminth biodiversity, distribution, and intensity vary among different geographical locations and breeds. It is important to consider the risk of passive infection in donkeys and use selective treatment based on fecal egg counts.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jana Maria Nemmer, Marcus Kuchner, Angeliki Datsi, Peter Olah, Valerie Julia, Ulrike Raap, Bernhard Homey
Summary: Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms in dermatology and general medicine, severely impairing the quality of life of affected patients. IL-31 and its receptor complex play important roles in diseases such as atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jaime Catalan, Ivan Yanez-Ortiz, Iris Martinez-Rodero, Yentel Mateo-Otero, Pau Nolis, Marc Yeste, Jordi Miro
Summary: This study characterizes and compares the seminal plasma (SP) metabolites of donkeys and horses using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Differences were observed in the concentration of metabolites between the two species, as well as between ejaculates of different quality. These findings suggest that donkey and horse sperm differ in their metabolism and energetic requirements, and that specific SP metabolites may be related to sperm functionality.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tosso Leeb, Danika Bannasch, Jeffrey J. Schoenebeck
Summary: Advances in DNA sequencing and other technologies have made it easier to identify genetic risk factors for inherited diseases in dogs. Researchers have reviewed recent technological developments in canine disease genetics and suggest that identifying disease-causing variants in dogs with monogenic diseases may become a widely used diagnostic approach in veterinary medicine. The study also discusses the challenges posed by diseases with complex modes of inheritance and provides insights on interpreting sequence variants based on developments in human clinical genetics.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANIMAL BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sarah Kiener, Susanne Ahman, Vidhya Jagannathan, Sara Soto, Tosso Leeb
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Matthias Christen, Odette Ludwig-Peisker, Vidhya Jagannathan, Udo Hetzel, Ulrike Schoenball, Tosso Leeb
Summary: This study reports a case of primary ciliary dyskinesia in an Australian Shepherd dog, characterized by impaired movement of respiratory cilia. Whole genome sequencing and RT-PCR analysis revealed a mutation in the STK36 gene as the most likely candidate variant for the disease. These findings have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and breeding strategies.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sarah Kiener, Ching Yang, Naomi Rich, Vidhya Jagannathan, Elizabeth A. A. Mauldin, Tosso Leeb
Summary: Darier disease is a skin disorder caused by genetic variants in the ATP2A2 gene, leading to calcium signaling defects and characteristic skin lesions. A study identified a heterozygous missense variant in the ATP2A2 gene in a Shih Tzu dog with erythematous papules and ear nodules. These findings confirm the diagnosis of canine Darier disease and demonstrate the potential of genetic analysis as a diagnostic approach in veterinary medicine.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sarah Kiener, Eloy Castilla, Vidhya Jagannathan, Monika Welle, Tosso Leeb
Summary: This study investigated a 9-month-old Chihuahua with non-epidermolytic ichthyosis. A genetic defect was identified in the SDR9C7 gene, which is involved in the production of a functional corneocyte lipid envelope. This is the first report of a spontaneous SDR9C7 variant in domestic animals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephanie Hilton, Matthias Christen, Thomas Bilzer, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb, Urs Giger
Summary: This study describes a clinically mild and slowly progressive muscular dystrophy in a family of Maine Coon crossbred cats. The cats exhibit marked structural changes in their muscles, but protein modeling suggests that the identified gene variant may not have a major impact on protein function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ricardo Di Lazzaro Filho, Guilherme Lopes Yamamoto, Tiago J. Silva, Leticia A. Rocha, Bianca D. W. Linnenkamp, Matheus Augusto Araujo Castro, Deborah Bartholdi, Andre Schaller, Tosso Leeb, Samantha Kelmann, Claudia Y. Utagawa, Carlos E. Steiner, Leandra Steinmetz, Rachel Sayuri Honjo, Chong Ae Kim, Lisa Wang, Raphael Abourjaili-Bilodeau, Philippe Campeau, Matthew Warman, Maria Rita Passos-Bueno, Nicolas C. Hoch, Debora Romeo Bertola
Summary: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by poikiloderma. We reported on six Brazilian probands and two siblings of Swiss/Portuguese ancestry with severe short stature, widespread poikiloderma, and congenital ocular anomalies. Genomic and functional analysis revealed compound heterozygosity for a deep intronic splicing variant in trans with loss of function variants in DNA2, expanding the phenotypical spectrum of DNA2 mutations.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Letter
Veterinary Sciences
Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana, Matthias Christen, Kiterie M. E. Faller, Julien Guevar, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Michaela Drogemuller, Nadine Klein, Rikke Lill Steffensen, Miriam Keiner, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb
Summary: A female Lagotto Romagnolo dog and her offspring with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) were studied. The affected dogs showed no clinical symptoms but had renal cysts detected by sonography. Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed a de novo heterozygous nonsense variant in the PKD1 gene, which is predicted to truncate the wild-type PKD1 protein. The finding suggests that this mutation is the cause of PKD in the affected dogs and may serve as an animal model for similar diseases in humans.
Article
Cell Biology
Sophia Jenni, Odette Ludwig-Peisker, Vidhya Jagannathan, Sandra Lapsina, Martina Stirn, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Nikolay Bogdanov, Nelli Schetle, Urs Giger, Tosso Leeb, Anna Bogdanova
Summary: This study describes the clinical, pathophysiological, and molecular genetic features of a cat with hereditary methemoglobinemia. Genetic analyses revealed a single homozygous base exchange in the CYB5R3 gene, resulting in a splice defect and expression of two mutant CYB5R3 transcripts. The affected cat showed characteristics such as increased red blood cell fragility and deformability, glutathione overload, and morphological alterations typical for stress erythropoiesis associated with methemoglobinemia.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Diletta Dell'Apa, Martina Fumeo, Antonella Volta, Marco Bernardini, Francesca Fidanzio, Valentina Buffagni, Matthias Christen, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb, Ezio Bianchi
Summary: Two boxer dogs from the same litter presented with urinary and fecal incontinence at 3 months of age. They both had an abnormal tail, atonic anal sphincter, and absent perineal reflex and sensation. Radiology and CT scan revealed sacral agenesis with abnormalities in the spine.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Matthias Christen, Isabel Zdora, Michael Leschnik, Vidhya Jagannathan, Christina Puff, Enrice Huenerfauth, Holger A. Volk, Wolfgang Baumgaertner, Tessa C. Koch, Wencke Schaefer, Miriam Kleiter, Tosso Leeb
Summary: There are several genetically distinct forms of cerebellar ataxia in Belgian shepherd dogs. In this study, two puppies from a litter developed cerebellar ataxia and showed clinical signs that stabilized but remained visible into adulthood. Through genetic analysis, a homozygous deletion in exon 35 of the RALGAPA1 gene was identified as the likely causative defect for the observed phenotype.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sarah Kiener, Heather Troyer, Daniel Ruvolo, Paula Grest, Sara Soto, Anna Letko, Vidhya Jagannathan, Tosso Leeb, Elizabeth A. Mauldin, Ching Yang, Ana Rostaher
Summary: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by defective adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis. This study identified COL17A1 gene variants as the cause of EB in two cats, providing new insights into the diagnosis and genotype-phenotype correlation of this disease.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Barbara Brunetti, Barbara Bacci, Jessica Maria Abbate, Giorgia Tura, Orlando Paciello, Emanuela Vaccaro, Francesco Prisco, Gualtiero Gandini, Samuel Okonji, Andrea di Paola, Anna Letko, Cord Drogemuller, Vidhya Jagannathan, Maria Elena Turba, Tolulope Grace Ogundipe, Luca Lorenzini, Marco Rosati, Dimitra Psalla, Tosso Leeb, Michaela Drogemuller
Summary: An 8-month-old Lagotto Romagnolo dog was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy based on pathological and genetic analysis. The gene variant associated with this disease is rare in the breeding population of this breed.
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Tosso Leeb
Summary: Wolves were the first animals to be domesticated by humans, and thousands of generations of dog breeding have resulted in more than 350 recognized breeds with distinct morphological, behavioral, and disease predisposition differences. The domestication and breeding of dogs can be seen as a significant genetic experiment for humans, providing unique research opportunities. This special issue, titled Canine Genetics 2, focuses on the importance of canine genetics and includes reports on genetic diseases in dogs, as well as research on wild canids, genetic diversity, and canine morphology.