Which thesis will win the Audevard Trophy?
Every year, Audevard presents the “In Equine Vets We Trust” Trophy, a thesis award designed to encourage and reward veterinary medicine students.
This prize will be awarded to the author of a thesis in the field of equine health, selected by our jury and having received the most votes. The winner will receive €2,000.
Through this initiative, Audevard aims to support future equine veterinarians at the start of their careers and to promote the sharing of scientific knowledge within the profession.
After reviewing all applications, our jury has selected 5 finalists who now await your votes to determine the winner.
Are you a veterinarian or a veterinary student?
Discover the five theses that caught the jury’s attention and vote for the one you think should win the Audevard Trophy!
Voting open until December 22, 2025.
DESCRIPTION OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED INJECTION OF THE DISCOMANDIBULAR JOINT IN EQUIDS.
Georgia CAUDLE, Andrew FISK-JAKSON
SUMMARY
The equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been recently identified as a cause of poor performance in horses. There is an increasing need to accurately inject the TMJ to allow diagnosis and clinical management in horses. The TMJ consists of two non-communicating compartments: the discomandibular joint (DMJ) and the discotemporal joint (DTJ). While a methodology exists for injecting the DTJ, no approach for the DMJ has been described. To accurately diagnose TMJ related issues, both compartments should be injected. The purpose of this study was to describe an ultrasound-guided approach for injecting the DMJ, and to report its success, and the frequency of communication between the DMJ and DTJ. Seven cadaver heads, giving fourteen respective TMJ joints, were procured for injection. Each DMJ was injected with radiographic contrast using a timed ultrasound-guided technique. The heads underwent a CT scan and representative ultrasound images during injection were saved, allowing evaluation of both. There was a 100% success rate of DMJ injection, but in 29% joints a communication was demonstrated between the DMJ and DTJ. Based on the location of half of the communicating joints, there was a probability this was iatrogenic via a needle tract. The described technique was highly successful for injection of the DMJ. The sample size, experience, and use of only cadavers are limiting factors of this study.
ASSESSMENT OF A SEROPREVALENCE STUDY OF WEST NILE, USUTU, AND TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUSES IN A SAMPLE OF THE EQUINE POPULATION IN GIRONDE IN 2023.
Margaux DE MAS, 2025
SUMMARY
A seroprevalence study of West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was conducted in Gironde in the spring of 2023, following the emergence of WNV in equids in this department in 2022. The serological status of 494 horses, located in three geographical areas (Confluence, Intermediate Zone, and Arcachon Basin), was assessed through blood sampling for these three viruses. The results showed an overall seroprevalence of 14% for the three orthoflaviviruses, with the highest rates observed in the Confluence zone : 9% for WNV and 5% for USUV. Housing type (exclusive pasture) and the distance to the nearest Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds were identified as significant risk factors for WNV seropositivity. This study, the first of its kind on the French Atlantic coast, demonstrates active circulation of WNV in this region as well as the presence of USUV in equids.
LIFESTYLE FACTORS INFLUENCING COLIC RISK IN HORSES: A FRENCH CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY.
DUCHAT
SUMMARY
Colic remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in horses worldwide. Although numerous risk factors have been reported, most epidemiological data originate from studies performed more than two decades ago and outside France. The present cross-sectional study aimed to identify lifestyle-related risk factors for equine colic within the French horse population. An online questionnaire was distributed to horse owners to collect detailed information on individual characteristics, housing conditions, feeding practices, activity level, transport history, and health management, as well as the occurrence of previous colic episodes. Data from 645 horses were analysed using logistic regression models (Stata 17), grouping explanatory variables by major domains. Significant risk factors included owner-reported nervous temperament (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, p = 0.010), housing in a stall with or without paddock turnout (OR = 3.07 and 4.79, p = 0.023 and 0.045, respectively), and a history of digestive (OR = 3.13, p = 0.001) or reproductive disorders (OR = 3.84, p = 0.045). Conversely, a lower risk of colic was observed in horses of unknown breeding (OR = 0.51, p = 0.037), in those receiving fresh grass daily (OR = 0.63, p = 0.023), in animals dewormed only after a positive fecal egg count or one to two times per year (OR = 0.28 and 0.65, p = 0.041 and 0.025), and in pastured horses with larger available surface area (p = 0.007). Unexpected inverse associations were found for daily concentrate intake and infrequent dental care, which are likely attributable to reporting bias and imprecise classification of feed and management practices. This first large-scale French survey provides an updated overview of horse management and highlights modifiable factors associated with colic risk. The findings support targeted recommendations on housing and parasite control while underscoring the need for longitudinal studies to clarify causal relationships and to investigate other potential determinants such as vaccination, hoof care, or climatic influences.
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF EMBRYONIC AND FETAL MORTALITY RATES AFTER TRANSFER IN RECIPIENT MARES OF FRESH IN VIVO-PRODUCED EMBRYOS AND FROZEN-THAWED EMBRYOS PRODUCED IN VITRO FOLLOWING INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI) OF IN VITRO-MATURED OOCYTES OVER FOUR BREEDING SEASONS (2021-2024).
A. Marie¹, H. Terris², V. Mével¹, J-F. Bruyas¹
¹ONIRIS - École nationale vétérinaire, agroalimentaire et de l’alimentation Nantes-Atlantique, Nantes, France ; ²Hus Reproduction, Haras de Hus, Petit-Mars, France
SUMMARY
The objective of this retrospective study was to compare embryonic and fetal survival rates after embryo transfer in mares, using either fresh in vivo–derived embryos or frozen in vitro–produced embryos obtained by ovum pick-up and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Data were collected from 1,639 embryo transfers performed at Haras de Hus (France) during four consecutive breeding seasons (2021–2024). After applying exclusion criteria, 1,339 transfers (665 in vivo and 674 in vitro) were included. Pregnancy diagnostics were performed by ultrasonography at 14, 28, 45, and 63 days of gestation.
Survival analyses (Kaplan–Meier and Cox models) demonstrated significantly higher embryonic and fetal mortality for ICSI embryos compared with in vivo embryos (p < 0.001). The excess losses in the in vitro group were mainly observed during the early embryonic period before day 14, with a mortality rate of 34% compared to 25% for in vivo embryos. Between day 14 and day 63, the effective losses were similar in both groups, and no significant difference was detected.
Neither donor mare nor stallion had a significant effect on pregnancy loss. Recipient age at transfer also showed no significant influence, in contrast with some previous reports, likely reflecting the strict selection of recipients in this stud. In vivo embryos collected in multiple numbers during the same cycle showed a significantly reduced risk of loss. In vitro embryos subjected to biopsy for sex determination presented a significantly higher risk of loss. Repeated use of recipient mares within the same season was also associated with a higher risk of loss. Season emerged as a significant factor: transfers performed in summer were associated with higher early embryonic losses compared with those in spring.
This large-scale study confirms that the fragility of ICSI embryos is mainly expressed during the earliest post-transfer period. Once established, pregnancies progressed similarly to those from in vivo embryos. These results highlight the need for optimized recipient management and laboratory protocols.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF SYNOVIAL FLUID AND MEMBRANE IN HORSES AFFECTED BY INFLAMMATORY AND SEPTIC SYNOVITIS.
Delphine FOURTEAU
SUMMARY
Background: Septic synovitis in horses is a frequent emergency with major prognostic consequences. Rapid distinction from non-septic synovitis remains challenging. Arthroscopy provides a descriptive evaluation, while histology offers complementary information on inflammation. The role of cytokines in non-septic arthritis is documented, but few studies have assessed their involvement in septic synovitis.
Objectives: To identify inflammatory factors associated with septic and non-septic synovitis, evaluate correlations between arthroscopic and histological scoring, and determine relevant synovial fluid biomarkers.
Methods: Seventy horses were divided into three groups: Group 1, elective or therapeutic arthroscopy (n=26); Group 2, septic synovitis requiring arthroscopic lavage (n=25); and Group 3, periarticular injuries without synovial involvement (n=19). Synovial fluid was analyzed for cytology and 23 cytokines using a MILLIPLEX® panel. Groups 1 and 2 also underwent synovial biopsies. Arthroscopic scores (0–12) were designed for this study; histological scores (0–15) followed a standardized system. Data were analyzed with parametric and non-parametric tests, Spearman correlation, and principal component analysis.
Results: Septic synovitis showed higher synovial cellularity, protein, and neutrophils than other groups (p<0.01). Arthroscopic (8.0 vs 6.0; p=0.004) and histological scores (9.0 vs 5.6; p=0.006) were higher in septic cases, with moderate correlation (r=0.39; p=0.02). IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were consistently elevated in septic synovitis, correlated with cytology and scoring, and were the main discriminators in PCA.
Limitations: Unequal group sizes, lack of a healthy control group, and heterogeneity in horses.
Conclusions: Cytology provides rapid diagnostic insight, but histology adds accuracy. The cytokine quartet IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 represents a promising biomarker panel for septic synovitis and supports development of rapid diagnostic assays for clinical use.
