Assessment of Gender Effects and Reference Values of Mane Hair Trace Element Content in English Thoroughbred Horses (North Caucasus, Russia) Using ICP-DRC-MS.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was assessment of gender differences in hair trace element content in English Thoroughbred horses (North Caucasus, Russia) using ICP-DRC-MS and calculation of the reference values. Trace element content in mane hair of 190 stallions and 94 mares (3-7 years old) bred in North Caucasus (Russia) was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mane hair Co, Cr, Mn, Li, Si, and Sr levels in mares exceeded those in stallions by 77%, 63%, 64%, 42%, 39%, and 64%, respectively. Hair Fe and Si content was nearly twofold higher in female horses as compared to the males. Only hair Zn content was 5% higher in stallions as compared to mares. In addition, mares were characterized by 63%, 65%, 29%, and 40% higher levels of As, Pb, Sn, and Ni levels in hair as compared to the respective values in stallions. In turn, hair Al and Hg were more than twofold higher in mares than in stallions. The reference intervals of mane hair content (μg/g) for Co (0.006-0.143), Cr (0.028-0.551), Cu (4.17-6.84), Fe (10.11-442.2), I (0.026-3.69), Mn (0.551-12.55), Se (0.108-0.714), Zn (97.43-167), Li (0.011-0.709), Ni (0.060-0.589), Si (0.665-29.12), V (0.006-0.584), Al (1.98-168.5), As (0.006-0.127), Cd (0.002-0.033), B (0.494-16.13), Pb (0.018-0.436), Sn (0.002-0.144), Sr (1.0-9.46), and Hg (0.0018-0.017) in the total cohort of horses were estimated using the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standard Guidelines. The reference intervals were also estimated for stallions and mares bred in North Caucasus (Russia) and may be used for interpretation of the results of hair trace element analysis in horses.
Publication Date: 2019-01-11 PubMed ID: 30635847DOI: 10.1007/s12011-019-1634-9Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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.
The research study examined the presence of various trace elements in the hair of English Thoroughbred horses from the North Caucasus region of Russia, in order to assess potential differences between stallions and mares and to determine reference values.
Methodology and Scope of the Study
- The research focused on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) to measure the trace element content in the mane hair of 190 stallions and 94 mares aged between 3-7 years.
- Various trace elements were tested for including Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Silicon (Si), and Cobalt (Co) among others.
- The horses were all English Thoroughbreds specially bred in the North Caucasus region of Russia.
Findings on Gender Differences
- The results highlighted notable differences between the genders in terms of trace element content.
- Levels of Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Lithium (Li), Silicon (Si), and Strontium (Sr) were found to be higher in mares than stallions, ranging from 39% to 77% higher.
- Iron (Fe) and Silicon (Si) content was almost double in female horses compared to males.
- Only the content of Zinc (Zn) was higher in stallions by about 5%.
- Mares also had higher levels of Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn), and Nickel (Ni), by percentages ranging from 29% to 65%, and levels of Aluminium (Al) and Mercury (Hg) were found to be more than twice higher in mares than in stallions.
Establishing Reference Values
- The study calculated the reference intervals for the trace element content (expressed in micrograms per gram) in the mane hair of the total horse population studied.
- This calculation was done according to the guidelines of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standard.
- The established reference intervals are meant to aid in the interpretation of similar future tests on horse hair trace element analysis.
- Deciphering these reference values will assist specialists to better understand the nutritional or environmental status of horses and assist in their overall health management.
Cite This Article
APA
Kalashnikov VV, Zajcev AM, Atroshchenko MM, Miroshnikov SA, Zavyalov OA, Frolov AN, Skalny AV.
(2019).
Assessment of Gender Effects and Reference Values of Mane Hair Trace Element Content in English Thoroughbred Horses (North Caucasus, Russia) Using ICP-DRC-MS.
Biol Trace Elem Res, 191(2), 382-388.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-1634-9 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding, Ryazan, Russia.
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding, Ryazan, Russia.
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding, Ryazan, Russia.
- Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia.
- Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia.
- Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia.
- Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia.
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia. skalny3@microelements.ru.
- Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia. skalny3@microelements.ru.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Copper / blood
- Female
- Hair / chemistry
- Horses
- Lead / blood
- Male
- Mercury / blood
- Reference Values
- Trace Elements / blood
Grant Funding
- 17-16-01109 / Russian Science Foundation
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
