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Topic:Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are essential components of equine nutrition, serving as important sources of energy and playing a role in various physiological processes. They are categorized into saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, with the latter further divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In horses, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are of particular interest due to their involvement in inflammatory pathways and cell membrane integrity. These fatty acids can be obtained from dietary sources such as forage, grains, and supplements. Research investigates their impact on equine metabolism, performance, and overall health. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the dietary sources, metabolic roles, and potential health implications of fatty acids in horses.
Airway Lipid Mediators in Horses: Baseline Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Profiles and Effects of EPA and DHA-rich Microalgae Oil Supplementation. We investigated how dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affect airway inflammation, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) lipid mediators and red blood cell fatty acids in horses. Increased BALF neutrophils are a hallmark of airway inflammation, commonly associated with equine asthma. The long-chain n-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA are essential nutrients and precursors of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that regulate inflammatory responses. In this prospective field trial, we assigned horses to three diets, including...
Meat Quality Characteristics of Mongolian Horses in Inner Mongolia: Regional Superiority and Transcriptomic Insights into Tenderness Differences Between Muscular Locations. Horse meat is a high-quality protein source. A total of 50 two-year-old male horses with similar body weights (300 ± 50 kg) were used: 30 for regional comparison (10 each from Bulgan province region of Mongolia (BPM), Tuv province region of Mongolia (TPM), and Inner Mongolia region of China (IMC)) and an additional 20 from the IMC region for muscle-site analysis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying regional and muscle-site differences in the meat quality of Mongolian horses, with particular emphasis on tenderness, this study analyzed chemical composition, minerals, fatty acids, a...
Integrative Metabolomic and Echocardiographic Profiling Reveals Metabolic-Cardiac Structural Coupling in Yili Horses During Incremental Exercise. This study integrated echocardiography with widely targeted metabolomics to decipher how plasma metabolic dynamics couple with cardiac geometry in Yili horses during incremental treadmill exercise. Nine speed-type horses underwent a graded exercise test (6% incline; 0 to 9 m/s). Jugular venous blood samples collected at rest (0 m/s) and at 3, 5, 7, and 9 m/s were profiled by LC-MS, and Pearson correlation analysis was applied to relate differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) to twenty echocardiographic structural indices. A core set of 314 shared DEMs (124 upregulated, 190 downregulated) w...
The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Horses’ Nutrition-A Review. This narrative review presents examples of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in horse nutrition. Fats are essential in equine nutrition, serving not only as an energy source but also as functional components influencing health. Among them, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly EPA and DHA, play a key role in modulating inflammatory and metabolic processes. This review summarizes their effects on respiratory health, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), musculoskeletal function, reproduction, and early development. Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to support airway inflam...
Oral docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters alveolar macrophage metabolism and protein and lipid profiles in the lower airway of healthy horses. To determine the impact of a commercially available docosahexaeonic acid (DHA) supplement (DHA, methylslfonylmethane, and mushroom blend) on equine alveolar macrophage metabolism and lipid and protein profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant. Unassigned: This was a prospective, sequential, placebo-controlled study using 10 healthy adult horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected at baseline, following 45 days of oral placebo administration, and following 45 days of oral commercially available DHA supplement, with a 14-day washout. Whole blood was collected following placebo...
Milk productivity of mares. To determine the milk productivity of Kazakh horses of the Adai region in variants of selection and technological indicators of milk for the production of cumus in the conditions of the Mangyshlak peninsula of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The object of the study was the Kazakh horse of the Adai intra-breed type at "Taushyk" LLP (Tupkaragan District, Mangystau Region). Mares with a more pronounced milk production were selected and analyzed . they have investigated the quality of milk for further processing. A characteristic feature of the dynamics of milk sugar content during lactation has been ...
Comparative Morphological and Proteomic Characterization of Adipose Tissues from Different Anatomical Sites in Yili Horses. Adipose tissue functions not only as a primary energy reservoir but also as a metabolically active endocrine organ. However, the morphological and molecular differences among adipose depots from different anatomical sites in Yili horses remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the morphological characteristics and proteomic profiles of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PCAT). To this end, adipose tissue samples from 18 Yili horses were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, while a subset of samples from 6 horses was subjected to proteomic a...
Biomarkers of Adipose Color: A Multi-Omics Analysis Unravels the Molecular Landscape of White and Yellow Fat in Kazakh Horse. Fat color is one of the most important economic traits influencing consumer preference and the market value of meat products. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying abdominal adipose tissue color differentiation in the Kazakh horse, this study employed a multi-omics strategy, integrating targeted metabolomics (fatty acid and amino acid profiling), untargeted metabolomics, and transcriptomic analyses. Two types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT, = 8) and yellow adipose tissue (YAT, = 8), were selected for systematic comparative analysis. Fatty acid composition analysis reve...
Analysis of lipid mediator profiles in the blood of horses with equine asthma using UPLC-MS/MS. Equine asthma (EA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract in horses, which is mainly triggered by dusty hay. EA is becoming increasingly acknowledged as a valuable animal model for studying human asthma. Research on the pathogenesis of EA has primarily focused on the associated cells and cytokines involved. However, the role of inflammation-related lipid mediators (LM) in the development and progression of equine asthma remains elusive. LMs are categorized into pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (AA)-derived leukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandins (PGs), as well as infla...
Integrated targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals heterogeneity of subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissues in Yili horses. Fat deposition is a key economic trait in livestock, yet distinct adipose depots often display marked functional heterogeneity. The molecular basis underlying this divergence in Yili horses, however, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that the heterogeneity in fatty acid composition between subcutaneous (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissues (PCAT) in Yili horses is associated with distinct transcriptional programs, which can be explored using an integrated multi-omics approach. Using targeted metabolomics, we found that PCAT contained significantly higher levels of total, sa...
Impact of dietary essential fatty acids on phospholipid composition and mitochondrial function in aged mares. Advancing age is associated with a decline in fertility and functional capacity, which may result in part from suboptimal nutrition and impaired mitochondrial function. Dietary essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are broadly recommended to mitigate weight loss and reduce risk of chronic disease in aged populations, but their effects on mitochondrial function are less clear. The present study investigated the impacts of dietary supplementation with essential omega-3 PUFA (flaxseed oil; N3) or omega-6 PUFA (corn oil, N6) on blood, muscle and follicular cell fatty acid composition and mi...
The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) in Colic and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways in Horses. Equine colic remains a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition with multifactorial origins, including dietary imbalances, stress, and microbial dysbiosis. Central to equine gut health is the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, generated through microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the hindgut. These metabolites not only serve as vital energy sources but also play crucial roles in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, modulating motility, and suppressing inflammation. This review explores the role of SCFAs in equine...
Lipid-rich abdominal fluid mimicking chyloabdomen in a horse. We report here a case of lipid-rich abdominal fluid in a 31-y-old Arabian gelding with acute colic. Abdominocentesis yielded opaque, yellow-to-orange peritoneal fluid with an elevated triglyceride concentration (42 g/L, RI: <0.10 g/L; fluid:serum triglyceride ratio 11.4, RI: <1.0). A second abdominocentesis performed 3 d later revealed clear fluid, suggesting transient chyloabdomen. Despite medical management, the horse developed respiratory distress secondary to pharyngeal edema and was euthanized. Autopsy identified a large omental lipoma and severe ulcerative gastritis, but no eff...
Obesity-Associated Metabolomic and Functional Reprogramming in Neutrophils from Horses with Asthma. Equine asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by neutrophilic inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and impaired pulmonary function. Obesity, increasingly prevalent among domestic horses, has been identified as a potential risk factor for exacerbating inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to explore whether obesity modifies neutrophil metabolism and inflammatory responses in horses affected by asthma. Six asthmatic horses in clinical remission were categorised into two groups: obese and non-obese, based on body condition score. Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) an...
Meat Production Potential of Local Horse Breeds: Sustainable Conservation Through Valorization. Local horse breeds, particularly cold-blood types, are often marginalized in economic and social contexts, primarily due to the neglect of their economic, genetic, and cultural potential, as well as their role in preserving the identity of rural areas, local communities, and ecosystems. The valorization of these breeds is a crucial prerequisite for their economic repositioning. The Croatian Posavina horse is a local breed, well adapted to harsh, extensive production systems. Its sustainability is achieved through pasture-based meat production, primarily targeting foreign European markets. Ensu...
The Effects of the Lactation Period, Mare Age, and Foaling on the Chemical and Physical Composition of Milk from Kazakh Mares Kept Under Natural Pasture Conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of milk from Kazakh mares kept under free-grazing conditions on natural pasture without supplementary feeding. Fifty Kazakh mares were aged 3 to 13 years, kept in herds, and categorized by age, number of foalings, and lactation stage for statistical analysis. Milk samples were collected, chilled, and analyzed on the same day using a Milkoscan FT2. The composition of fat, protein, lactose, total solids, casein, and other components was examined. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, PCA, CDA, and Pearson correlation analysis, were performed...
Metabolic heterogeneity exists across equine distal limb tendons and ligaments in healthy, metabolically normal horses. To (1) identify tissue-specific metabolic profiles of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and suspensory ligament (SL) and (2) evaluate metabolic profile differences in the SDFT, DDFT, and SL between the equine forelimb and hindlimb. Unassigned: 2 SDFT, DDFT, and SL specimens were collected from the forelimbs and hindlimbs of 10 horses of mixed breed, age, and sex that were euthanized for other reasons. One specimen was processed for histology to confirm that there were no underlying soft-tissue pathologies. One specimen was processed for 2 forms of...
The proteomic differences and expression of fatty acid-binding protein 6 (FABP6) associated with gastrointestinal injury in horses with oral administration of a clinical dose of phenylbutazone. Phenylbutazone (PBZ) can potentially induce gastrointestinal ulceration, and early detection of PBZ-induced gastroenteropathy will be useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PBZ toxicity. Objective: To identify putative proteins associated with equine gastric ulcer syndrome after clinical dose (4.4 mg/kg) administration of PBZ by proteomic study. Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Proteomic analysis using LC-MS/MS compared protein expression in serum and faeces of seven PBZ-treated horses with seven placebo-treated controls, and a novel putative biomarker was validated via...
Lipidomics and biochemical profiling of adult Yili horses in a 26 km endurance race: exploring metabolic adaptations. The equine lipid metabolism is activated during and after endurance exercise to provide energy in response to the metabolic and physiological changes in the body caused by prolonged exercise; however, the specific regulatory mechanisms remain controversial and identifying differential lipid metabolites associated with equine endurance is essential to elucidate these regulatory mechanisms. In this study, blood samples for lipid metabolomic analysis and biochemical indices were collected before and after a 26 km race from 12 Yili horses with different endurance performance. The biochemical res...
The effects of a plant-based and a plant- and marine-based n-3 oil supplement on behavioural reactivity, heart rate variability, and plasma fatty acid profile in young healthy horses. Behavioural reactivity in horses poses a welfare and safety risk to both the horse and the handler, however, beneficial effects have been observed when dietary fat is increased in replacement of sugar. Supplementation with the fatty acids (FA) eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) appear to improve negative behaviours in rodents and humans, but the effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA), EPA, and DHA, specifically, on reactivity in horses is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of camelina oil (CAM; ALA-enriched) and a mix of camelina and algal oil (ALG; ...
Regulatory Mechanisms of Yili Horses During an 80 km Race Based on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analyses. Equine endurance exercise induces physiological changes that alter metabolism and molecular pathways to maintain balance after intense physical activity. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms remain under debate. Identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential metabolites (DMs) associated with equine endurance is essential for elucidating these regulatory mechanisms. This study collected blood samples from six Yili horses before and after an 80 km race and conducted transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses, yielding 722 DEGs and 256 DMs. These DEGs were primarily enri...
Inhibitor Action of Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Equine Serum Butyrylcholinesterase. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; EC 3.1.1.8), a serine hydrolase found in various tissues, hydrolyses choline esters such as acetylcholine and succinylcholine, as well as other esters such as heroin and acetylsalicylic acid. It is considered to play a role in lipid metabolism as it belongs to the same enzyme group as lipases and its catalytic subunits are similar. In this study, the effects of unsaturated fatty acids, namely arachidonic (AA), linoleic (LA), alpha-linolenic (ALA) and oleic acid (OA), on equine serum BChE (EqBChE) were investigated. Enzyme activity was measured by the modified Ellma...
Strategic approaches to improve equine breeding and stud farm outcomes. This review explores advanced strategies for enhancing fertility and optimizing reproductive outcomes in equine breeding programs. Horses, being seasonal breeders, present unique reproductive challenges influenced by environmental and physiological factors such as photoperiods, hormone cycles, and aging. Key approaches discussed include hormonal therapies, artificial light manipulation, and nutritional supplementation to improve ovulation and conception rates during the breeding season. Specific hormones such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, equine follicle-stimulating hormone, and p...
The effect of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on skin fatty acid profile and immune and inflammatory responses in healthy adult horses. Camelina sativa is an oilseed crop rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), an n-3 fatty acid (FA), and is resistant to harsh climates and pests. Previously, supplementation with camelina oil (CAM) in horses had no adverse effects on basic health parameters and had comparable skin and coat parameters as both flaxseed oil (FLX) and canola oil (OLA). Further, the plasma FA profile of horses was reflective of their respective treatment oil. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary CAM supplementation on skin FA profile, immune, and inflammatory responses as compared to two commonl...
The Role of Nutrition in Managing Muscle Disorders. Many myopathies in horses can be managed by exercise regimes and dietary modifications. This includes modifying the amount of nonstructural carbohydrate, fat, amino acids, vitamin E, and selenium based on the horse's specific myopathy, metabolic status, exercise program, and optimal body weight. Because dietary recommendations differ substantially between myopathies, it is imperative to establish a specific diagnosis. A nutritionist will help practitioners select from the myriad of offered products to ensure a balanced diet. This article provides detailed recommendations for a variety of myopa...
Antioxidant capacity and athletic condition of endurance horses undergoing nutraceutical supplementation. Endurance is an equestrian discipline that primarily relies on aerobic metabolism. Intense aerobic exercise produces reactive oxygen species due to an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant substances, known as oxidative stress, which may reduce athletic performance. This study evaluated the effects of a feed supplement containing natural antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids on the blood antioxidant activity and the athletic condition of endurance horses undergoing an exercise test. Twelve Arabian endurance horses were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. At T0, blood lactate, ...
Dynamic Adaptation of Hematological Parameters, Albumin, and Non-Esterified Fatty Acids in Saddlebred and Standardbred Horses During Exercise. The response to exercise following a rest period may vary among horse breeds based on the importance of the hematological and hematochemical profiles of athletic horses. Ten Standardbred and ten Italian Saddlebred mares were subjected to a 4-week training program after a seasonal rest, and hematological parameters (red blood cells-RBCs; hemoglobin-Hb; hematocrit-Hct; platelets-PLTs; platelet aggregation-AG; aggregation slope-Slope; fibrinogen-Fb), as well as Albumin (Alb) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), were analyzed. Blood samples were obtained each week during the training program fo...
Is Butyrate Concentration in the Equine Gastrointestinal Tract Altered During and After Surgery for Treatment of Large Colon Obstruction? A major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses with large colon obstructive lesions is injury to the colonic mucosal barrier from ischemic injury. Since butyrate has been shown to play a critical role in the maintenance of a healthy mucosal barrier, it may play a role in the recovery process. This study's objective was to determine whether the differences in butyrate concentrations existed between horses with surgical large colon obstructive lesions and healthy horses both during and after surgery. Eleven horses presenting with surgical colic lesions were enrolled; colonic samples were acq...
Overexpression of the key metabolic protein Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase 1A (CPT1A) in equine sarcoid. The equine sarcoid is the most common skin neoplasia of fibroblastic origin in horses, characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix produced by sarcoid fibroblasts under hypoxic condition. Neoplastic cells can adapt to hypoxia by using alternative energy sources, particularly those that arise from fatty acid oxidation (FAO). The Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase 1A (CPT1A) belongs to Carnitine System (CS) and promotes the entrance of fatty acids into the mitochondria for β-oxidation. In this study, CPT1A expression was comparatively addressed in 25 equine sarcoids and 5 no...
The effect of the fat to starch ratio in young horses’ diet on plasma metabolites, muscle endurance and fear responses. High-starch diets may affect equine hindgut microbiota and increase blood glucose levels, which may cause unwanted physiological changes, but may also elicit behavioural changes such as increased fear reactions. The purpose of the current study was to feed a high starch (300) and low fat (43; HS_LF) or a low starch (60) and high fat (85; LS_HF, g/kg of DM) concentrate within the available commercial range and investigate how muscle endurance and fear reactions of horses respond to different diets. Twenty Danish Warmblood stallions (4 years) were randomly allocated to two treatments: LS_HF (n...
