A comparison of the ultrastructure and metabolic response of the skeletal muscle of horses performing intense treadmill exercise at 20 and 35 degrees C.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether the metabolic response and ultrastructure of muscle differed when horses performed intense exercise at different ambient temperatures. Four Standardbred geldings performed treadmill exercise, including an intensive trot of 2600 m on two different occasions, either at a high ambient temperature of 35 degrees C or at a temperature of 20 degrees C. The horses had a warm-up period of 23.5 min of submaximal exercise, followed by 2 h of box rest before the intensive exercise. Muscle biopsy data of adenine nucleotides, creatine phosphate, lactate and glycogen concentrations measured before the warm-up period were similar to those measured before the period of intensive exercise. Muscle lactate concentrations did not differ between the two temperatures, but increased significantly after intense exercise to levels of 34.7 +/- 8.3 mmol/kg d.w. at 20 degrees C, and to 41.7 +/- 12.5 mmol/kg d.w. at 35 degrees C. Muscle glycogen and creatine phosphate concentrations did not differ between the two ambient temperatures, but decreased significantly by 122 +/- 82 mmol/kg d.w. and 25.2 +/- 17.4 mmol/kg d.w., respectively, after the intensive exercise. No changes were seen in adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate concentrations. The muscle biopsies were investigated by electron microscopy, and showed no marked changes in the ultrastructure of the muscle due to exercise at the two different ambient temperatures. In conclusion, no marked changes were seen in the muscle metabolic response or in the ultrastructure of the muscle when the horses performed intense exercise at 35 degrees C compared to 20 degrees C.
Publication Date: 1999-07-10 PubMed ID: 10399479DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00204.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article studies the effect of different ambient temperatures on the muscular metabolic response and structure in horses during intense exercise. The findings showed no significant changes in muscle metabolism or structure when intense exercise was carried out at 35 degrees C compared to 20 degrees C.
Research Method
- The research involved four Standardbred geldings (castrated male horses) who were put through treadmill exercise sessions. The intensive exercise included a trot of 2600 m.
- This exercise was performed under two different ambient temperature conditions, 20 degrees C and 35 degrees C.
- Before the intensive exercise, the horses underwent a warm-up session of submaximal exercise for 23.5 minutes, followed by a resting period of 2 hours.
- Muscle biopsies were carried out before the warm-up and just before the intensive exercise for data collection.
Metabolic and Ultrastructural Response
- The study assessed multiple elements of the horse’s muscle physiology, including adenine nucleotides, creatine phosphate, lactate, and glycogen concentrations. These measurements did not show any significant differences when compared before the intensive exercise and before the warm-up session.
- Muscle lactate concentrations, a marker of muscle fatigue and exertion, increased significantly after intense exercise but did not differ notably between the two temperature settings.
- Muscle glycogen and creatine phosphate concentrations, essential energy reserves, did not change with the variation in temperature conditions but dropped significantly after the intensive workout.
- No observable changes were noted in adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine monophosphate concentrations. These compounds are involved in energy transfer within the cell.
- Electron microscopy of the muscle biopsies showed no noticeable changes in the muscle’s ultrastructure due to exercise at two different ambient temperatures.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that intense exercise at higher temperatures (35 degrees C) did not result in remarkable changes in the metabolic response or the ultrastructure of horse muscle compared to the same exercise performed at a lower temperature (20 degrees C).
- This might suggest that the horses’ muscles are able to adapt and respond similarly to intense exercise in different ambient temperatures.
Cite This Article
APA
Gottlieb-Vedi M, Essén-Gustavsson B, Thornell LE, Lindholm A.
(1999).
A comparison of the ultrastructure and metabolic response of the skeletal muscle of horses performing intense treadmill exercise at 20 and 35 degrees C.
Zentralbl Veterinarmed A, 46(4), 209-218.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00204.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Large Animal Surgery, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy, Needle / veterinary
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Hot Temperature
- Male
- Microscopy, Electron / veterinary
- Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
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