Bee Pollen Supplementation to Aged Horses Influences Several Blood Parameters.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research article discusses how supplementing aged horses with bee pollen can impact their blood parameters, specifically those related to immunity and oxidative stress, to improve their general health and performance.
Objective of the Study
The researchers aimed to evaluate how bee pollen supplementation during the autumn season impacts the blood parameters in older horses. Their research was premised on the observed effects of aging on immunity in humans and animals, with a particular focus on how these effects escalate during the autumn season and how bee pollen supplementation has shown promise in improving immunity and antioxidant enzyme activity.
Methodology
- The study was conducted on 16 warmblood horses aged between 15 to 26 years.
- To observe the effects of bee pollen supplementation, half of the horse group received 60 g of bee pollen (soaked in water) daily for a span of 30 days during the autumn season.
- Blood samples were collected from all the horses before and after the bee pollen was administered for the supplementation period.
- The team of researchers then analyzed numerous hematological and plasma biochemical parameters, including those that indicate oxidative stress. These parameters were compared before and after the supplement was delivered.
- They used a one-way analysis of variance and paired Student’s t-test for the comparison and analysis of the data collected.
Results of the Study
The researchers discovered that the control group, those horses who did not receive the bee pollen supplement, experienced a reduction in total red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. They also saw an increase in certain lipid parameters, urea, total plasma proteins, and sulfhydryl groups. However, the group of horses that received the bee pollen supplement maintained consistent levels of these parameters, except for LDL cholesterol.
Conclusion of the Study
The research concluded that bee pollen supplementation has a beneficial impact on aged horses during the autumn season. It prevents certain adverse changes, noted in the control subjects, from occurring. This supplements role in maintaining consistent levels of essential blood parameters showcases its potential for combating the negative effects of aging and seasonal changes on horse health.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Science and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: iwona.janczarek@up.lublin.pl.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Apidologie, Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Science and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antioxidants
- Bees
- Dietary Supplements
- Horses
- Oxidative Stress
- Pollen
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Kacemi R, Campos MG. Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World. Nutrients 2023 May 22;15(10).
- Algethami JS, El-Wahed AAA, Elashal MH, Ahmed HR, Elshafiey EH, Omar EM, Naggar YA, Algethami AF, Shou Q, Alsharif SM, Xu B, Shehata AA, Guo Z, Khalifa SAM, Wang K, El-Seedi HR. Bee Pollen: Clinical Trials and Patent Applications. Nutrients 2022 Jul 12;14(14).
- Kacemi R, Campos MG. Bee Pollen as a Source of Biopharmaceuticals for Neurodegeneration and Cancer Research: A Scoping Review and Translational Prospects. Molecules 2024 Dec 13;29(24).
