Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Antioxidants
Antioxidants in horses refer to a group of molecules that help protect cells from oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). These compounds can be naturally occurring within the horse's body or obtained through diet. Antioxidants play a role in maintaining cellular integrity and supporting overall health by neutralizing free radicals. Common antioxidants relevant to equine health include vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione. Their presence and activity in the body are influenced by factors such as diet, exercise, and environmental conditions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the sources, mechanisms, and potential impacts of antioxidants on equine physiology and well-being.
Effects of Exercise on Ocular Parameters and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Saliva and Tear Fluid of Horses. Physical exercise is a physiological stressor in horses and may induce oxidative stress through increased production of reactive oxygen species. Saliva and tear fluid are accessible non-invasive matrices that may reflect oxidative balance, while ocular parameters including intraocular pressure (IOP), tear secretion (TS) and central corneal thickness (CCT) are key components of ocular homeostasis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a standardised submaximal exercise session on IOP, TS and CCT, and on oxidative stress biomarkers (CAT, SOD, GSH, MDA, IMA) measured in saliva and tear fluid. Met...
Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Horses Naturally Infected with Theileria equi. Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan , is a globally distributed tick-borne disease characterized by persistent infection and variable clinical manifestations. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several hemoprotozoan diseases, information regarding redox imbalance and its relationship with inflammatory responses in horses naturally infected with remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, antioxidant status, inflammatory cytokines, and clinicopathological alterations in horses naturally infected with . Thirty-fiv...
Oxidative Stress and Immunomarkers in Equine Dermal Melanomatosis: Single-Case Comparison with Healthy Individual. Dermal melanomatosis is a common tumor in grey horses, characterized by cutaneous/subcutaneous lesions with metastatic potential. While clinically well-described, oxidative stress involvement remains poorly understood. This case report compared oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes' activities in total protein extracts from melanomatosis lesions (grey horse) versus healthy control skin (black horse), alongside histopathology and immunohistochemistry, to correlate oxidative imbalance and tumor behavior. Melanomatosis tissue exhibited decreased antioxidant defenses confirmed by catala...
The effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) on stallion spermatozoa motility and vitality in vitro. This study evaluated the effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) seed extract on stallion spermatozoa quality in vitro, focusing on motility, vitality, and functional competence. In vitro spermatozoa analyses showed that fenugreek seed extract did not demonstrate overt cytotoxicity under the tested conditions: S1 = 1562 µg/mL; S2 = 781 µg/mL; S3 = 390.5 µg/mL; S4 = 195.25 µg/mL; S5 = 97.62 µg/mL; S6 = 48.81 µg/mL; S7 = 24.40 µg/mL. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) revealed a concentration- and time-dependent Treatment × Time interac...
Preliminary Metabolomic Analysis: Serum Metabolomic Dynamics During Estrus Synchronization in Kazakh Mares. This study aimed to analyze the differences in serum metabolomes at different stages of estrus synchronization in Kazakh horses, to characterize dynamic changes in serum metabolites during estrus synchronization, and to screen potential metabolic markers and key regulatory pathways. Four sampling stages (M1: intravaginal device insertion; M3: device removal, labeled consistently with the pre-experiment timeline; P: 24 h post-PG injection; L: tertiary follicle emergence) were selected. The research results showed that 37 significantly different metabolites (DAMs) were identified in the M1-vs.-M...
Evaluation of oxidative stress in ill neonatal foals: a preliminary study. Oxidative stress both contributes to and results from sepsis pathophysiology, but its role in ill foals remains poorly characterized. Objective: Ill foals will exhibit decreased antioxidant defense activity and increased oxidative products compared with healthy foals, and these changes will be associated with higher sepsis scores, lower survival scores, and non-survival. Methods: Twenty-six foals < 14 days old: 16 hospitalized foals (11 sick non-septic, 5 septic; median age, 1.5 days; range 1-13) and 10 healthy Standardbred foals (2 days old). Nine of 16 ill foals survived to discharge...
Effect of Spirulina platensis extract (C-phycocyanin) supplementation to the semen extender on kinematic and oxidative parameters of Marwari stallions during freezing. The current research aimed at examining the impact of different quantities of Spirulina platensis extract (C-phycocyanin) supplemented to the semen extender on the post-thaw quality of Marwari stallion spermatozoa. Semen samples were obtained via an artificial vagina from six fertile stallions and diluted with an extender containing Spirulina platensis extract (C-phycocyanin) at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 µg/mL, or without Spirulina as a control. Aliquots of diluted semen were subjected to cooling (4 °C, 120 min) and then frozen (-196 °C, 1 day), after which the kinematic paramet...
Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Therapies for Liver Disease. Liver dysfunction may reduce the metabolism of drugs that undergo extensive hepatic processing. This will lead to reduced clearance and elimination, and can cause accumulation of the drug, increasing the risk of toxicity. Pentoxifylline and ursodeoxycholic acid are 2 pharmaceuticals that can provide benefits for a variety of equine hepatic diseases. Nutraceuticals are frequently used in horses with hepatopathy, targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, and hepatocellular injury. Neutraceuticals such as S-adenosylmethionine, silymarin and vitamin E are most commonly used although extensive rese...
Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Systemic Oxidative Status in Breeding Stallions During Intensive Semen Collection. Breeding stallions are subjected to increased metabolic and physiological demands during the reproductive season, which may lead to enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and disruption of redox balance. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation on oxidative status, metabolic profile, and hindgut fermentation in stallions undergoing intensive semen collection activity. Ten adult breeding stallions were assigned either to a control group or to a treatment group receiving a commercial antioxidant supplement (Oxyliver) for 60 days, followed by a 60-day...
Association Between Vaquejada Practice and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage in Quarter Horses. Vaquejada (VQ) is a traditional Brazilian sport demanding high performance from Quarter Horse (QH) athletes. This study aimed to identify modifications in hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers associated with VQ training, comparing conditioned and non-conditioned horses. Blood samples were collected at rest from 70 healthy QH horses: 60 athletes (VQ-conditioned athlete group-AG) and 10 sedentary controls (breeding horses-CG). Using Linear Mixed Models alongside comprehensive hematological and biochemical analyses, the study found that AG horses exhibited an ...
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis of the Skeletal Muscle Revealed the Effects and Mechanism of Mulberry Leaf Flavonoids on Alleviating Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Mongolian Horses. The scientific evidence regarding the use of plant-derived extracts to alleviate exercise-induced muscle damage in horses remains limited. Mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs) are the primary bioactive constituents of a traditional medicinal plant and are potent antioxidants. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of MLFs against exercise-induced muscle damage. In this study, twelve Mongolian horses were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design to investigate the protective effects of MLFs. Our results showed that high-intensity exercise negatively impacted the immune status, m...
Nano-Encapsulated Vitamin E Enhances Cryo-Resistance of Stallion Spermatozoa: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Sperm Quality, Kinematic Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, Microbiota and Ultrastructure. This experiment explores the comparative ability of vitamin E (VE) and its nano-emulsion (VEN) in enhancing cryo-resistance of stallion spermatozoa by examining semen quality, kinematic variables, acrosome integrity, apoptosis, antioxidant capacity, ultra-structural alterations and microbiota of cryopreserved stallion sperm. Semen from five stallions (8-10 years) was cryopreserved with 0.1 or 1 mM of VE or VEN; and a non-additive group served as the control. The VEN particles ranged in size from 72 to 172 nm, with a mean diameter of 287 nm. Supplementation with VE (1 mM) or VEN (0.1 ...
Membrane and mitochondrial antioxidants improve post-thaw functional quality of stallion spermatozoa. Cryopreservation of stallion semen induces oxidative stress that compromises sperm motility, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function. Given the high mitochondrial reliance of equine spermatozoa and their susceptibility to oxidative damage, compartment-specific antioxidant strategies may improve post-thaw functional resilience. This study evaluated the effects of astaxanthin, a membrane-active carotenoid, and MitoTEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted superoxide scavenger, on the functional and oxidative status of frozen-thawed stallion spermatozoa. Ejaculates from nine stallions were cryopreser...
Conditional Antioxidant Protection of Stallion Spermatozoa by Butylated Hydroxytoluene Under Induced Oxidative Stress. Despite advances in the method, equine semen cryopreservation still leads to a marked decline in sperm quality, partly attributed to oxidative stress, which motivates the search for lipophilic antioxidants capable of stabilizing the plasma membrane during cooling and freezing. This study performed three experiments to evaluate butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as an additive to commercial skim milk-based (Botu-Sêmen) and egg yolk-based (Botu-Crio) extenders. In Experiment 1, a dose-response curve (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM) was performed using stallion semen to assess toxicity and establish a safe ...
Are antioxidants hindering stallion sperm capacitation? A perspective on hidden barriers to equine IVF success. Heavy use of antioxidants in equine in vitro fertilisation (IVF) media may suppress the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals stallion sperm need for capacitation, which depends on high mitochondrial activity and a well-maintained endogenous redox homeostasis. A species-specific approach balancing oxidative protection with controlled ROS signalling could improve fertilisation efficiency and reduce prolonged incubation times.
Omics integration reveals how the gut microbiota of Warmblood horses responds to equestrian show jumping-a short-duration, high-intensity technical exercise stress. Intestinal microbial homeostasis and metabolic balance play a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological function in horses. Exogenous stress involving abrupt turns and jumps during show jumping significantly impacts intestinal microbial homeostasis and metabolic balance in these animals. Results: By comparing rectal (faecal) samples from 10 Warmblood horses collected before and immediately after a show jumping competition on the same day, we observed substantial alterations in intestinal microbial homeostasis and metabolic balance post-exercise. Microbial evenness significantly increase...
Differences in Redox Biomarkers in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Leisure Horses With and Without Severe Equine Asthma: Preliminary Results. Equine asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and oxidative imbalance, particularly in its severe form. The aim of this study was to evaluate pro-oxidative substances, oxidative products, and antioxidant defense biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from horses with and without a history of severe equine asthma (SEA). This prospective observational study included 21 leisure horses classified as SEA or non-SEA based on clinical history and BALF cytology. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed for derivatives of reactive oxygen metaboli...
Evaluation of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense biomarkers in healthy and colic horses: correlation with type of colic and outcome. Colic is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses, with oxidative stress implicated in its pathophysiology. Objective: Evaluate biomarkers (BIOs) of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in healthy horses and those with non-strangulating colic (NSC) and strangulating colic (SC) and assess correlations with survival. Methods: Seventy-one adult horses: 10 healthy and 61 colic-affected (42 NSC, 19 SC) admitted to 3 veterinary teaching hospitals. Methods: Prospective, multicenter cohort study. Blood samples were collected at admission (T0) and up to 96 h post-admission. Biomarkers me...
Effects of L-selenomethionine supplementation on nutrient digestibility and metabolism, antioxidant capacity, hormone levels, and fecal microbiota diversity in pregnant Yili mares during mid- to late gestation. L-selenomethionine (L-SeMet), a highly bioavailable organic form of selenium, plays a critical role in maintaining antioxidant homeostasis, regulating reproductive hormone secretion, and improving intestinal microbial ecology. Previous studies have demonstrated that appropriate supplementation with L-SeMet can significantly enhance the production performance and health status of ruminants. However, the nutritional regulatory mechanisms and physiological effects of L-SeMet in monogastric herbivores, particularly horses during mid- to late gestation, remain inadequately understood. Therefore, th...
Spirulina supplementation regulates inflammation and supports cartilage health in adult sedentary horses following moderate-intensity exercise. Horses experience rapid physiological, inflammatory, and oxidative responses during exercise. Spirulina, a nutrient-dense microalga with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may help modulate these responses and support recovery. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of 30-day dietary Spirulina supplementation on physiological, inflammatory, and oxidative stress responses to moderate-intensity exercise in sedentary horses. We hypothesized that 30-day Spirulina supplementation would modulate hematologic and inflammatory responses and support recovery from moderate-intensity exerc...
Evaluation of oxidative stress in the newborn foal: a multibiomarker approach. During the perinatal period, neonates experience a sudden increase in oxygen exposure, predisposing them to oxidative stress. Objective: This prospective, in vivo study aimed to evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence in healthy neonatal foals during the first 48 hours of life. Methods: Ten Standardbred foals were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at birth, 24 hours, and 48 hours after birth and analyzed for biomarkers using spectrophotometry assays. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests and linear regression. Results: The results revealed s...
Niacin Improves Cryopreserved Equine Sperm Quality and Gene Expression: An Artificial Intelligence Assisted Evaluation. Niacin acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage. This study evaluated the effects of adding niacin to the equine semen freezing extender on sperm quality and gene expression after cryopreservation. Ejaculates from ten stallions were frozen using the INRA 96 extender (control) or extenders supplemented with 10- and 20-mM niacin. After thawing, sperm were analysed for motility, kinematics, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential, lipid peroxidation, nitrite, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations, DNA integrity, ...
Cryoprotective Efficacy of Omega-3 Nano-Emulsion on Kinematic Parameters, Acrosome Status, Subcellular Ultrastructure, and Oxidative/Antioxidant Markers in Cryopreserved Stallion Semen. This study aims to investigate the cryoprotective effect of Omega-3 nano-emulsion (Omega-3 NE) on stallion sperm quality, kinematic parameters, acrosome status, subcellular ultrastructure, oxidative/antioxidant markers, and semen microbiota. Forty ejaculates were collected, extended, and cryopreserved from 5 fertile Pure Egyptian stallions (Equus caballus). The ejaculates were divided into five groups: a control group (without additive) and four groups supplemented with 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg of Omega-3 NE/mL. The Omega-3 NE exhibited an average particle size of 51-146 nm, a PDI of 0.58,...
Myo-Inositol Nano-Emulsion for Enhancing Stallion Chilled Semen: Insights from In Vivo and In Silico Analyses of Sperm Quality, Oxidative Stress, Ultrastructure, Mitochondrial Response, and Semen Bacteriology. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to male infertility. Therefore, fortifying assisted reproductive technology with nanotechnology could enhance sperm preservation. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of myo-inositol nano-emulsion (MINE) supplementation in semen extender on sperm quality, redox balance, semen bacteriology, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and acrosome status of chilled stallion semen. Methods: Semen samples were collected and preserved with 0 (MINE0), 1 (MINE1), and 2 (MINE2) mg of MINE/mL of extender. Results: Results revealed that extender fortified with 1 or 2 ...
Limited impacts of dietary Protandim Nrf2 Synergizer on antioxidant and inflammatory status of mature, sedentary horses. Reactive oxygen species are normal by-products of cellular metabolism but may have detrimental effects on cellular matrices and excite inflammatory pathways when overproduced. To test the hypothesis that supplementation of an herbal extract combination would: 1) improve antioxidant status; 2) increase anti-inflammatory cytokines; and 3) decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, 40 mature, sedentary stock-type horses (32 mares, 8 geldings, mean±SD; 15.7 ± 4.9 yr, 519 ± 46 kg) were stratified by age, sex, and body weight and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatment groups for 5...
Postbiotics: Multifunctional Microbial Products Transforming Animal Health and Performance. Postbiotics, which are preparations of inanimate microorganisms and their components, have emerged as a promising functional ingredient in animal health and nutrition. Postbiotics are primarily composed of microbial cell fractions, metabolites, enzymes, vitamins, polysaccharides, and short-chain fatty acids. Unlike probiotics, postbiotics do not contain live microorganisms, which strengthens their greater stability and safety in feed/food formulations. Postbiotics offer several beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, and antimicrobial actions. They enha...
Impact of exercise frequency, race distance, age, and pregnancy stage on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in purebred Arabian mares. Pregnancy causes increased oxidative stress in mares, possibly harming both the mare and the foal, whereas the effects of different exercise levels on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism during pregnancy remain unclear. Objective: For this reason, the aim of this research was to explore the impacts of different training intensities on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism during pregnancy. Methods: The study comprised 22 clinically normal Purebred Arabian mares from Algeria, which were divided into three groups according to age and exercise frequency. Blood samples were collected during both...
Efficacy of butylated hydroxytoluene nanoparticles in enhancing the quality and preservation of stallion chilled semen. Encapsulating natural antioxidants presents a robust strategy to neutralize oxidative stress, thereby improving semen preservation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of butylated hydroxytoluene nanoparticles (BHT-NPs) in improving stallion semen preservation by investigating sperm quality, redox balance, semen bacteriology, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and acrosome status of chilled stallion semen preserved at 4 °C for 72 h. This in vitro experiment was evidenced by molecular docking analysis. Twenty-five ejaculates from five stallions were collected and extended with 0 (BH...
Naloxone supplementation during vitrification of equine in vitro matured oocytes after overnight holding: insights from a comparative study with the bovine model. Cryopreservation of equine mature oocytes remains a major challenge in assisted reproduction, mainly due to the limited availability of material and logistical constraints requiring a holding phase. To address these issues, this study evaluated whether naloxone (NX), an opioid receptor antagonist with reported antioxidant properties, could improve vitrification outcomes and whether bovine oocytes could serve as a suitable preliminary and supportive model. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, immature (bGV) and mature (bMII) bovine oocytes were vitrified without (VIT) or with NX (VI...
L-Carnitine supplementation to the stallion semen extender attenuates the cryopreservation induced oxidative stress and ameliorates sperm functional attributes. The current study evaluated the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation to the stallion semen extender on pre-freeze and post-thaw semen quality and oxidative parameters in Marwari breed stallions. Methods: For this purpose, thirty-six semen ejaculates (6 ejaculates from each stallion) were collected using an artificial vagina (AV) from six adult Marwari stallions. The gel free semen was extended with different concentrations of L-Carnitine (LC) i.e. 0 mM (control), 2.5 mM (T1), 5 mM (T2) and 10 mM (T3). Pre-freeze and post-thaw semen evaluations were conducted for various seminal attributes and...
