Daily rhythm of tear production in normal horse.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess the daily rhythm of tear production in clinically healthy horses, to compare left eye and right eye, and to evaluate the influence of time and gender.


METHODS
For our study 18 horses (nine female and nine male) were subjected to three different light/dark (L/D) schedules: 12/12 L/D cycles, constant light (24/0 L/D) and constant darkness (0/24 L/D).


METHODS
In all subjects Schirmer tear tests were performed at 4-h intervals over a 24-h period.


RESULTS
A circadian rhythm of tear production was found during the 12/12 L/D period and during constant darkness. Also our results showed a statistical significant difference comparing left eye and right eye, and between gender.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings would suggest that the time of tear evaluation is significant in the diagnosis of tear film disorders, and that the difference between the two eyes and the two genders should be taken into consideration during the ophthalmic exam.
Piccione
Giuseppe
G
Dipartimento di Scienze Sperimentali e Biotecnologie Applicate, Laboratorio di Cronofisiologia Veterinaria, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy. giuseppe.piccione@unime.it
Giannetto
Claudia
C
Fazio
Francesco
F
Giudice
Elisabetta
E
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*