Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in various physiological processes in horses. It is involved in collagen synthesis, antioxidant defense, and the maintenance of connective tissues. Horses can synthesize vitamin C in their liver, which generally meets their daily requirements under normal conditions. However, factors such as stress, illness, or intense exercise may impact the body's ability to produce sufficient amounts, potentially necessitating dietary supplementation. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the metabolism, function, and potential supplementation of vitamin C in equine health.
Sidhu GS, Brown MA, Johnson AR.Factors contributing to the initiation of lipid oxidation in cow's and mare's milk containing high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied. Addition of H2O2 just after milking, in slight excess of the stoichiometric amounts required to destroy ascorbic acid, delayed the development of oxidized flavours in cow's milk high in linoleic acid. Hydrogen peroxide treatment followed by the addition of alpha-or gamma-tocopherols prevented lipid oxidation in cow's milk even when 0.1 mg Cu/l milk was added. When used separately in the presence of Cu these treatments were ineffective as was but...
HOLMES AD, JONES CP.Fifteen samples of mares' milk with initial potencies of from 86 mg to 161 mg of reduced ascorbic acid per liter were stored in the dark at 10°C. They were assayed at daily or longer intervals. Four samples observed for 10 days lost an average of 2.5 mg per liter daily; 4 samples stored 20 days lost 1.8 mg per day; 2 stored 28 days lost 1.3 mg daily; and 3 observed for 33 days lost 1.1 mg per liter per day. These data show that the rate of loss of reduced ascorbic acid from mares' milk is only a fraction of the rate of loss from cows' milk.
HOLMES AD, JONES CP.Fifteen samples of mares' milk with initial potencies of from 86 mg to 161 mg of reduced ascorbic acid per liter were stored in the dark at 10°C. They were assayed at daily or longer intervals. Four samples observed for 10 days lost an average of 2.5 mg per liter daily; 4 samples stored 20 days lost 1.8 mg per day; 2 stored 28 days lost 1.3 mg daily; and 3 observed for 33 days lost 1.1 mg per liter per day. These data show that the rate of loss of reduced ascorbic acid from mares' milk is only a fraction of the rate of loss from cows' milk.
Dias DP, Teixeira LG, Canola PA, Albernaz RM, Marques JA, Neto JC.The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate surgical catheter implantation in the facial artery of horses and the long-term maintenance of such arteries using heparin and ascorbic acid as filling solution. Nine horses were implanted with a polyurethane catheter. The catheters were flushed with a heparin/ascorbic acid solution every 8h and remained patent for 25 days. Arterial blood samples were collected twice a day, and one exercise test that included serial blood samples and arterial pressure recordings was performed on a treadmill. Polyurethane catheters surgically implanted in the fa...
McConnico RS, Brownie CF.Two horses with red maple (Acer rubrum) toxicity responded to treatment with high doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), in addition to blood transfusions, and intravenous fluid therapy. The clinical course included Heinz body anemia, marked methemoglobinemia, depression, and evidence of severe tissue anoxia. Clinical recovery was dramatic with stabilization achieved 36 hours following the initiation of ascorbic acid therapy.
Servetnik-Chalaia GK, Mal'tseva LM.It was shown that the content of vitamins E, C, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin in mare's milk and kumyss varies depending on the season. The highest level of vitamins E, C and niacin was noted in May-June. The technological processing of mare's milk leads to the decreased content of vitamin C and niacin. Mare's milk and kumyss were found to contain dehydroascorbic acid in a considerable amount, especially in summer.
Sidhu GS, Brown MA, Johnson AR.Factors contributing to the initiation of lipid oxidation in cow's and mare's milk containing high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied. Addition of H2O2 just after milking, in slight excess of the stoichiometric amounts required to destroy ascorbic acid, delayed the development of oxidized flavours in cow's milk high in linoleic acid. Hydrogen peroxide treatment followed by the addition of alpha-or gamma-tocopherols prevented lipid oxidation in cow's milk even when 0.1 mg Cu/l milk was added. When used separately in the presence of Cu these treatments were ineffective as was but...
Inoue OJ, Freeman DE, Wallig M.To study effects of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) on equine colonic mucosa in vitro, and determine whether addition of ascorbic acid protects against the effects. Methods: 6 healthy horses and ponies. Methods: Short-circuit current was measured in mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers. Incubation conditions were: control (no additions); 5 mM HOCl; 1 mM HOCl; same and 5 mM ascorbic acid; 3 mM HOCl; 3 mM HOCl and 5 mM ascorbic acid; 7 mM HOCl; and 7 mM HOCl plus 5 mM ascorbic acid. Permeability was measured with [3H]mannitol and, at the conclusion of each experiment, tissues were examined microscopically...
Wawrzeńska M.In this paper, the effect of ascorbic acid on motoric activity of the intestines of rabbits, pigs, cows, sheep and horses has been determined, and a possible participation of the adrenogenic system in this mechanism has been shown. In experiments in vitro the motility of the duodeum, jejunum, caecum and colon in the animals mentioned abowe was recorded by the method of Magnus after administration of ascorbic acid. Diastolic reactions were observed in all animals, which were much greater in small intestines than in large ones. To elucidate the diastolic mechanism under the influence of ascorbic...
Corradini I, Georges K, Jose-Cunilleras E.To determine the effects of time after sampling on CO-oximetry measurements of equine blood samples and the effects of adding ascorbic acid (AscAc) and methylene blue (MetBlue) to samples with methemoglobinemia. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Thirty healthy adult horses assigned to 5 groups. Methods: Repeated CO-oximetry determinations were performed on venous (n = 6) and arterial blood samples (n = 7) stored at 0°C for 48 hours. Methemoglobinemia was induced in vitro in 17 additional blood samples. Six were used as untreated controls, 6 had ...
Deaton CM, Marlin DJ, Smith NC, Roberts CA, Harris PA, Kelly FJ, Schroter RC.Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a non-enzymatic antioxidant important in protecting the lung against oxidative damage and is decreased in lung lining fluid of horses with airway inflammation. To examine possible therapeutic regimens in a species with ascorbate-synthesising capacity, we studied the effects of oral supplementation of two forms of ascorbic acid, (each equivalent to 20 mg ascorbic acid per kg body weight) on the pulmonary and systemic antioxidant status of six healthy ponies in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Two weeks supplementation with ascorbyl palmitate significantly increased mean...
Orzołek A, Rafalska KT, Domosławska-Wyderska A, Rafalska AM, Dziekońska A, Jastrzębska E, Dobbek D.The aim of the study was to assess the impact of solarium light therapy on selected biological and biochemical parameters of peripheral blood in recreational horses. The study involved 10 horses divided into two groups of young (aged 5 to 7 years) and old (aged 14 to 19 years) individuals. All animals participated in light therapy sessions every other day. Blood was sampled three times during the study: before the treatment, after five light sessions, and after ten light sessions. Morphological parameters, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, TAS values, and the levels of glutathione (GSH), vi...
Blanco-Doval A, Barron LJR, Bustamante MÁ, Aldai N.Mare milk has often been considered a food product with potential functional properties. However, the bioactive compound composition of mare milk, including vitamins and other minor bioactive compounds, as well as factors affecting this composition have scarcely been studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the changes during lactation in the content of water- and fat-soluble vitamins and total polyphenols, and the total antioxidant capacity of mare milk from semi-extensive farms. A total of 310 individual milk samples from 18 mares belonging to three commercial farms and 12...
