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Background: Integrating aerobic exercise (AE) into rehabilitation programs for post-stroke individuals could enhance motor recovery and cardiovascular health by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the myokine irisin. Chronic stroke survivors typically exhibit elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, which is negatively correlated with steps and time in medium cadence, although the impact of AE on this biomarker remains unclear., Objective: To evaluate the effect of high-intensity AE training prior to modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on BDNF and irisin concentration, and on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in chronic post-stroke individuals and to associate these results with functional improvements., Methods: Nine participants received AE combined with mCIMT for two weeks, while the control group ( n  = 7) received mCIMT alone. Manual dexterity and functional capacity were assessed before and after the intervention. Serum samples were analyzed for BDNF, irisin, MMP-2 and MMP-9., Results: There were no significant main effects of assessment, group or interaction on molecular biomarkers. However, the AE group had a significant increase in MMP-9 activity post-intervention ( p  = .033; d  = 0.67). For the Box and Block Test, there were significant main effects of assessment ( F [1, 14] = 33.27, p  = .000, η p 2  = 0.70) and group ( F [1, 14] = 5.43, p  = .035, η p 2  = .28). No correlations were found between biomarkers and clinical assessments., Conclusion: AE prior to mCIMT did not influence circulating BDNF and irisin levels but did induce an acute rise in MMP-9 activity, suggesting potential effects on cardiovascular remodeling in this population.

Two experiments were conducted in the Northern (UK) and Southern (Brazil) hemispheres to determine the effect of season (month of conception) on the development of supplementary CL (SCL) and the relationship with pregnancy loss. In experiment 1, 199 pregnancies were followed between Day 14 and term, to determine the number of SCL and pregnancy viability (Northern Hemisphere). From the 199 pregnancies, 178 were obtained from inseminations during the breeding season (March-September), while the rest, 21 pregnancies resulted from conceptions in the non-breeding season (October to February). Pregnancies conceived in the breeding season were more likely (P < 0.01) to have at least 1 SCL (75.8 %, 135/178) than pregnancies from the non-breeding season (33 %, 7/21). However, the pregnancy loss between Days 35 and 120 of pregnancy in mares with no SCL was similar (3.5 %, 2/57; P >0.1) than from mares with SCL (1.4 %, 2/142). In Experiment 2 (Southern Hemisphere), three groups of recipients were used based on their ovarian activity at the time of embryo transfer: Anestrus (n = 8), transitional (n = 7) and cyclic (n = 7) recipient mares. While all transitional and cyclic mares developed at least 1 SCL, only 50 % of anestrous recipients (4/8) developed SCL by 120 of gestation. In conclusion, the development of SCL in pregnant mares is influenced by the time of season of conception, therefore it appears to be regulated by the photoperiod and the endogenous seasonal variation in gonadotropin concentrations. Mares with no SCL were not at increased risk of pregnancy loss., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although the use of different estradiol esters has been extensively studied in hormonal protocols in cows, such information is lacking in mares. The present study aimed to assess the effects of treatment with the same doses and administration frequency of estradiol cypionate, estradiol benzoate and 17β estradiol on plasma estradiol (E2) concentrations of acyclic mares and correlate the E2 profile to the endometrial edema score. Sixteen treatments were performed in 14 mares randomly divided into three groups: EB (n = 5), EC (n = 5), and 17β (n = 6), receiving 10 mg on day 0 (D0), 6 mg on D1, and 4 mg on D2 of estradiol benzoate, estradiol cypionate, and estradiol 17β, respectively. Blood samples, rectal palpations, and ultrasound evaluations were performed once daily, starting before the first estradiol treatment (D0) until edema disappearance or D8. Moderate to high edema was observed in all groups 24 hours after the first estradiol administration. Edema persisted above score 2 until D7, D5, and D4 in groups EC, EB, and 17β, respectively. Higher edema was found on D2 in EB group compared to 17β, on D6 and D7 in EC compared to 17β, and on D8 in EC compared to EB (p ≤ .05). Maximum E2 concentrations were detected on D1 in groups: EB, showing a sharp decrease from D2 to D3 (p < .0001); and 17β, where no differences were observed between treatment days (p ≥ .05). In the EC group, maximum concentrations were observed on D2, which remained high from D2 to D4 compared to the other days (p < .0001). Plasma concentration of E2 was higher in EB than the other groups on D0 and D1, and EB>EC>17β on D2. Plasma E2 concentrations and edema score were positively correlated, being moderate in groups EB and EC and weak in the 17β group. In conclusion, the most pronounced plasma E2 concentration was observed in EB group 24 hours after the administration of the first dose. Estradiol concentrations peaked 48 hours after EC administration, while a distinct peak was not observed in a 24h interval evaluation in the 17β group. Moreover, high edema does not necessarily reflect on high E2 concentrations in acyclic mares., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Oestrogens treatment is often used to induce oestrus behaviour in anoestrous mares to aid in the collection of stallion semen and as recipient mares to receive embryos when combined with progesterone. However, there are no studies to describe the effect of dose and individual mare on the intensity and duration of the response, in both anoestrous and cyclic mares. In Experiment 1, 13 anoestrous mares were treated with one of five doses of oestradiol benzoate (OB) (1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 mg) per mare in five consecutive treatment periods ( n = 65), to determine the response in terms of endometrial oedema and oestrous behaviour. Experiment 2 and 3 used 3 mg of OB in cyclic mares to confirm or deny the presence of an active corpus luteum (CL). There was a dose rate of OB and individual mare effect ( p < 0.05) on the intensity and persistence of endometrial oedema and oestrous behaviour. A total of 2 mg OB was enough to induce endometrial oedema and oestrous behaviour within 48 h in most mares. Mares with an active CL did not show endometrial oedema following treatment of 3 mg OB.

The effect of three different hormonal protocols to prepare anestrous recipient mares on embryo survival was evaluated. The first group consisted of only progesterone administration (NE) 4 days before embryo transfer, while the recipients from the other two groups received a single administration of 2.5 mg of oestradiol benzoate (SE) 2 days earlier or 8 mg of oestradiol split in increasing doses for 5 consecutive days (LE) ending 3 days before progesterone treatment. The likelihood of recovering an embryo 2 days after transfer was 46.1% (6/13), 62.5% (5/8) and 85.7% (6/7) for recipient mares from the no oestrus, short and long oestrous groups respectively (p = .09). In conclusion, the presence and duration of oestradiol treatment before progesterone administration tended to influence the embryo survival in anestrous recipients 2 days after transfer. The surviving embryos recovered from the three different groups of recipients did not show any difference in size and morphology., (© 2022 The Authors. Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Several studies have demonstrated variations in peripartum blood biochemical analytes used to monitor the health status of mares and their foals of different breeds., Objectives: We aimed to characterize the physiologic changes of peripartum energy and mineral metabolism in healthy Quarter Horse mares and their neonatal foals., Methods: Blood samples were initially collected from 17 mares on days 60 and 30 prepartum, and from mares and their foals on the day of parturition (after colostrum ingestion), and on days 15, 30, and 60 postpartum. The serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total cholesterol (T-Cho), triglyceride, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured using commercial kits. Statistical differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (parametric variables) or the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test (nonparametric variables)., Results: Fourteen of 17 healthy Quarter Horse mares and their neonatal foals remained in the study until termination. Serum BHBA, T-Cho, and calcium concentrations in mares showed significant differences during the observation period. Serum BHBA concentrations increased from 60 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum. Postpartum serum T-Cho and calcium concentrations significantly decreased until day-30 postpartum. In the foals, NEFA, T-Cho, calcium, and magnesium concentrations significantly differed between sampling times. In the foals, serum NEFA concentrations decreased from parturition until day-60 postpartum, while serum T-Cho, calcium, and magnesium concentrations were lowest at day-30 postpartum., Conclusions: The temporal changes observed in the blood biochemical analytes of this study could be used to improve the clinical evaluation of periparturient mare and neonatal foal Quarter Horses., (© 2021 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.)

Uterocalin (P19) is a lipocalin protein that has binding activity for the provisioning of the embryo with lipids, including those essential for morphogenesis and pattern formation. Therefore, it is thought that P19 plays an important role in supporting the survival of the early embryo. Previous research has shown that the endometrium from acyclic mares expressed more P19 following a simulated long estrus: treatment of 8 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) split over five consecutive days, followed by long-acting progesterone administration (LA-P4) 72 hours later, when compared to a single 2.5 mg EB treatment. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if a new long estrus protocol, with fewer EB administrations, also increases endometrial uterocalin expression. Fifteen mares were assigned to three groups: long estrus 5 administrations (LE5; a total of 8 mg of EB in increasing doses was given over five consecutive days, Day -7 to Day -3); long estrus 2 administrations (LE2; 3 and 5 mg EB were given on Day -7 and Day -4); and short estrus (SE; a single dose of 2.5 mg EB was administered on Day -2). All groups received LA P4 on day 0 (D0). Daily ultrasonography and blood collections were performed to assess uterine edema and estradiol and progesterone plasma concentrations, respectively. Endometrial biopsies were collected on Day 4 to evaluate P19 expression by RT-qPCR. There were no differences in P19 expression between groups LE2 and LE5. However, P19 expression was higher (P < .05) in the LE groups than in the SE group. Both LE protocols produced high uterine edema (score 2-3) for at least 6 days. There was no effect of group (LE2 or LE5) on overall estradiol and progesterone concentrations (P > .1). In conclusion, the two EB administrations protocol is more feasible for preparing acyclic recipient mares at field conditions. However, a positive effect of the LE protocols on embryo survival and viability in anestrous treated mares still needs to be confirmed., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background . Priming results in a type of implicit memory that prepares the brain for a more plastic response, thereby changing behavior. New evidence in neurorehabilitation points to the use of priming interventions to optimize functional gains of the upper extremity in poststroke individuals. Objective . To determine the effects of priming on task-oriented training on upper extremity outcomes (body function and activity) in chronic stroke. Methods . The PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and PEDro databases were searched in October 2019. Outcome data were pooled into categories of measures considering the International Classification Functional (ICF) classifications of body function and activity. Means and standard deviations for each group were used to determine group effect sizes by calculating mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals via a fixed effects model. Heterogeneity among the included studies for each factor evaluated was measured using the I 2 statistic. Results . Thirty-six studies with 814 patients undergoing various types of task-oriented training were included in the analysis. Of these studies, 17 were associated with stimulation priming, 12 with sensory priming, 4 with movement priming, and 3 with action observation priming. Stimulation priming showed moderate-quality evidence of body function. Only the Wolf Motor Function Test (time) in the activity domain showed low-quality evidence. However, gains in motor function and in use of extremity members were measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA). Regarding sensory priming, we found moderate-quality evidence and effect size for UE-FMA, corresponding to the body function domain (MD 4.77, 95% CI 3.25-6.29, Z = 6.15, P < .0001), and for the Action Research Arm Test, corresponding to the activity domain (MD 7.47, 95% CI 4.52-10.42, Z = 4.96, P < .0001). Despite the low-quality evidence, we found an effect size (MD 8.64, 95% CI 10.85-16.43, Z = 2.17, P = .003) in movement priming. Evidence for action observation priming was inconclusive. Conclusion . Combining priming and task-oriented training for the upper extremities of chronic stroke patients can be a promising intervention strategy. Studies that identify which priming techniques combined with task-oriented training for upper extremity function in chronic stroke yield effective outcomes in each ICF domain are needed and may be beneficial for the recovery of upper extremities poststroke.

Aiming to investigate the effects of different hormonal protocols on the endometrium morphometry of anestrous mares, 26 animals were assigned to four different treatment groups: (1) EB2.5LAP4: single dose of 2.5 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB); (2) EB5LAP4: 5 mg of EB in 2 consecutive days; (3) EB10LAP4: 10 mg of EB in three consecutive days, considering that all EB-treated groups received a single dose of 1,500 mg of long-acting progesterone (LA P4) after the single/last EB dose; and (4) LAP4: only 1,500 mg of LA P4. Results were also compared with those found in cyclic mares (control group). Endometrial biopsies were collected before and after the hormonal treatments in anestrous mares, and during estrus and at 5 days after ovulation in cyclic mares (D5). Samples were prepared for histological and histomorphometric analysis. Tissue sections were examined to determine luminal epithelium height (LEH), glandular epithelium height (GEH), endometrial thickness (ET), and glandular density (GD). Similar morphometric changes were observed after EB and P4 were administered to groups EB5LAP4 and EB10LAP4. Five days after LA P4 administration (D5), all the assessed variables were similar between all EB-treated groups. In addition, all variables of the EB-treated groups were similar to the control group on D5. Although most of the LAP4 group variables on D5 were similar to the EB-treated groups (except GD), reduced GD and GEH were found when compared with the control group, demonstrating the importance of estradiol priming before P4 on glandular activity and density., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aims to evaluate the influence of the degree of difficulty of the activities in Motor Activity Log (MAL) scores for patients with mild, moderate, and severe hemiparesis, and to estimate the correlation between motor impairment levels of hemiparesis and MAL scores in post-stroke patients. Sixty-six patients with chronic hemiparesis (49 with mild-moderate hemiparesis, and 17 with severe hemiparesis) were evaluated by the Fugl-Meyer upper-limb section and versions of MAL for different degrees of motor impairment. The Rasch model was used to analyze the level of difficulty of the activities of the different versions of MAL. The Spearman's correlation tested the relationship between the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper-limb section and MAL. The MAL version, developed to evaluate patients with severe hemiparesis, does not contain the easier activities as employed by the Rasch analysis. There was positive correlation between the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper-limb section scores and Amount of Use of the three versions of the MAL ( r  = 0.76, 0.78, and 0.77). The difficulty of the activities seems to influence the quantity and quality of use of the affected upper limb in individuals with chronic hemiparesis. A new version of MAL is proposed for individuals with severe motor impairment.

Background: Recovery of upper limb function in individuals after a stroke remains challenging. Modified constraint-induced movement therapy (m-CIMT) has strong evidence for increasing the use and recovery of sensorimotor function of the paretic upper limb. Recent studies have shown that priming with aerobic exercise prior to task-specific training potentiates upper limb recovery in individuals with stroke. This protocol describes a randomized clinical trial designed to determine whether priming with moderate-high intensity aerobic exercise prior to m-CIMT will improve the manual dexterity of the paretic upper limb in individuals with chronic hemiparesis., Methods: Sixty-two individuals with chronic hemiparesis will be randomized into two groups: Aerobic exercise + m-CIMT or Stretching + m-CIMT. m-CIMT includes 1) restraint of the nonparetic upper limb for 90% of waking hours, 2) intensive task-oriented training of the paretic upper limb for 3 h/day for 10 days and 3) behavior interventions for improving treatment adherence. Aerobic exercise will be conducted on a stationary bicycle at intervals of moderate to high intensity. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, 3, 30, and 90 days postintervention by the following instruments: Motor Activity Log, Nottingham Sensory Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, Box and Block Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale and three-dimensional kinematics. The data will be tested for normality and homogeneity. Parametric data will be analyzed by two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni's adjustment. For nonparametric data, the Friedman test followed by the Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni's adjustment will be used to compare the ratings for each group. To compare the groups in each assessment, the Mann-Whitney test will be used., Discussion: This study will provide valuable information about the effect of motor priming for fine upper limb skill improvement in people with chronic poststroke hemiparesis, bringing new evidence about the association of two therapies commonly used in clinical practice., Trial Registration: This trial was retrospectively registered (registration number RBR-83pwm3 ) on 07 May 2018.

Field data indicate that a longer period of estrus prior to ovulation correlates positively with fertility. To test the hypothesis that the duration of exposure to estrogens prior to progesterone dominance influences endometrial function, we used anestrous mares to simulate varying durations of estrus (3 groups of 5 mares): long (LE), short (SE), and no estrus (NE), as determined by the duration of estradiol priming prior to progesterone treatment: 7, 2 and 0 days for the LE, SE and NE, respectively. Endometrial biopsies were recovered 4 days after progesterone administration in all groups for real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemical analyses. A total of 17 genes believed to contribute to a "receptive endometrium" for embryo development and viability were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Of the genes evaluated, the expression of FGF-2 (fibroblast growth factor-2) decreased with increased length of preceding estrus, whereas P19 (uterocalin) expression was higher in the LE than in the SE or NE groups. In conclusion, a lower abundance of FGF-2 and higher abundance of uterocalin, a lipocalin protein known to play an important role in providing lipids to the embryo, could contribute to a more receptive endometrium in mares following a long estrus., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Administration of progesterone (P4) after estradiol is usually performed to prepare non-cyclic mares as embryo recipients. However, there are successful pregnancy reports after embryo transfer in non-cyclic mares treated only with progestins. The objective of this study was to evaluate endometrial gene expression and immunostaining for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), beta (ERβ) and progesterone receptor (PR) in seasonal anestrous mares treated with long acting P4 (LA P4). Endometrial tissue from eight seasonal anestrous mares was collected immediately before administration of 1.5 g of LA P4 and five days after. The receptors protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the percentage of the immunostained area was determined by ImageJ software. Transcripts abundance for ERα, ERβ and PR were determined by RT-qPCR. Blood samples were collected daily to measure plasma P4 concentrations. Protein expression for ERα was greater (p < 0.05) after LA P4 administration, although gene expression was not affected by treatment (p > 0.05). There was no difference for ERβ protein expression (p = 0.07) and ERβ gene expression was reduced (p < 0.05) after treatment. Gene and protein expression for PR was not altered (p > 0.05). In conclusion, endometrial PR and ERα expression patterns after LA P4 administration were similar to those previously found in protocols using estradiol prior to LA P4 to prepare non-cyclic mares as embryo recipients., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To test the hypothesis that the administration of 2.5 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) followed by 1500 mg of long acting progesterone (LA P4) causes similar uterine changes and molecular dynamics in anovulatory mares to those observed in cyclic ones, we evaluated the changes of estrogen (ERα and ERβ) and progesterone receptors (PR) in anestrous, transitional and cyclic mares by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we evaluated uterine edema, tonus and estrogens and progesterone plasma profile. Endometrial biopsies were taken from anestrous and transitional mares immediately before EB injection, 48 h after EB administration and five days after LA P4 was given. In cyclic mares, biopsies were collected at estrus and at five days after ovulation. Similar estrogen peaks were achieved after the injection of the single EB dose between treated and cyclic groups, as well as maximum uterine edema. Uterine tone was increased to diestrus levels after administration of 1500 mg of LA P4. Changes in relative abundance of transcripts for PR, ERα and ERβ when progesterone stimulated endometrium was compared to estrogen stimulated endometrium were similar between cyclic and non-cyclic treated mares. However, apparent decreased PR in the endometrial glandular epithelium was not observed in non-cyclic mares five days after LA P4 administration as observed at five days after ovulation in cyclic mares. The protocol produced similar endometrial edema, uterine tonus and changes in relative abundance of PR, ERα and ERβ transcripts to those observed in cyclic mares during late estrus and early diestrus, as well as similar estradiol and estrogen conjugate plasma concentrations., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)