Royal Veterinary College | Horse Racing Free Tips

Inbreeding Contributes To Mid- And Late-Term Pregnancy Loss In Thoroughbreds

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), in collaboration with Cornell University, has found that inbreeding is a contributing factor to mid- and late-term pregnancy loss (MLPL), but not early pregnancy loss (EPL) in thoroughbreds. This is the first study which explores the effect of genomic inbreeding levels on late-term pregnancy loss in the horse and will help inform mating choices to minimise the risk of miscarriages in thoroughbreds.

Inbreeding is a common practice in the livestock industry because individuals with desirable traits are highly prized for breeding. However, excessive inbreeding is known to increase the probability of uncovering homozygous recessive genotypes which have previously been associated with an increased risk of retained placenta and lower semen quality in horses.

Approximately five to 10 per cent of equine pregnancies end in early pregnancy loss and a further seven percent of pregnancies are lost between day 70 of gestation and 24 hours post parturition (MLPL). However, to date, there has been no definitive analysis to investigate the association between genomic inbreeding levels and pregnancy loss in horses.

Therefore, the research team, led by Dr Jessica Lawson, Alborada Trust research fellow at the RVC, and Professor de Mestre at the Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University, together with previous PhD student at the RVC, Charlotte Shilton, analysed DNA samples from 189 individuals, including a control group. The study found that thoroughbred pregnancies lost in mid and late gestation (MLPL) had significantly higher inbreeding metrics than UK thoroughbred adults. However, pregnancies lost early in gestation (EPLs) showed no significant difference in inbreeding metrics compared to the adults.

Dr Jessica Lawson said, “This research provides critical evidence showing that mating highly related individuals does have a tangible effect on our breeding operations, as there is a real risk of a mare losing her pregnancy late in gestation and failing to produce a foal at all that season.

“The take home from our work should be to carefully consider breeding choices that involve mating of highly related individuals as, ultimately, this may increase the chance of the foal inheriting mutations which may not be compatible with life. We are already working on the next step, looking to identify these changes so more specific advice can be provided in the future”.

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RVC Study Links Low Collagen to Increased Fracture Risk

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has published new research that shows that Thoroughbreds with lower levels of collagen type III have a higher risk of fracture.

The study will help to provide a greater understanding of how best to diagnose and manage horses at high risk of fractures, which is a leading cause of euthanasia within the breed. Currently in the UK, approximately 60 horses each year are put down on racecourses after sustaining such an injury.

The research team leader Dr Debbie Guest, Senior Research Fellow at the RVC, said, “Bone fractures are a major welfare concern in Thoroughbred racing. We know that there are many environmental risk factors for fracture and much has been done over the years to reduce these risks. Despite this effort, fractures sadly still occur, and we know that some horses are genetically more predisposed to fracture than others.”

She continued, “The development of a polygenic risk score for fracture will allow us to identify horses that are at high genetic risk to allow the targeted use of diagnostic imaging and close monitoring of their bone health. This study has also demonstrated the power of using cell models to work out what differences exist in bone cells from high and low-risk horses and therefore why some horses are at high risk. This is vital to develop new interventions for high-risk horses in the future so that they are less likely to suffer from a catastrophic fracture.”

The research, which was funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, the Anne Duchess of Westminster Charitable Trust and The Alborada Trust, found that collagen type III, a gene which is required for normal bone formation, is expressed at lower levels in bone cells from horses with a high genetic risk of fracture. This is because they have a change in their DNA sequence in the region which controls how much collagen III is produced.

Additional research is now being undertaken and further studies using this system and cell model will help to identify other genes and processes to better understand why some horses are more susceptible to fracture than others.

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Comprehensive Study on Umbilical Torsion in Thoroughbreds Expanded

Edited Press Release
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have been awarded funding to build on their studies into umbilical cord torsion (UCT) in Thoroughbreds. This research, funded by the Alborada Trust, continues the first-ever comprehensive study of UCT in the world and will explore causation, as well as develop novel diagnostic tools to enable veterinary surgeons to detect and monitor the condition.

Sadly, one in 25 Thoroughbred pregnancies in the UK result in pregnancy loss during mid- to late gestation, a figure that has shown no significant improvement over the last 30 years and results in the yearly loss of approximately £1.1 million for owners, as well as veterinary costs in the region of £1.2 million. The most common cause of this in the UK–accounting for nearly half of cases sent to a laboratory–is UCT, which is the excessive twisting of the umbilical cord leading to blockage of the blood supply and the subsequent death of the foetus.

Across the globe, with the exception of Australia, the proportion of pregnancy loss attributed to UCT is significantly lower. This is most noticeable compared to North America, with UK occurrences 10 times higher than in the U.S.

Researchers at the RVC are leading a collaboration with colleagues at Cornell University, Rossdales Laboratories and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute to explore the reason why the umbilical cord twists excessively mid-pregnancy. Together, they hope to establish new ways of detecting the twisting prior to the pregnancy being aborted. The team will use epidemiological modeling to refine and update the current diagnostic criteria for UCT, allowing for more reliable comparisons between populations within the UK and overseas. This would facilitate the accurate diagnosis of the condition by veterinarians globally and allow researchers to identify risk factors to optimise the management of pregnant mares.

“This project brings together researchers who are leading their field and I hope that this will allow us to forward our understanding of this condition,” Jessica Roach, Research Fellow at the RVC, said. “Our aim is to develop novel diagnostic tools to identify pregnancies with a torsed umbilical cord, and ultimately prevent or decrease the risk of pregnancy loss.”

Researchers will also characterise subcomponents and key proteins of the umbilical cord in both normal and diseased cords to identify any potential regions of the cord that could be monitored clinically. These areas will then be examined using ultrasonography in mid-gestation to assess the diagnostic potential for mares that are at risk of UCT abortion. The development of novel diagnostic tools will also enable veterinarians to predict mares at risk of suffering a UCT pregnancy loss and monitor the efficacy of novel treatments for the condition. Ultimately, the findings from this project will push forward the understanding of this cause of equine pregnancy loss, and abortion more widely.

More information on the study can be found here.

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International Veterinary Scholarship Program Launched For Equine Research

The University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) – together with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and MARS EQUESTRIAN™ – has launched a new, international scholarship program aimed at advancing the health and welfare of the horse while providing an unparalleled learning experience for one aspiring veterinary investigator.

Through its interdisciplinary, mentorship-based approach, the MARS EQUESTRIAN Veterinary Research Scholar program offers the unique opportunity to conduct research alongside internationally-renowned experts in equine health and veterinary welfare while pursuing two advanced credentials: the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behavior at Penn Vet during year one, followed by the Master of Research (MRes) program at the RVC in year two.

Building upon Penn Vet's MARS EQUESTRIAN Early Career Investigator Program launched in November of 2020, this new format offers the candidate an exclusive opportunity to refine critical research skills and expand animal welfare knowledge while learning on location at both the RVC in London, England and Penn Vet's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, United States.

Penn Vet's Dr. Kyla Ortved, assistant professor of large animal surgery at New Bolton Center, will serve as the primary mentor for the program's embedded research project. A clinical expert in equine orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, Ortved's research program seeks to better understand attributes of the equine joint in order to improve clinical outcomes associated with osteoarthritis following injury in horses.

“There are two fundamental components to a successful career in the veterinary medicine field: exceptional mentorship and the continuous pursuit of applicable knowledge,” said Ortved. “The multidisciplinary approach of the MARS EQUESTRIAN Veterinary Research Scholar program is set to provide both of these cardinal elements through an experiential learning environment that will ultimately culminate in delivering meaningful advancements that will have a very real, positive impact on the lives our equine partners.”

The selected candidate will also learn from leading experts in animal welfare including Penn Vet's Dr. Tom Parsons, professor of swine production medicine, director of Penn Vet's Swine Teaching & Research program and one of the founding members of Penn Vet's Animal Welfare and Behavior Certificate program. This certificate, coupled with the RVC's MRes program, will balance pragmatic understandings of multi-species health, behavior, and well-being with interdisciplinary problem-solving skills that can be directly deployed through the program's research projects.

“I am delighted that the RVC is able to support this new transatlantic initiative for veterinary graduates following a generous donation from MARS EQUESTRIAN,” said Professor Richard Bomphrey, Interim Vice Principal for Research at the Royal Veterinary College. “It strengthens the ties between the RVC, the University of Pennsylvania and MARS EQUESTRIAN while providing an outstanding training and research opportunity. We look forward to welcoming the successful scholar and helping them to make an impact in equine research.”

“MARS EQUESTRIAN is thrilled to support this truly unique and innovative international program unlike anything else offered in veterinary medicine training,” said Bridgett McIntosh, PhD, Director at MARS Equestrian. “Our goal is to continue to drive the field forward in creating a better world for horses by engaging and training the next generation of veterinarians.”

The MARS EQUESTRIAN Veterinary Research Scholar program is open to interested UK, US and international candidates holding a veterinary degree (DVM/VMD/BVSc or equivalent). The chosen candidate will receive an annual stipend and tuition as well as travel expenses. The program will commence in September 2021 in the United States before moving to the UK in October 2022 until its conclusion in September 2023.

The deadline to submit applications for consideration is June 30, 2021 or until an acceptable candidate is identified.

Reade more here.

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