Equine Health

1. Identification of new diseases
Infectious diseases of equines namely, Equine Infectious Anaemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Viral Arteritis, Equine Coital Exanthema and Equine Rota Viral Diarrhoea in foals, which caused huge losses in terms of higher morbidity/mortality, hampering equine economy, were identified and reported for the first time in India. Remedial measures including package of practices were formulated and implemented which resulted in decline of the prevalence rate of many of these diseases (Success story of the Centre). A repository of bacterial and viral isolates obtained from various disease conditions in equines is being created.

3. Biotechnological diagnostic tools

• DNA fingerprinting of equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) isolates.
• Sequencing of antigenically important genes of equine influenza virus.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of EHV-1 and equine influenza viruses.
• Molecular variability in Indian isolates of EHV-1

4. Drug evaluation

For effective and efficient treatment of diseases and clinical conditions in equines, the following drugs were evaluated.

• Ivermectin for psoroptic mange and microfilaraemia in equines.
• Thiophanate as an anthelmintic against gastrointestinal nematodes.
• Xylazine hydrochloride in analgesic aided treatment of intestinal colic in equines.

Equine Production

For the augmentation of the dwindling population of equines in the country, the following accomplishments have been achieved.

1. Establishment of nucleus herd of equine germplasm

A nucleus herd of elite European donkey germplasm was imported from France and is being maintained, bred and used for the production of quality mules. Similarly, a beginning has been made to establish nucleus herd of Marwari horses.

Kathiawari Marwari

2. Artificial insemination

In order to maximize the production potential of the equines and to help the landless, small and marginal farmers, artificial insemination was perfected and employed in the field. The mules produced using exotic donkeys and indigenous mares have much greater economic value as compared to those produced by using smaller size local donkey stallions. Mule foal at foot produced by AI (Success story of the Centre)

Mule foal at foot produced at NRCE by AI using frozen semen

3. Early pregnancy diagnosis

For taking up an effective and efficient breeding programme for production of horses, mules and donkeys, early pregnancy diagnosis between 14-18 days post conception has been achieved employing ultrasonographic technique.

An eCG-ELISA based kit for pregnancy diagnosis among horses through testing of serum has been developed.

4. Genetic improvement support

Quality jacks and jennies have been provided to State Animal Husbandry Departments, cooperative mule breeding societies and equine farmers for the production of superior quality mules. One of the societies has intimated that after using the jacks supplied by NRCE, Hisar, the income of their members from each jenny has gone up from Rs. 3000-5000 to Rs. 10,000-12,000 per year. (Success story of the Centre)

5. Generation of basic information for equids

• Baseline data has been generated on some of the important haematological, physiological and biochemical indices of Kathiawari horses as well as local donkey to help in differential diagnosis of diseases of these animals.

• Metabolic profiles in horses to monitor their nutritional status.

• Studies on stress bearing capacity of donkeys and mules indicated that the stress bearing capacity in donkeys was found to be higher than in mules.

6. Folliculogenesis studies for improving breeding programmes

• Average length of oestrus cycle in donkey and horse mares was established to be 24.70 and 25.12 days, respectively, during breeding season. The study would help in better management of the breeding programmes in equines.

• Progesterone level in donkey and horse mares were lowest (0.5-1.5 ng/ml) during estrous before ovulation. This study would help the equine practitioner in planning the mating/AI to enhance the conception rate in these animals.

7. Draughtability studies

Studies on physical, physiological, biochemical & acid base status of the donkeys during rest and work revealed that combination of work-rest cycle i.e. 2 hr work followed by 1 hr rest would enhance the load carrying capacity of the animal to 50% of their body weight, without experiencing fatigue.

8. Assheep-carpet wool Fabric technology

A carpet wool Fabric named Assheep has been fabricated in collaboration with CSWRI, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, by mixing sheep wool and brown donkey hair. However, it needs commercial exploitation for boosting cottage industry in the country.

2. Immunobiologicals developed and technology transferred
In an effort to develop and improve upon the existing vaccine(s) against emerging and existing diseases of equine, work on the following two priority vaccines was completed.

• Effective and cheap vaccine against equine influenza was developed. This low cost vaccine developed from indigenous isolate (A/Equi-2/Ludhiana/87) was standardized and validated after testing in equines of different species, breed, age and sex in different parts of the country. It is a safe, potent and effective vaccine for developing immune response in equines. The team that developed the vaccine was awarded by the president ICAR for the commendable achievement made by them and bringing laurels to the ICAR system and the country. (Success story of the Centre)
  

• An improved concentrated vaccine against Salmonella Abortusequi was developed and technology was transferred to Haryana Veterinary Vaccine Institute, Hisar.

The following immunodiagnostics have been developed for sensitive and rapid diagnosis of equine diseases.

• Immunostick, Strip and Plate ELISAs, single radial haemolysis and single radial immunodiffusion tests for equine influenza diagnosis.
• A sensitive and specific recombinant protein based ELISA for detection of equine piroplasmosis (B. equi infection)
• Monoclonal antibodies against equine herpes viruse-1, equine influenza viruses and equine rota virus.
• Competitive ELISA and Biotin Avidin ELISA for the diagnosis of equine infectious anaemia.
• Immunostick and Plate ELISAs for the diagnosis of EHV-I.
• Sandwich ELISA for detection of equine rota virus from diarrhoeic foals.
• Virus neutralization test for equine arteritis virus, equine herpes virus and equine influenza virus.
• Immunohistochemical diagnosis of EHV-1 employing immunoperoxidase and fluorescent antibody techniques.
• An in vitro system for detection of immunopathological disorders through demonstration of antinuclear antibodies employing immunofluorescent technique using RK-13 cell monolayers.
• Equine Herp kit for sero-monitoring EHV-1 vaccine take. Equine Herp kit (Success story of the Centre)

• Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (Mabs)-based blocking ELISA (Equiherpes B-ELISA) Kit for serodiagnosis of
  EHV-1 infection

• OIE recognized complement fixation test for detection of equine piroplasmosis in carrier animals (Cofeb kit). (Success story of the Centre)