Zhang X, Geng A, Cao D, Dugarjaviin M. Horses are susceptible to oxidative stress during strenuous endurance exercise, leading to muscle fatigue and damage. Mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs) possess significant antioxidant properties. However, the antioxidant efficacy of MLFs can be influenced by the extraction process, and their impact on HO-induced oxidative stress in equine skeletal muscle satellite cells (ESMCs) remains unexplored. Our study employed three extraction methods to obtain MLFs: ultrasound-assisted extraction (CEP), purification with AB-8 macroporous resin (RP), and n-butanol extraction (NB-EP). We assessed the prot...
Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Yalong M, Poungpuk K, Thanaudom K, Lertsakkongkul P, Lappolpaibul K, Deethong N, Chanda M.Cooling down is essential for horse recovery before veterinary inspection during an endurance ride. As salt potentially decreases water temperature, we tested whether adding salt to the water used to cool horses could aid their recovery. Twelve healthy Arabian horses participating in a novice endurance ride were divided evenly into two groups. Heart rate variability (HRV) variables, including time and frequency domains, non-linear results, and autonomic nervous system indices, were determined before recovery and at 1-min intervals for 9 min during recovery using either cold or cold-saline wa...
Khaledi KA, Mirshahi A, Sardari K, Azizzadeh M, Ghasemi S.The Turkmen horse is one of the oldest breeds in the world with unique characteristics in agility, endurance and jump, being publicly acclaimed. Laminitis affects the limbs and decreases athletic performance. Radiographic evaluation is essential to confirm the sinking diagnosis in every breed of a horse suffering from laminitis. Since no information about distal phalanx radiographic measurements in this breed has been reported, the current study was designed and conducted. In the present study, 24 clinically sound registered Turkmen horses of both sexes (15 mares and nine stallions) were selec...
Reiu00dfmann M, Rajavel A, Kokov ZA, Schmitt AO.RNA sequencing makes it possible to uncover genetic mechanisms that underlie certain performance traits. In order to gain a deeper insight into the genetic background and biological processes involved in endurance performance in horses, the changes in the gene expression profiles induced by endurance runs over long (70 km) and short (15 km) distances in the blood of Kabardian horses () were analyzed. For the long-distance runs, we identified 1484 up- and 691 downregulated genes, while after short-distance runs, only 13 up- and 8 downregulated genes (FC > |1.5|; < 0.05) were found. These...
Davie A, Beavers R, Hargitaiovu00e1 K, Denham J.This paper provides a comprehensive discussion on the physiological impacts of hypoxic training, its benefits to endurance performance, and a rationale for utilizing it to improve performance in the equine athlete. All exercise-induced training adaptations are governed by genetics. Exercise prescriptions can be tailored to elicit the desired physiological adaptations. Although the application of hypoxic stimuli on its own is not ideal to promote favorable molecular responses, exercise training under hypoxic conditions provides an optimal environment for maximizing physiological adaptations to ...
Myu0107ka G, Ropka-Molik K, Cywiu0144ska A, Szmatou0142a T, Stefaniuk-Szmukier M.Recent studies have shown that in Arabian horse muscle, long-term exercise-induced expression of genes related to fatty acid degradation and the downregulation of genes belonging to the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and insulin signalling pathways. Long-lasting physical exertion may trigger the metabolism to switch the main energy source from carbohydrates to lipids due to higher caloric content. Objective: To describe the metabolism adaptation at the whole transcriptome of blood to endurance effort in Arabian horses. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Venous blood samples from 10 Arabian hors...
Bou T, Ding W, Ren X, Liu H, Gong W, Jia Z, Zhang X, Dugarjaviin M, Bai D.Traditional Mongolian endurance training is an effective way to improve the athletic ability of the horse for endurance events and is widely used. This incorporates aerobic exercise and intermittent fasting and these altered physiologic conditions are associated with switches between muscle fibre types. Objective: To better understand the adaption of horse skeletal muscle to traditional Mongolian endurance training from muscle fibre characteristics and transcriptional levels and to explore possible molecular mechanisms associated with the endurance performance of horses. Methods: Before-after ...
Su00e1nchez-Guerrero MJ, Ripollu00e9s-Lobo M, Bartolomu00e9 E, Perdomo-Gonzu00e1lez DI, Valera M.The Arabian horse is a generally reliable sport horse, and continues to be a remarkable endurance horse, so the relevance of the expected value of the proportion of Arabian genes (EV%AG) in horses participating in eventing could be a relevant factor. A total of 1089 horses participating in eventing (8866 records) were used. A GLM revealed that the EV%AG was significant in dressage, show jumping and cross-country. A BLUP genetic evaluation was computed with five genetic models (without the EV%AG (0) using as a covariate (A), as a fixed effect (B), with variance heterogeneity, and in genetic gro...
Bollinger L, Bartel A, Weber C, Gehlen H.High elimination rates and concerns for horse welfare are important issues in endurance riding. Improved understanding of the causes of elimination could increase completion rates in this sport. We have identified pre-ride laboratory risk factors that enable an assessment of potential elimination before the ride. A longitudinal cohort study was performed among 49 healthy horses competing in the 160 km endurance ride at the 2016 World Championship of Endurance Riding in Samorin/Slovakia. Blood samples were taken before the event. For statistical evaluation, horses were categorized into three gr...
Brito G, Damiu00e1n JP, Suu00e1rez G, Ruprechter G, Trigo P.RHU is the oldest endurance sport in Uruguay. However, despite 80 years of racing, there are no studies to characterize this type of competition, explore rates and causes of death, and identify the associated risk factors. The aim was to characterize the Raid Hipico Uruguayo (RHU) competencies according to the distance (short (SR, 60 km) vs. long (LR, 80-115 km)), the causes of deaths, and the associated risk factors. The study population comprised horses ( = 16,856) that participated in RHU rides from 2007 to 2018. LR were more frequent than SR ( < 0.001). The average speed of winners was ...
Fielding CL, Deane EL, Major DS, Mayer JR, Love JC, Peralez MS, Magdesian KG.The addition of calcium to resuscitation fluids is a common practice in horses, but studies evaluating the effects of calcium supplementation are limited. In healthy horses, decreases in heart rate and changes in serum electrolyte concentrations have been reported. Objective: Calcium gluconate administration at a rate of 0.4 mg/kg/min to eliminated endurance horses with metabolic problems will affect heart rate, gastrointestinal sounds, and serum electrolyte concentrations. Methods: Endurance horses eliminated from the Tevis Cup 100-mile (160 km) endurance ride for metabolic problems and req...
Pakula PD, Halama A, Al-Dous EK, Johnson SJ, Filho SA, Suhre K, Vinardell T.Exercise-induced hemolysis occurs as the result of intense physical exercise and is caused by metabolic and mechanical factors including repeated muscle contractions leading to capillary vessels compression, vasoconstriction of internal organs and foot strike among others. We hypothesized that exercise-induced hemolysis occurred in endurance racehorses and its severity was associated with the intensity of exercise. To provide further insight into the hemolysis of endurance horses, the aim of the study was to deployed a strategy for small molecules (metabolites) profiling, beyond standard molec...
Grzu0119dzicka J, Du0105browska I, Malin K, Witkowska-Piu0142aszewicz O.Increased training loads in both human and equine athletes are generally implemented to improve their physical performance. These loads are tolerated only within appropriate training periodization with regard to recovery time. Otherwise, training overload causes failure in the systemic adaptation, which at first leads to overreaching, and progressively to overtraining syndrome (OTS). Exercise endocrinology, and anabolic/catabolic balance as an indicator of athlete performance status and OTS has continued to attract attention. In human medicine, changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, as w...
Likon I, Dyson S, Nagy A.Proximal metacarpal injury is common in endurance horses, yet exercise-induced changes in this region have not been described. This study aimed to document objective exercise-induced changes in the proximal palmar cortex of the third metacarpal bone (PcMcIII) and the suspensory ligament (SL). Low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images of both proximal metacarpal regions were obtained from six novice and six experienced horses, before and after six months of endurance training. Measurements were acquired in T1-weighted transverse MR images at four levels and included the thickness of the PcMcIII,...
Marichal G, Trigo P, Soto C, Meikle A, Suu00e1rez G.The Raid Uruguayo (RAID) is an equestrian endurance competition. This study characterized the hydroelectrolytic parameters (Na, K, Cl, tCa, and iCa), hematocrit (Ht), total plasma protein (TPP), and blood pH from 900 equine athletes (finishers and non-finishers) competing over distances of 80 to 115 km under different climate conditions. Paired blood samples were taken prior to the start of the competition (sample 1) and at the end of the race or at the time of leaving the competition (sample 2). The association of the comfort index (CI: low, moderate, and high) with blood parameters was evalu...
Burnley M.The parameters of the hyperbolic speed-duration relationship (the asymptote critical speed, CS, and the curvature constant, D') provide estimates of the maximal steady state speed (CS) and the distance an animal can run, swim, or fly at speeds above CS before it is forced to slow down or stop (D'). The speed-duration relationship has been directly studied in humans, horses, mice and rats. The technical difficulties with treadmill running in dogs and the relatively short greyhound race durations means that, perhaps surprisingly, it has not been assessed in dogs. The endurance capabilities of li...
Adah AS, Ayo JO, Adah DA, Nwonuma CO, Lawal TA.Exercise-induced oxidative stress is a challenge in equine sports. This study aims at determining the effects of ergothioneine on heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) following the stress of an endurance exercise of 30 km by Arabian stallions. Molecular docking was also done to investigate the interaction between the ligand ergothioneine and heat shock protein-70 using sulfogalactosylceramide and sulfogalactoglycerolipid as standards. The study involved a total of 18 clinically healthy stallions, with an average age of 6.7 ± 2.4 years and an average weight of 411.54 ± 12.46 kg. Only cli...
Plisak U, Szczepaniak J, u017bmigrodzka M, Giercuszkiewicz-Hecold B, Witkowska-Piu0142aszewicz O.Several anti-inflammatory cytokines have been proposed as markers for exercise monitoring in humans such as the interleukin 1 receptor agonist (IL-ra), or interleukin 13 (IL-13). Equine athletes may be considered a model for human exercise physiology research, however there is a lack of such studies of this species. Thus, we decided to examine the changes of IL-1ra and IL-13 in serum concentration during aerobic (endurance) and anaerobic (race) exercise in horses of different fitness levels in comparison with the well-known anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10). The group of endura...
Vinardell T, David F, Galezowski AM, Ali M, Qasim M, Massie SL, McCrae P, Filho S, Leguillette R.Swimming is used for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and for conditioning to improve equine fitness. However, there are anecdotal reports that suggest that tethered swimming can induce epistaxis, likely secondary to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The objective of this observational, prospective study was to investigate if EIPH occurs during intensive free-swimming training sessions (5 × 70m) using 15 endurance horses. On tracheo-bronchoscopic evaluations following swimming, low grade mucus scores were observed, but no tracheal blood was observed. Bronchoalveolar la...
Hollenbach E, Robert MP, le Roux C, Smit Y.If the number of events alone is considered, endurance riding is the fastest growing and the second-most popular Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) discipline. Lameness is the most common cause of elimination from endurance races worldwide. To the authors' knowledge, no studies have been published investigating the prevalence of radiographic changes in the forelimb digits and metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) of endurance racehorses in South Africa. Unassigned: Investigate the prevalence of radiographic changes in the forelimb digits and MCP joints of South African endurance racehorses....
Miheliu0107 K, Vrbanac Z, Bojaniu0107 K, Kostanju0161ak T, Ljubiu0107 BB, Gotiu0107 J, Vnuk D, Bottegaro NB.This study aimed to evaluate if exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) occurs in endurance horses in response to the race. The study included 23 horses competing in an endurance competition with a successfully passed clinical examination before the race. Blood samples were collected before the start and within 30 min after the end of the race. Haematological and biochemical tests were performed and correlated to acute phase biomarkers changes. Values of calprotectin and haptoglobin (Hp) decreased after the races compared to values before, while concentrations of ceruloplasmin and albumin ...
Mach N, Midoux C, Leclercq S, Pennarun S, Le Moyec L, Ruu00e9 O, Robert C, Sallu00e9 G, Barrey E.Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiome contributes to endurance exercise performance. Still, the extent of its functional and metabolic potential remains unknown. Using elite endurance horses as a model system for exercise responsiveness, we built an integrated horse gut gene catalog comprising ~25 million unique genes and 372 metagenome-assembled genomes. This catalog represents 4179 genera spanning 95 phyla and functional capacities primed to exploit energy from dietary, microbial, and host resources. The holo-omics approach shows that gut microbiomes enriched in Lachnospiraceae...
Bloom F, Draper S, Bennet E, Marlin D, Williams J.Horse welfare is a priority in the equine sport of endurance riding. Identification and reduction of risk factors associated with elimination and lameness have been the focus of research to date, however, this has centred on international competition. National federations recognise there is a need to consider risk factors for elimination at a more local level. Objective: Determine current risk factors associated with horse eliminations, specifically lameness eliminations within British endurance. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data were extracted from the Endurance GB database, ...
Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Delesalle CJG.Hyperthermia is a performance and welfare issue for exercising horses. The thermoregulatory stressors associated with exercise have typically been estimated by responses in the laboratory. However, monitoring surface skin temperature (T ) coincident with core temperature (T ) has not previously been investigated in horses exercising in the field. We investigated the suitability of monitoring surface T as a metric of the thermoregulatory response, and simultaneously investigated its relationship with T using gastrointestinal (GI) temperature. We evaluated T in 13 endurance horses competing...
Criscione A, Mastrangelo S, D'Alessandro E, Tumino S, Di Gerlando R, Zumbo A, Marletta D, Bordonaro S.Purosangue Orientale Siciliano, Sanfratellano and Siciliano represent the Sicilian equine genetic resource. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure and the pattern of autozygosity of Sicilian horse populations using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data generated with the Illumina Equine SNP70 array. The genotyping data of 17 European and Middle East populations were also included in the study. The patterns of genetic differentiation, model-based clustering and Neighbour-Net showed the expected positioning of Sicilian populations within the w...
Bravo-Barriga D, Serrano-Aguilera FJ, Barrasa-Rita R, Habela Mu00c1, Chacu00f3n RB, Ezquerra LJ, Martu00edn-Cuervo M.Endurance is an increasingly popular equestrian sport. However, in southern Europe, there is a high prevalence of horses that are asymptomatic carriers of equine piroplasmosis (EP), a tick-borne disease that could affect their performance. This study aimed to evaluate the impact and influence of EP on the performance of endurance horses. Blood samples were collected from 40 horses in Extremadura, Spain, before and after a race, in different national elite horse endurance competitions. Hematological and biochemical parameters and EP seroprevalence were analysed by competitive enzyme-linked immu...
Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F.Swimming is used for rehabilitation and conditioning purposes in equine sports medicine. We described the swimming kinematics of the equine forelimbs in Part 1. The aim of Part 2 is to assess stifle, tarsus, and hind fetlock joints kinematics in swimming horses. The objectives were 1- to calculate and compare joint angles during swimming against passive mobilizations (PM), 2- to determine joints angular velocities during a swimming stride cycle. Methods: Eleven elite endurance horses were used to swim in a 100-meter straight pool. Underwater (swimming) and overground PM videos were recorded fr...
Suk MH, Kwon JY. To determine the effects of an equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) program on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). An evaluator-blinded, parallel, two-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial with 1:1 randomization. A tertiary university hospital and a local arena. Forty-six children with CP (24 boys and 22 girls) classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I, II, or III were included. The EAAT program was conducted for 40 min twice a week for 16 weeks (32 lessons). Clinical global impression scales, motor capacity, cardi...
Mukai K, Kitaoka Y, Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Takahashi K, Ohmura H.We investigated whether moderate-intensity training of horses in moderate hypoxia for 4 weeks elicits greater adaptations in exercise performance, aerobic capacity, and glycolytic/oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle compared to normoxic training. In a randomized crossover study design, seven untrained Thoroughbred horses (5.9 ± 1.1 years, 508 ± 9 kg) completed 4 weeks (3 sessions/week) of two training protocols consisting of 3-min cantering at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption ( ) in hypoxia (HYP; F O = 14.7%) and normoxia (NOR; F O = 21.0%) with a 4-month washout period....
Cappelli K, Mecocci S, Capomaccio S, Beccati F, Palumbo AR, Tognoloni A, Pepe M, Chiaradia E.Physical exercise has been associated with the modulation of micro RNAs (miRNAs), actively released in body fluids and recognized as accurate biomarkers. The aim of this study was to measure serum miRNA profiles in 18 horses taking part in endurance competitions, which represents a good model to test metabolic responses to moderate intensity prolonged efforts. Serum levels of miRNAs of eight horses that were eliminated due to metabolic unbalance (Non Performer-NP) were compared to those of 10 horses that finished an endurance competition in excellent metabolic condition (Performer-P). Circulat...
Cappelli K, Felicetti M, Capomaccio S, Spinsanti G, Silvestrelli M, Supplizi AV.Adequate stress response is a critical factor during athlete horses' training and is central to our capacity to obtain better performances while safeguarding animal welfare. In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this process, several studies have been conducted that take advantage of microarray and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technologies to analyse the expression of candidate genes involved in the cellular stress response. Appropriate application of qRT-PCR, however, requires the use of reference genes whose level of expression is not affected by the test, by ge...
Mach N, Plancade S, Pacholewska A, Lecardonnel J, Riviu00e8re J, Moroldo M, Vaiman A, Morgenthaler C, Beinat M, Nevot A, Robert C, Barrey E.The adaptive response to extreme endurance exercise might involve transcriptional and translational regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). Therefore, the objective of the present study was to perform an integrated analysis of the blood transcriptome and miRNome (using microarrays) in the horse before and after a 160 km endurance competition. A total of 2,453 differentially expressed genes and 167 differentially expressed microRNAs were identified when comparing pre- and post-ride samples. We used a hypergeometric test and its generalization to gain a better understanding of the biological functio...
Serrano AL, Quiroz-Rothe E, Rivero JL.Twenty-four 4-year-old Andalusian (Spanish breed) stallions were used to examine the plasticity of myosin heavy chain (MHC) phenotype and the metabolic profile in horse skeletal muscle with long-term endurance-exercise training and detraining. Sixteen horses underwent a training programme based on aerobic exercises for 8 months. Afterwards, they were kept in paddocks for 3 months. The remaining eight horses were used as controls. Three gluteus medius muscle biopsy samples were removed at depths of 20, 40 and 60 mm from each horse before (month 0), during (month 3) and after (month 8) training,...
McGreevy PD, French NP, Nicol CJ.The behaviour of horses competing in different disciplines was studied and the relationship between the time they spent out of the stable and the prevalence of abnormal behaviour was examined. The owners of dressage, eventing and endurance horses were sent a questionnaire and a total of 1101 responses were received, giving data on 1750 horses. The behaviours studied were wood-chewing, weaving, crib-biting/wind-sucking and box-walking. The reported percentage prevalences of abnormal behaviour for the dressage, eventing and endurance horses were 32.5, 30.8 and 19.5, respectively. The relationshi...
Uldahl M, Clayton HM.Information is needed to guide sport administrators in formulating rules for equipment use in competitions. Objective: To seek associations between spurs, bits, nosebands and whips with injuries in horses during competitions in four equestrian sports. Methods: Cross sectional study. Methods: Post competition evaluations were performed in 3143 horse/rider combinations competing in Danish Equestrian Federation competitions in dressage, showjumping, eventing and endurance by trained evaluators who recorded the presence and type of spurs, bits, nosebands, and whips. Further evaluations recorded no...
Kinnunen S, Atalay M, Hyyppu00e4 S, Lehmuskero A, Hu00e4nninen O, Oksala N.Increased oxidative stress during prolonged endurance exercise may end up with muscle damage, fatigue and decreased physical performance. We have recently shown that acute exercise at moderate intensity induced lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) in trained trotters. The aim of this study was to measure the changes in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense following an 80-km ride in the blood of endurance horses. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the ride. Unlike to our previous studies performed on trotters, in enduranc...
Williams CA.Oxidative stress is an imbalance of the oxidant-to-antioxidant ratio in the body. Increases in oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant status have been shown during endurance and intense exercise and eventing competition in horses. Antioxidants include vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and proteins that must be synthesized in the body or obtained from the diet. Therefore, exercise level and diet are both factors that play a role in influencing the oxidative stress and antioxidant status of the equine athlete. Along with exercise intensity and duration, diet, age, and training program can also a...
Ricard A, Robert C, Blouin C, Baste F, Torquet G, Morgenthaler C, Riviu00e8re J, Mach N, Mata X, Schibler L, Barrey E.Endurance horses are able to run at more than 20 km/h for 160 km (in bouts of 30-40 km). This level of performance is based on intense aerobic metabolism, effective body heat dissipation and the ability to endure painful exercise. The known heritabilities of endurance performance and exercise-related physiological traits in Arabian horses suggest that adaptation to extreme endurance exercise is influenced by genetic factors. The objective of the present genome-wide association study (GWAS) was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to endurance racing performance in 597 Ara...
Mach N, Ramayo-Caldas Y, Clark A, Moroldo M, Robert C, Barrey E, Lu00f3pez JM, Le Moyec L.Endurance exercise in horses requires adaptive processes involving physiological, biochemical, and cognitive-behavioral responses in an attempt to regain homeostasis. We hypothesized that the identification of the relationships between blood metabolome, transcriptome, and miRNome during endurance exercise in horses could provide significant insights into the molecular response to endurance exercise. For this reason, the serum metabolome and whole-blood transcriptome and miRNome data were obtained from ten horses before and after a 160 km endurance competition. We obtained a global regulatory ...
Tamzali Y, Marguet C, Priymenko N, Lyazrhi F.Equine gastric ulcers syndrome (EGUS) prevalence studies are rare in the endurance horse and none has been carried out to date in horses competing at high level. Objective: To determine the prevalence of EGUS in high-level endurance horses. Methods: Thirty endurance horses competing at high level were selected and submitted to 2 gastroscopic examinations. The first gastroscopy was performed during the interseason period, and the second during the competition season within 2-3 days following a ride of 90-160 km. Data related to housing, feeding, training system as well as age, breed and gender ...
Witkowska-Piu0142aszewicz O, Grzu0119dzicka J, Seu0144 J, Czopowicz M, u017bmigrodzka M, Winnicka A, Cywiu0144ska A, Carter C.Assuring a high level of animal welfare is a critical aspect of contemporary animal husbandry. Equine athletes begin their careers at a very young age when they are still developing and they are both physically and mentally immature. Lack of scientific knowledge of the stress related to horse racing impedes the development of optimal training programs to attain equilibrium between the best sport results and optimal welfare. This study aimed to determine the influence of the intensity and type of physical activity on peripheral blood cortisol concentration. Thirty untrained Arabians, 9 enduranc...
Muu00f1oz A, Riber C, Trigo P, Casteju00f3n-Riber C, Casteju00f3n FM.Limited information exists concerning the defence of homeostasis during endurance competitions and the relationship with performance. Objective: This research analysed renin (REN), angiotensin II (ANG), aldosterone (ALD) and vasopressin (AVP) in horses covering different distances, assesses differences between successful and eliminated horses and evaluates correlations between hydration status, renal function, electrolytes, REN, ANG, ALD and AVP. Methods: Packed cell volume (PCV), velocity and serum concentrations of REN, ANG, ALD, AVP, Na, K, Cl, Ca, Mg, P, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotra...
Cywiu0144ska A, Szarska E, Gu00f3recka R, Witkowski L, Hecold M, Bereznowski A, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A.Acute phase proteins (APP) have been described as useful for assessing health in human and animal patients, as they closely reflect the acute phase reaction (APR). In humans and dogs a reaction analogous to APR has also been described after prolonged or strenuous exercise. The aim of this study was to determine, if similar reactions occur in endurance horses after limited and long distance rides. Seventeen horses that successfully completed various distance competitions were tested. Routine haematological and biochemical tests were performed and the concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), C-r...
The Journal of nutritionJune 4, 2002
Volume 132, Issue 6 Suppl 2 1622S-7S doi: 10.1093/jn/132.6.1622S
Marlin DJ, Fenn K, Smith N, Deaton CD, Roberts CA, Harris PA, Dunster C, Kelly FJ.Prolonged low-medium intensity exercise is associated with increased oxidative stress in humans. We hypothesized that competitive equine endurance racing would induce changes in circulatory antioxidants and produce systemic oxidative stress. Forty horses competing in a 140-km endurance race in warm conditions [shade temperature 15-19 degrees C; 62-88% relative humidity (%RH)] were sampled before (Pre), immediately after exercise (End) and at approximately 16 h into recovery (+16 h). Plasma ascorbic acid concentration was not different between Pre [11.1 (median); 4.6-20.3 micromol/L (range)] an...
Redaelli V, Luzi F, Mazzola S, Bariffi GD, Zappaterra M, Nanni Costa L, Padalino B.The aim of this pilot study was to document the effects of endurance training at different intensities on heart rate (HR), blood count, serum cortisol, and maximal temperatures of different body locations, namely eye, crown, pastern pasterns, and muscle (, measured by infrared thermography technique (IRT) in horses trained for endurance. Possible associations among the studied parameters were also investigated. Our hypothesis was that temperature, measured by IRT after endurance training of different intensities would vary depending on the intensity and would be positively correlated with HR...
Mills PC, Smith NC, Casas I, Harris P, Harris RC, Marlin DJ.The effects of prolonged variable-intensity and short-term high-intensity exercise on indices of oxidative stress and iron homeostasis were compared in six fit horses under cool [20 degrees C, 40% relative humidity (RH)] or hot/humid (30 degrees C, 80% RH) environmental conditions. The exercise protocols were designed to simulate equine competition, including racing (intense exercise) or the speed and endurance phase of a 3-day event (prolonged exercise). Increased plasma concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides and haemolysate concentrations of oxidised glutathione (GSSG) were measured within 3...
Plancade S, Clark A, Philippe C, Helbling JC, Moisan MP, Esquerru00e9 D, Le Moyec L, Robert C, Barrey E, Mach N.An integrated analysis of gut microbiota, blood biochemical and metabolome in 52 endurance horses was performed. Clustering by gut microbiota revealed the existence of two communities mainly driven by diet as host properties showed little effect. Community 1 presented lower richness and diversity, but higher dominance and rarity of species, including some pathobionts. Moreover, its microbiota composition was tightly linked to host blood metabolites related to lipid metabolism and glycolysis at basal time. Despite the lower fiber intake, community type 1 appeared more specialized to produce ace...
Rivero JL, Serrano AL, Henckel P, Agu00fcera E.Triplicate biopsies from three different depths of the gluteus medius muscle were obtained in 36 endurance-raced horses, aged 8.42 +/- 2.85 yr. Twenty of the horses were considered excellent endurance performers according to the mean speed of their three fastest records in endurance events for the past 2 or 3 years, whereas 16 were moderate performers, with a mean racing speed < 12.5 km/h (in 120- to 180-km endurance rides), < 14 km/h (in 80- to 120-km endurance rides), or < 13.5 km/h (in 40- to 60-km endurance rides). Significant differences in muscle fiber type composition and fiber size wer...
Cywinska A, Gorecka R, Szarska E, Witkowski L, Dziekan P, Schollenberger A.Changes in serum levels of acute phase proteins (APPs) reflect the acute phase reaction, a rapid and nonspecific response to any tissue damage. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the main APP in horses, which increases in various diseases, surgical injuries and after long distance endurance rides; however, this nonspecific parameter has not been investigated as an indicator of subclinical disorders, which may result in elimination during endurance competitions. Objective: To evaluate the serum concentration of SAA as a potential indicator for the status of horses prepared for long distance endurance rid...
Connes P, Bouix D, Durand F, Kippelen P, Mercier J, Prefaut C, Brun JF, Caillaud C.Several studies have suggested that athletes with low hemoglobin saturation during exercise may experience impaired pulmonary blood gas exchange during maximal exercise. Blood viscosity may be implicated in exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in race horses. We hypothesized that blood rheology may contribute to impaired gas exchange and reduced hemoglobin saturation during exercise in humans. A group of 20 highly trained endurance athletes participated in this study, 9 with low hemoglobin saturation during exercise (Low-SpO (2) group) and 11 with normal hemoglobin saturation (High-SpO (2) gr...
Capomaccio S, Cappelli K, Barrey E, Felicetti M, Silvestrelli M, Verini-Supplizi A.It is known that moderate physical activity may have beneficial effects on health, whereas strenuous effort induces a state resembling inflammation. The molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular response to exercise remain unclear, although it is clear that the immune system plays a key role. It has been hypothesized that the physio-pathological condition that develops in athletes subjected to heavy training is caused by derangement of cellular immune regulation. The purpose of the present study was to obtain information on endurance horse gene transcription under strenuous conditions and t...
Cywinska A, Witkowski L, Szarska E, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A.Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the major acute phase protein in horses. Its concentration increases in various pathologies but also in response to prolonged, strenuous effort. The purpose of this study was to establish whether routine race and endurance training produces changes in the SAA level in Arabian horses. Additionally, the differences between SAA response in experienced endurance horses and endurance horses that were beginning their career were investigated. Results: There were no changes in SAA concentrations after race training and endurance training in experienced horses. In horses that ...
Barrey E, Mucher E, Robert C, Amiot F, Gidrol X.Genomics using cDNA microarrays could provide useful information about physiological adaptations and metabolic disorders in endurance horses. Objective: In order to show that genes are modulated in leucocytes in relationship with performance and clinical status of the horses, gene expression in leucocytes, haematological and biochemical parameters were compared between successful and disqualified endurance horses. Methods: Blood samples were collected at rest (TO) and just after a 140-160 km endurance race (T1) in 2 groups of horses: 10 continuing successful (S) and 10 disqualified horses stop...
Le Moyec L, Robert C, Triba MN, Billat VL, Mata X, Schibler L, Barrey E.During long distance endurance races, horses undergo high physiological and metabolic stresses. The adaptation processes involve the modulation of the energetic pathways in order to meet the energy demand. The aims were to evaluate the effects of long endurance exercise on the plasma metabolomic profiles and to investigate the relationships with the individual horse performances. The metabolomic profiles of the horses were analyzed using the non-dedicated methodology, NMR spectroscopy and statistical multivariate analysis. The advantage of this method is to investigate several metabolomic path...
Farris JW, Hinchcliff KW, McKeever KH, Lamb DR, Thompson DL.We hypothesized that central fatigue may have a role in limiting the endurance capacity of horses. Therefore, we tested the effect of infusing tryptophan and/or glucose on endurance time and plasma concentrations of free tryptophan and other substrates thought to affect tryptophan uptake into the brain of seven mares (3-4 yr of age, 353-435 kg) that ran on a treadmill at 50% of maximal O2 consumption to fatigue. With use of a counterbalanced crossover design, the horses were infused with tryptophan (100 mg/kg in saline solution) or a similar volume of saline solution (placebo) before exercise....
Nagy A, Murray JK, Dyson SJ.There is limited information on international endurance rides and on risk factors for eliminations. Objective: To describe and compare the frequency of occurrence of elimination due to lameness and metabolic reasons from Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance rides (≥100 km) during 2008-2011 in all countries and to assess risk factors for elimination due to lameness and metabolic reasons. Methods: Retrospective unmatched case-control study. Methods: Data collected from the FEI website included the following: the country where the ride was held; the year; the result for each hor...
Votion DM, Fraipont A, Goachet AG, Robert C, van Erck E, Amory H, Ceusters J, de la Rebiu00e8re de Pouyade G, Franck T, Mouithys-Mickalad A....Limited information exists about the muscle mitochondrial respiratory function changes that occur in horses during an endurance season. Objective: To determine effects of training and racing on muscle oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and electron transport system (ETS) capacities in horses with high resolution respirometry (HRR). Methods: Mitochondrial respiration was measured in microbiopsies taken from the triceps brachii (tb) and gluteus medius (gm) muscles in 8 endurance horses (7 purebred Arabians and 1 crossbred Arabian) before training (T0), after two 10 week training periods (T1, T2)...
Nieto JE, Snyder JR, Beldomenico P, Aleman M, Kerr JW, Spier SJ.Gastric endoscopy was performed at the end of a 50 or 80 km endurance ride. Gastric ulceration was evident in 67% of the horses with ulcers on the squamous region of the stomach found in 57% of the horses and active bleeding of the glandular mucosa in 27%. Three horses (10%) had lesions only on the glandular mucosa. Values of albumin, creatinine and glucose were higher in horses without gastric lesions. We conclude that horses from endurance competitions have a high prevalence of gastric ulceration that is similar to that observed in performance horses. However the severity of ulceration is le...
Marlin DJ, Scott CM, Schroter RC, Mills PC, Harris RC, Harris PA, Orme CE, Roberts CA, Marr CM, Dyson SJ, Barrelet F.The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different environmental conditions on physiological response to exercise. Four winter acclimatised, nonheat acclimated horses of different breeds were exercised at 20 degrees C/40% RH (CD), 30 degrees C/40% RH (HD) and 30 degrees C/80% RH (HH). The exercise test was designed to represent the structure and intensity of a One star Speed and Endurance test (competition exercise test [CET]). All 4 horses were able to complete the full CET (60 min + 30 min active recovery) in CD and HD, but only one horse completed the CET in HH. Two horse...