Mesure de la respiration musculaire par respirométrie à haute résolution

in Pratique Vétérinaire Equine (2011), 43(170), 35-37

This technical note describes the reference method for screening the mitochondrial function in horses.

Analysis of mRNA expression in equine skeletal muscle highlights the existence of oxidative stress, inflammation, modified immune response and increased oxidative metabolism induced by a 120 km endurance race

Poster (2011)

Subclinical diseases affecting performance in Standardbred trotters: Diagnostic methods and predictive parameters

in Veterinary Journal (2010), 184(3), 282-289

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of sub-clinical diseases in poorly-performing Standardbred horses, compare their physiological response to exercise with control horses, and ... [more ▼]

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of sub-clinical diseases in poorly-performing Standardbred horses, compare their physiological response to exercise with control horses, and identify predictive parameters of poor-performance. Fifty horses underwent thorough clinical and ancillary examinations, including haematological and biochemical evaluation, Doppler echocardiography, standardised exercise tests (SETs) on both treadmill and racetrack, treadmill video-endoscopy and collection of respiratory fluids. Most of the poorly-performing horses exhibited many concomitant diseases. The most frequently diagnosed problems involved the lower and upper respiratory tract and the musculoskeletal system. Poor-performers had lower speeds at a blood lactate (LA) concentration of 4 mmol/L (VLA4) and a heart rate (HR) of 200 bpm (V200) on treadmill and racetrack, as well as lower values for haematological parameters, plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme and antioxidants, compared to control horses. Problems of the respiratory system were the most frequently diagnosed sub-clinical diseases affecting performance. SETs, together with some blood markers, may be useful as a non-specific diagnostic tool for early detection of diseases that may affect performance. [less ▲]

Hydratation and electrolyte balance in horses during an endurance season

in Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement (2010), 42(38), 98-104

Influence of subclinical inflammatory airway disease on equine respiratory function evalueated by impulse oscillometry

in Equine Veterinary Journal (2009), 41(4), 384-389

Reasons for performing study: Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a nonseptic condition of the lower respiratory tract. Its negative impact on respiratory function has previously <br /><br />been ... [more ▼]

Reasons for performing study: Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a nonseptic condition of the lower respiratory tract. Its negative impact on respiratory function has previously <br /><br />been described using either forced expiration or forced oscillations techniques. However, sedation or drug-induced bronchoconstriction were usually required. The impulse <br /><br />oscillometry system (IOS) is a noninvasive and sensitive respiratory function test validated in horses, which could be useful to evaluate IAD-affected horses without further <br /><br />procedures. <br /><br />Objectives: To determine the sensitivity of IOS in detecting alterations of the respiratory function in subclinically IAD-affected horses without inducing bronchoprovocation and to characterise their respiratory impedance according to frequency for each respiratory phase. <br /><br />Methods: Pulmonary function was evaluated at rest by IOS in 34 Standardbred trotters. According to the cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), 19 horses were defined <br /><br />as IAD-affected and 15 horses were used as control (CTL). Total respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) from 1–20 Hz as well as their inspiratory and expiratory <br /><br />components were compared between groups. <br /><br />Results: A significant increase of Rrs at the lower frequencies (R1–10 Hz) as well as a significant decrease of Xrs beyond 5 Hz (X5–20 Hz) was observed in IAD compared to CTL horses. IOS-data was also significantly different between inspiration and expiration in IAD-affected horses. In the whole population, both BALF eosinophil and mast cell counts were <br /><br />significantly correlated with IOS measurements. <br /><br />Conclusions: Functional respiratory impairment may be measured, even in the absence of clinical signs of disease. In IAD-affected horses, the different parameters of respiratory <br /><br />function (Rrs or Xrs) may vary depending on the inflammatory cell profiles represented in BALF. <br /><br />Potential relevance: Impulse oscillometry could be used in a routine clinical setting as a noninvasive method for early detection of subclinical respiratory disease and of the results <br /><br />of treatment in horses. [less ▲]

Effect of breed on Doppler echocardiographic measurements in equids

in Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Congress of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) (2009)

Laboratory findings in respiratory fluids of the poorly-performing horse

in Veterinary Journal (2009)

Any disorder impairing a performance horse’s ability to ventilate its lungs and exchange oxygen compromises exercise performance in any discipline. Since bronchoalveolar lavage was described in horses in ... [more ▼]

Any disorder impairing a performance horse’s ability to ventilate its lungs and exchange oxygen compromises exercise performance in any discipline. Since bronchoalveolar lavage was described in horses in the early 1980s, laboratory evaluation of respiratory fluids, along with clinical and functional assessment of the respiratory system, has become a relevant step in the diagnosis of respiratory disease affecting performance. The aim of this review is to provide objective information to assist clinicians in interpreting laboratory findings by (1) summarising published cytological references values in both clinically healthy horses and those with various airway diseases, (2) assessing the influence of physiological circumstances, such as exercise, on the cytological evaluation, (3) discussing the relationship between cytological and microbiological analyses, clinical signs and respiratory function, and (4) suggesting how this latter relationship may affect performance. [less ▲]

Pourquoi examiner le cheval à l’effort ?

in 35ème Journée de la Recherche équine (2009)

Examination of the horse during daily work is essential to follow-up his athletic préparation, however a good level of expérience is required to judge if he is ready to perform in compétition. Beyond thé ... [more ▼]

Examination of the horse during daily work is essential to follow-up his athletic préparation, however a good level of expérience is required to judge if he is ready to perform in compétition. Beyond thé subjective estimation of his behaviour and progress, objective parameters can be measured to evaluate his athletic capacity, level of fitness and health. Simple exercise tests can be integrated to thé horse's regular work schedule and parameters such as speed, heart rate and cardio-respiratory recovery may be readily monitored and compared during thé course of thé season. More sophisticated tests allow investigating exercise physiology of thé horse during exertion and thé way he tolerates and adapts to physical strain. It also allows early détection of subclinical diseases liable to impair performance. Like in human sports medicine, treadmill tests represent a safe investigation tool that is particularly well adapted to examining horses during exercise and helps diagnose one or several causes of poor performance, as many ancillary examinations may be implemented. [less ▲]

Evaluation de la condition physique chez le cheval d’endurance : comparaison d’un test de terrain adapté et d’un test sur tapis roulant

in 36èmes Journées AVEF (2008)

Le stress oxydant est modifié en fonction du statut clinique chez les trotteurs à l’entraînement

in 36èmes Journées AVEF (2008)