By Blake Jackson
Researchers at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment have secured more than $1.8 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to advance research addressing critical equine health challenges.
The funding supports five projects led by faculty in the Department of Veterinary Science, covering areas such as infectious diseases, reproduction, immunology, and musculoskeletal health. The research aims to improve horse health while supporting Kentucky’s globally recognized equine industry.
“The number and variety of research topics funded within a single grant cycle is highly unusual and reflects the scope and expected world-wide impact of the research conducted in the Department of Veterinary Sciences,” said Associate Dean for Research James Matthews.
One of the largest awards, totaling $650,000, was granted to researcher Feng Li to investigate the genetic and antigenic diversity of equine rotavirus A, a leading cause of severe diarrhea in young foals. The project will examine how the virus evolves and how those changes influence immune responses, potentially contributing to improved vaccine development.
Yosra Helmy received $300,000 to explore non-antibiotic treatments for subclinical Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals. The study will evaluate promising compounds that have shown the ability to inhibit bacterial growth and reduce infection in equine immune cells.
Another $300,000 project, led by Allen Page, will assess whether corticosteroid injections used to treat joint inflammation interfere with vaccine effectiveness. Researchers will examine how these treatments may influence immune protection against equine influenza.
Bruno Menarim’s $300,000 study will focus on phenylbutazone, a commonly used anti-inflammatory medication, and its potential impact on exercise adaptation and chronic inflammation in horses.
Meanwhile, Hossam Elsayed will investigate a possible hormonal signal involved in maternal recognition of pregnancy in mares. The $300,000 project could lead to improved pregnancy detection methods and strategies to reduce early pregnancy loss.
“Together, the five projects represent a wide look at horse health, from the first weeks of a foal’s life to reproductive success, disease prevention and athletic soundness and illustrates the comprehensive equine research capacity possessed by the faculty and facilities of the Department of Veterinary Sciences,” Matthews said.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-patrick-jennings
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