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Borowska M, Lipowicz P, Daunoravičienė K, Turek B, Jasiński T, Pauk J, Domino M. Three-Dimensional Segmentation of Equine Paranasal Sinuses in Multidetector Computed Tomography Datasets: Preliminary Morphometric Assessment Assisted with Clustering Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3538. [PMID: 38894336 PMCID: PMC11175080 DOI: 10.3390/s24113538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The paranasal sinuses, a bilaterally symmetrical system of eight air-filled cavities, represent one of the most complex parts of the equine body. This study aimed to extract morphometric measures from computed tomography (CT) images of the equine head and to implement a clustering analysis for the computer-aided identification of age-related variations. Heads of 18 cadaver horses, aged 2-25 years, were CT-imaged and segmented to extract their volume, surface area, and relative density from the frontal sinus (FS), dorsal conchal sinus (DCS), ventral conchal sinus (VCS), rostral maxillary sinus (RMS), caudal maxillary sinus (CMS), sphenoid sinus (SS), palatine sinus (PS), and middle conchal sinus (MCS). Data were grouped into young, middle-aged, and old horse groups and clustered using the K-means clustering algorithm. Morphometric measurements varied according to the sinus position and age of the horses but not the body side. The volume and surface area of the VCS, RMS, and CMS increased with the age of the horses. With accuracy values of 0.72 for RMS, 0.67 for CMS, and 0.31 for VCS, the possibility of the age-related clustering of CT-based 3D images of equine paranasal sinuses was confirmed for RMS and CMS but disproved for VCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Borowska
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Białystok University of Technology, 15–351 Bialystok, Poland; (P.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Paweł Lipowicz
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Białystok University of Technology, 15–351 Bialystok, Poland; (P.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Kristina Daunoravičienė
- Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 03224 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Bernard Turek
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02–787 Warsaw, Poland; (B.T.); (T.J.)
| | - Tomasz Jasiński
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02–787 Warsaw, Poland; (B.T.); (T.J.)
| | - Jolanta Pauk
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Białystok University of Technology, 15–351 Bialystok, Poland; (P.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Małgorzata Domino
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02–787 Warsaw, Poland; (B.T.); (T.J.)
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Bordin C, Raspa F, Greppi M, Harris P, Ellis AD, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Cavallini D, Bergero D, Valle E. Pony feeding management: the role of morphology and hay feeding methods on intake rate, ingestive behaviors and mouth shaping. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1332207. [PMID: 38681853 PMCID: PMC11046934 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1332207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, haynets and slow feeders have been promoted as sustainable tools to improve the feeding management of horses and reduce forage waste, but little is known about their effects on ponies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different hay feeding methods on the ingestive behaviors, intake rate and mouth shaping of ponies belonging to two breed types, which are characterized by different head morphologies. Shetland type (SH, n = 5) and Welsh/Cob type (WC, n = 4) ponies were fed hay using four feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled haynet (HF), a partially filled haynet (HL), and a slow-feeder hay box (HB). Head morphology was measured for each pony. Video recordings were then made to apply geometric morphometrics and to perform behavioral analysis. The intake rate was measured for each pony and each feeding method. Data obtained with geometric morphometrics were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA). Behavioral data and intake rate measurements were analyzed using a mixed model, a post-hoc Tukey's test, a Pearson's correlation test, and a stepwise regression model. The geometric morphometrics results demonstrated that feeding method influenced mouth shaping (36% for G, 78% for HB, 77% for HF, 83% for HL, considering the total variance of shape) and affected the intake rate. Differences in mouth shaping and ingestive behaviors in SH and WC ponies also confirmed the role of morphology in feeding management. The HL proved to be the most effective tool to increase feeding consumption time when needed (5 h/kg for SH ponies and 3 h/kg for WC ponies, considering the intake time), although the HB may be the optimal choice to reduce the intake rate while maintaining a more natural posture. Future studies are suggested to fully understand how body size and morphology influence feeding in equine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bordin
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Federica Raspa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Martina Greppi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Patricia Harris
- Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, United Kingdom
- Mars Petcare UK, Slough, United Kingdom
| | | | - Angela Roggero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Palestrini
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Damiano Cavallini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - Domenico Bergero
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Emanuela Valle
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
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Alhaddad H, Powell BB, Pinto LD, Sutter N, Brooks SA, Alhajeri BH. Geometric morphometrics of face profile across horse breeds and within Arabian horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 132:104980. [PMID: 38070586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Horse traits under selection are largely quantitative and affected by multiple genes. Horse face shape is an example of a continuous trait, which due to the reliance on observational assessments, is classified into; "dished", "straight", and "roman-nosed". This categorization is often inadequate to convey the full spectrum of the face shape variation especially for genetic studies. The first objective of the current study was to use geometric morphometric methods to quantitatively phenotype face shapes and examine its variation across horse breeds. The second objective was to analyze the face shape variation within Arabian horses since face shape is (1) favored, valued, and genetically selected in certain lineages (e.g. Egyptian), (2) is evaluated by registries and scored in shows, and (3) in its extreme forms pose health concerns. We digitized landmarks on lateral profile photos, particularly on the dorsal curvature of the rostrum, and subjected these landmarks to Generalized Procrustes Analysis to generate independent shape and size variables which were statistically compared across breeds and within Arabians. Horse breeds varied in nasal curvature, ranging from extremely concave to extremely convex, with over 70 % of horse breeds exhibiting intermediate concavity (i.e., straight profile). Interestingly, Arabian horses possessed the highest diversity in face profile and individuals clustered into three distinct shape sub-groups (one dished and two straight profile clusters). Our quantitative phenotyping method can be the basis of future genetic studies of facial profile within Arabian lineages as a favored traits and potentially manage its extreme forms as a likely genetic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Alhaddad
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kuwait University, Shadadiya, Kuwait.
| | - B B Powell
- Department of Animal Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - L Del Pinto
- Biology Department, La Sierra University, Riverside, California, USA
| | - N Sutter
- Biology Department, La Sierra University, Riverside, California, USA
| | - S A Brooks
- Department of Animal Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - B H Alhajeri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kuwait University, Shadadiya, Kuwait
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Maśko M, Sikorska U, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Domino M. The Postural and Body Surface Temperature Response of Leisure Horses to Lunging with Selected Lunging Aids. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:22. [PMID: 38200753 PMCID: PMC10778250 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Incorporating lunging into a horse's daily routine aims to enhance fitness, physical condition, and specific skills or exercises when using lunging aids (LAs). To assess the effectiveness of lunging, non-contact technologies like geometric morphometrics and infrared thermography can be employed. This study seeks to evaluate lunging efficiency based on the horse's posture and surface temperature when lunging with different head and neck positions. The study aims to determine if changes in a horse's posture correspond to increased metabolic activity, as indicated by body surface temperature. Thirteen horses included in the study were lunged with chambon (CH), rubber band (RB), and triangle side reins (TRs) as well as with a freely moving head (FMH). Images were taken in visible light and infrared. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to analyze horse posture changes and a Pixel-Counting Protocol (PCP) was used to quantify surface temperature patterns. The horses' posture exhibited contrasting changes, reflected by a changing centroid shape (p < 0.0001) but not size (p > 0.05) when lunged with RB and TRs, but not CH. Different (p < 0.0001) surface temperature patterns were observed during lunging. FMH lunging resulted in lower temperatures over a larger surface, CH induced moderate temperatures on a smaller area, RB caused moderate to high temperatures across a broader surface, and TRs led to higher temperatures over a smaller region. The studied lunging cases returned different (p < 0.0001) surface temperature patterns. Lunging with FMH returned lower temperatures over a larger surface, CH moderate temperatures on a smaller area, RB moderate to high temperatures across a broader surface, and TRs higher temperatures over a smaller region. The proposed methods can be applied to evaluate the efficiency of lunging in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Maśko
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (M.M.); (U.S.)
| | - Urszula Sikorska
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (M.M.); (U.S.)
| | - Marta Borowska
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Białystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Zdrojkowski
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Jasiński
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Domino
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS–SGGW), 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
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Yakubu A, Okpeku M, Shoyombo AJ, Onasanya GO, Dahloum L, Çelik S, Oladepo A. Exploiting morphobiometric and genomic variability of African indigenous camel populations-A review. Front Genet 2022; 13:1021685. [PMID: 36579332 PMCID: PMC9791103 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1021685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Africa are adapted to arid and the semi-arid environmental conditions, and are valuable for meat, milk and fiber production. On account of the growing demand for camels in this continent, there is a need for knowledge on their phenotypic and genetic diversity. This is fundamental to sustainable herd management and utilization including the design of appropriate breeding and conservation strategies. We reviewed studies on the phenotypic and genetic characterization, breeding objectives, systems of production, productive and reproductive performances, and pathways for the sustainable rearing and use of camels in Africa. The morphological and genetic diversity, productive and reproductive abilities of African camels suggest the existence of genetic variations that can be utilized for breeds/ecotypes' genetic improvement and conservation. Possible areas of intervention include the establishment of open nucleus and community-based breeding schemes and utilization of modern reproductive technologies for the genetic improvement of milk and meat yields, sustainable management of rangelands, capacity building of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, institutional supports, formation of centralized conservation centres and efficient and effective marketing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulmojeed Yakubu
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria,*Correspondence: Abdulmojeed Yakubu, ; Moses Okpeku,
| | - Moses Okpeku
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa,*Correspondence: Abdulmojeed Yakubu, ; Moses Okpeku,
| | | | - Gbolabo O. Onasanya
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University Dutse, Dutse, Nigeria,Deparment of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
| | - Lahouari Dahloum
- Départment of Agronomy, Faculty of Natural Science and Life, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis, University, Mostaganem, Algeria
| | - Senol Çelik
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bingöl University, Bingöl, Turkey
| | - Abolade Oladepo
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Salamanca-Carreño A, Parés-Casanova PM, Monroy-Ochoa NI, Vélez-Terranova M. Would the Cephalic Development in the Purebred Arabian Horse and Its Crosses Indicate a Paedomorphic Process? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12223168. [PMID: 36428393 PMCID: PMC9686750 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined paedomorphosis in PAH and F1 crossbreds. A sample of 99 horses was selected from 40 different breeders and consisted of three groups: stallions (n = 16), mares (n = 53), and geldings (n = 30), ranging from 10 months to 27 years in age. All horses presented a concave celloid lateral left head profile in the acquired photographic images. The hypothesis proposed in this study suggested the lateral profile of the head in juveniles was representational in the adult form due to the neonate's facial bones (part of the splanchnocranium) developing at a different rate to those of the skull. The methodology utilized geometric morphometrics to identify 23 landmarks so as to identify profile curvature indicative between the three groups (stallions, mares, and geldings). Principal component analysis reduced the number of variables to 14 examinable landmarks. Using a two-NPMANOVA and multivariate regression test, it was demonstrated that an isometric relationship between the concave celloid profile in the juvenile and its adult counterpart existed. This result supported the hypothesis that PAH and F1 crossbreds expressed a paedomorphic trait due to the adult form retaining the concave celloid profile identified in the juvenile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arcesio Salamanca-Carreño
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio 500001, Colombia
| | | | - Néstor Ismael Monroy-Ochoa
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio 500001, Colombia
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No Morphological Integration of Dorsal Profiles in the Araucanian Horse (Colombia). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131731. [PMID: 35804630 PMCID: PMC9264922 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Morphological modules are structures that have components which covary strongly, but that in turn are relatively independent of other modules, while morphological integration is understood to mean the coordinated morphological variation of the components of a functional whole. Important traits to describe equine breeds are the profiles of different body regions (alloidism). In this research, it was determined if the division between the cervical, dorsal, and rump profiles has a modular basis as well as a morphological integration. A total of 135 digital photographs were booked, in a lateral view (14 females and 121 geldings; age range: 2–20 years), of adult horses, an equine population typical of the floodplain of Arauca, NE Colombia. From each image, 25 reference points (semi-markers) were obtained at the dorsal level of the neck, back, and croup. The modularity hypothesis of different body profiles based on differentiated regions was tested using the RV coefficient, and a two-block partial least-squares analysis was used to assess the level of morphological integration. The results showed that each alloidic group reflected high integration but low modularity. The absence of the fragmentation of the alloidic assemblages would promote the adaptive capacity of the breed by linking coordinated functional responses to similar selection pressures, for example, field work. Abstract The aim of this research was to determine if the division between the cervical, dorsal, and croup profiles (three regions commonly assessed for descriptive profile purposes) has a modular basis as well as a morphological integration. For this, a total of 135 digital photographs were obtained, in a lateral view, of adult horses (14 females and 121 geldings; age range: 2–20 years), of the Araucanian breed, an equine population typical of the flooded savannah of Arauca, NE Colombia. From each image, 25 reference points (semi-landmarks) were obtained at the dorsal level of the neck, back, and croup. The hypothesis of the modularity of different body profiles based on differentiated regions was tested using the RV coefficient, and an analysis of two blocks of partial least-squares allowed the evaluation of the level of morphological integration. The results showed that each alloidic group reflected high integration but low modularity. The covariation between the modules was centered mainly on the withers, the loin, and the croup. For the studied profile blocks, no module can be considered. The absence of the fragmentation of the alloidic sets would promote the adaptive capacity of the breed by linking coordinated functional responses to similar selection pressures, e.g., field work. Although the integration between the neck, back, and croup profiles was proven, their modular covariation was low.
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