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Scientific reports2024; 14(1); 2139; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52188-z

A metabolomics perspective on 2 years of high-intensity training in horses.

Abstract: The plasma metabolomic profile of elite harness horses subjected to different training programmes was explored. All horses had the same training programme from 1.5 until 2 years of age and then high-intensity training was introduced, with horses divided into high and low training groups. Morning blood samples were collected at 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3.5 years of age. The plasma was analysed using targeted absolute quantitative analysis and a combination of tandem mass spectrometry, flow-injection analysis and liquid chromatography. Differences between the two training groups were observed at 2 years of age, when 161 metabolites and sums and ratios were lower (e.g. ceramide and several triglycerides) and 51 were higher (e.g. aconitic acid, anserine, sum of PUFA cholesteryl esters and solely ketogenic AAs) in High compared with low horses. The metabolites aconitic acid, anserine, leucine, HArg synthesis and sum of solely ketogenic AAs increased over time, while beta alanine synthesis, ceramides and indole decreased. Therefore high-intensity training promoted adaptations linked to aerobic energy production and amino acid metabolism, and potentially also affected pH-buffering and vascular and insulin responses.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-01-25 PubMed ID: 38273017PubMed Central: PMC10810775DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52188-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research analysed the effect of high-intensity training on the metabolism of elite harness horses, with observed variations in their plasma metabolomic profiles. It concluded that this type of training could promote adaptations related to aerobic energy production, amino acid metabolism, and potentially impact pH-buffering and vascular and insulin responses.

Methodology:

  • All horses underwent the same training programme until they were 2 years old, at which point they were divided into groups receiving high-intensity and low-intensity training.
  • Blood samples were collected in the morning when the horses were 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3.5 years old.
  • These samples were analysed using a combination of targeted absolute quantitative analysis, tandem mass spectrometry, flow-injection analysis and liquid chromatography. These are all advanced techniques used frequently in biochemical analyses to identify and quantify the components of a sample.

Findings:

  • The researchers noticed differences between the high-intensity and low-intensity training groups when the horses were 2 years old.
  • In the high-intensity group, 161 metabolites along with some sums and ratios were lower (including ceramide and several triglycerides), while 51 were higher (such as aconitic acid, anserine, sum of PUFA cholesteryl esters and only ketogenic AAs).
  • The intensity of the training seemed to be a definitive factor affecting the metabolic adaptations, impacting the levels of aconitic acid, anserine, leucine, HArg synthesis, and sum of solely ketogenic AAs as they showed an increased trend over time.
  • Concurrently, the study found a decrease in beta alanine synthesis, ceramides, and indole over time.

Conclusion:

  • High-intensity training appeared to stimulate adaptations associated with aerobic energy production and amino acid metabolism. This is important as it suggests a potential route through which sport and fitness professionals could optimize athletic performance in horses and potentially extrapolate similar regimen for human athletes.
  • Moreover, the training also seemed to impact pH-buffering capability, vascular reactions, and insulin responses of the horses. These effects could have long-term implications for horse health and are thus, important findings to consider in designing future training programs.
  • Finally, the observed impact of high-intensity training on the metabolic profile of these horses provides an important contribution to our understanding of equine metabolic responses to exercise intensity. These findings could be crucial for improving horse performance, well-being, and overall lifespan.

Cite This Article

APA
Johansson L, Ringmark S, Bergquist J, Skiöldebrand E, Jansson A. (2024). A metabolomics perspective on 2 years of high-intensity training in horses. Sci Rep, 14(1), 2139. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52188-z

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 2139
PII: 2139

Researcher Affiliations

Johansson, L
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7011, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
Ringmark, S
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7011, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
Bergquist, J
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7011, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Department of Chemistry-BMC, Analytical Chemistry and Neurochemistry, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 599, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
Skiöldebrand, E
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
Jansson, A
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7011, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. anna.jansson@slu.se.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Anserine
  • Aconitic Acid
  • Metabolomics / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Leucine

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Nilsson E, Moazzami AA, Lindberg JE, Jansson A. The metabolomic profile of a high starch versus no starch diet in athletic horses. Sci Rep 2025 Oct 13;15(1):35576.
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