The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in synovial fluid concentration of collagen type II cleavage site (C2C) and pro collagen II C-propeptide (CPII), markers of joint cartilage degeneration and synthesis, respectively, in horses with intraarticular fracture or osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), and to examine the relationship between arthroscopic findings and these biomarker levels. Synovial fluid was collected from 36 joints in 18 horses (6 fractures and 12 OCDs). Samples from contralateral normal joints, when available, served as controls (n=12). Concentrations of C2C and CPII were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays. Moreover, the severity of the cartilage degradation was graded arthroscopically in 16 horses, and the correlation between the C2C and CPII levels and the arthroscopic scores were investigated. Compared to the control, the concentration of C2C was increased in OCD joints but not in fracture joints, whereas the concentration of CPII was increased in fracture joints but not in OCD joints. Within each disease group there was no correlation between biomarker levels and arthroscopic findings. Therefore, although C2C and CPII have diagnostic potential further knowledge is required to provide accurate analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate a system that identifies cartilage turn over and/or degradation through measurement of a new keratan sulfate (KS) epitope concentration in equine sera. Blood samples were collected from 30 horses, 1 (n=15) and 2 year-olds (n=15). Serum samples were analyzed for an epitope of keratan sulfate by 1/20/5D4 (KS5D4) and new epitopes of keratan sulfate using high sensitive keratan sulfate (HSKS), measured by two respective enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs). There was no correlation in serum concentration of KS evaluated using 5D4 and HSKS. Age had no significant effect on concentrations of KS measured with KS5D4 while 1 year-old horses showed significantly higher amounts than 2 year-olds with HSKS. Results suggest that HSKS could detect early signs of cartilage metabolic changes.

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used to repair articular cartilage defects, these cells should be properly stimulated so that they could differentiate morphologically and hold cellular synthetic features closer to maturely differentiated chondrocytes. It is well known that tissue specific environment plays an important role in cell fate determination. Once improved isolation, proliferation and differentiation protocols have been developed, the likelihood of spontaneous differentiation of MSCs into divergent lineages will be reduced, thus increasing their value for cartilage repair. The purpose of this study was to improve chondrogenic differentiation of equine MSCs using coculture with mature equine articular chondrocytes (ACs), along with the determination of the effect of adding transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 in the pellet culture system. Following confirmation of multilineage (adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic) differentiation, isolated MSCs, ACs and coculture of both cell types were transferred into pellet culture system in a DMEM-based medium supplemented with or without TGFbetal. Chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated histologically and the relative mRNA expressions of collagen type 1 alpha1 (COL1A1), collagen type 2 alpha1 (COL2A1), aggrecan (ACAN) and SRY-box 9 (SOX9) were estimated by quantitative RT-PCR. Cocultured cells showed diffuse distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM), whereas in chondrocyte pellets it was more localized to central regions. Expression of COL2A1, ACAN and SOX9 genes were higher in cocultured pellets when compared to MSCs and ACs-composed pellets. Addition of TGFbeta1 in chondrogenic differentiating medium did not consistently amplify expression of the above mentioned genes. Differentiation of equine MSCs was enhanced by coculturing in association with mature ACs, improving expression of cartilage-specific genes and producing a more homogeneous production of ECM within the newly formed cocultured cartilage. The use of the coculture system could possibly enhance the capacity of MSC-derived chondrocytes to build up stable articular cartilage-like constructs, which could play an important role in articular cartilage repair and regeneration.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was analyzed fauna of parasites of gastro-intestinal tract and natural resistance of horses in the conditions of Polesye State Radiation Ecological Reserve. There were worked the most efficient antihelminthic compounds. Analysis of helminthological state showed that extensiveness helminthic and gastrophilosis invasion of horses was at a high level. In this regard the nematodosis and gastrophilosis (Gastrophilus intestinalis) invasions prevailed. In mature and growing horses there was marked the dominance of nematode worms of Strongylidae / Trichonematidae families (78,9-83,8%) and Gasterophilidae (95,8%). Next, at growing horses there were stated nematodes Strongyloides westeri and cestoid worms of Anoplocephalidae family, at mature horses – of Gasterophilidae, Parascaris equorum and Oxyuris equi families. The following antihelminthic compounds ans preparations showed the best efficiency: Univerm; Avermektin paste 1%; Fenbendazoli, Rivertin 1%.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was studied the formation of nonspecific protection factors of the first year foals. By a principle of conditional analogues there was generated a group of clinically healthy foals at which monthly from bulbar veins there were taken tests of blood for hematological and biochemical analysis. From the obtained data it was visible, that within the first year of foal life there were taking place the processes of formation of nonspecific protection factors of an organism which were accompanied by a gradual increasing of quantity of erythrocytes, haemoglobin, leukocytes, certain change in the diagramme, and also increasing of bactericidal and lysozyme activity of blood serum. However, at seven-month age there was marked a considerable decrease in number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, concentration of haemoglobin, bactericidal and lysozyme activity of blood serum is marked, in leukogram share reduction of segmented neutrophils, and at the same time, the content of eosinocytes and lymphocytes increased. It testified the decreasing of protective forces of an organism during this period. Consequently, the seventh month in the postnatal period of foal life proved to be the most critical.

The Republican Agricultural Breeding Unitary Enterprise Zarechje of the Republic of Belarus is the basic horse-breeding enterprise of Belarusian coach horse breeding. In the enterprise there are 27 mares and 2 studhorses; all animals are purebred. It is established, that unaltered male horses and mares belong to Belarus coaching breed, all pedigree animals have a high class: 15 horses belong to an elite class that makes 75% from all herd, 4 heads concern the first class (20%), and 1 head – to the second class (5%). Measurements surpass the standard that can prove the appropriate selection and breeding work in the enterprise. After studying the measurements of studhorses of the enterprise in comparison with the standard it was established, that the height at crest of stallions on the average exceeds the breed standard on 30%, slanting length of a trunk - on 5,0%, a breast grasp - on 4,0% and a metacarpus grasp - on 6%. For improvement of herd of horses it is necessary to organize correctly a coupling campaign with drawing up of the coupling plan and selection of a uterus to stallions; to use in copulation only the best elite stallion.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was presented a characteristic of breeding stock of mares of Trakensky breed in accordance with body conformation and exterior. In course of the study there were taken measurements of height at the shoulder, heart-girth, metacarpus circumference at 1 year old and two year old age stages. There was calculated an index of massiveness which characterize the development of chest, index of bone which provided insight into skeleton development. Research results showed that in accordance with an exterior the breeding stock mares had a deep and massive barrel, good skeleton and developed muscle. The index of massivness was 118,4-120,5, bone index – 20,8-21,6, that corresponded to a type of riding horses. In accordance with the exterior, measurements and quality of posterity the mares of the bred lines obtained high grades and 93,5% were graded as elite class.