FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Physiol / Blood flow to the respiratory and limb muscles and to abdomi...
The Journal of physiology1986; 377; 25-35; doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016174

Blood flow to the respiratory and limb muscles and to abdominal organs during maximal exertion in ponies.

Abstract: Using radionuclide-labelled microspheres, 15 micron in diameter, we studied blood flow in the respiratory muscles (diaphragm and intercostal muscles), abdominal organs (adrenal glands, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and the small and large intestines), muscles of propulsion (gluteus medius and biceps femoris), and other working (triceps brachii and longissimus dorsi lumborum) and non-working (temporal and masseter) muscles of ponies at rest and during maximal exercise performed on a treadmill. During maximal exercise heart rate, whole body O2 consumption, cardiac output and mean aortic pressure increased 4.4-fold, 38-fold, 8-fold and 1.5-fold of their resting values, respectively. During maximal exertion arterial CO2 tension and arterial pH decreased while arterial O2 content increased by 58% due to a 59.6% rise in haemoglobin concentration. Arterial O2 tension decreased somewhat and the calculated alveolar to arterial O2 tension gradient widened during exertion. During maximal exertion blood flow in the adrenal glands increased while that in the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, small intestine and colon decreased precipitously. Thus ponies exhibited intense vasoconstriction in the renal and splanchnic vascular beds, similar to that reported in man but not in exercising dogs. During maximal exertion stride (and hence respiratory) frequency of galloping ponies was 138 +/- 3 min-1, and the blood flow and O2 delivery in the diaphragm were not different from those in other strenuously working muscles, namely gluteus medius, biceps femoris (muscles of propulsion) and triceps brachii. Blood flow in the intercostal muscles was only 54% of that in the diaphragm at rest, but with maximal exercise it registered a marked increment and the perfusion became similar to that in the longissimus dorsi lumborum, a powerful extensor of the back and loins.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1986-08-01 PubMed ID: 3795089PubMed Central: PMC1182820DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016174Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 article investigates how blood flow changes in various muscles and organs in ponies during intense exercise, using radionuclide-labelled microspheres. It found that significant changes occur in heart rate, oxygen consumption, arterial oxygen content, and blood flow in various muscles and organs during maximal exertion.

Research Methods and Procedure

  • The study was conducted on ponies at rest and during maximal exercise performed on a treadmill.
  • Radiolabelled microspheres were injected into the left heart to study the blood flow rates in various muscles and organs. The microspheres are 15 microns in diameter and get caught up in the capillaries where they emit radiation that can be detected and measured.

Key Findings of the Study

  • Heart rate, oxygen consumption and mean aortic pressure increased significantly during maximal exercise, by 4.4-fold, 38-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively, of their resting values.
  • The arterial carbon dioxide tension decreased, arterial oxygen content increased by 58% due to a 59.6% increase in hemoglobin concentration and the arterial oxygen tension decreased during exertion.
  • The blood flow in adrenal glands increased, while it decreased in kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and intestines. It showed that there was intense vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) in the renal and splanchnic vascular beds, an effect seen in humans but not in dogs during exercise.
  • Respiratory frequency increased to 138 +/- 3 min-1 during exercise. The blood flow and oxygen delivery to the diaphragm and working muscles (such as gluteus medius, biceps femoris, and triceps brachii) did not change significantly. This suggests that these muscles were able to adapt to the increased energy demand.
  • Blood flow in the intercostal muscles (which assist in breathing) increased during maximal exercise, reaching a level similar to that in the longissimus dorsi lumborum, a powerful back and loin extensor. This suggests that these muscles play important roles in maintaining the ponies’ efforts during maximal exercise.

Implications of the Findings

  • This study sheds light on the physiological adaptations that occur during intense exercise in ponies.
  • The observed changes in blood flow during exercise can be beneficial in developing training protocols for optimal performance in equestrian sports.
  • The clear similarity of some responses to exercise between ponies and humans, particularly the vasoconstriction in the renal and splanchnic vascular beds, may indicate shared evolutionary responses to intense physical activity and may even have research implications for human physiology study.

Cite This Article

APA
Manohar M. (1986). Blood flow to the respiratory and limb muscles and to abdominal organs during maximal exertion in ponies. J Physiol, 377, 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016174

Publication

The Journal of physiology
ISSN: 0022-3751
NlmUniqueID: 0266262
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 377
Pages: 25-35

Researcher Affiliations

Manohar, M

    MeSH Terms

    • Abdomen / blood supply
    • Animals
    • Forelimb / physiology
    • Hemodynamics
    • Hindlimb / physiology
    • Horses / physiology
    • Muscles / blood supply
    • Oxygen / blood
    • Physical Exertion
    • Regional Blood Flow
    • Respiratory Muscles / blood supply

    References

    This article includes 27 references
    1. von Engelhardt W. Cardiovascular effects of exercise and training in horses.. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 1977;21:173-205.
      pubmed: 602867
    2. Buchler B, Magder S, Roussos C. Effects of contraction frequency and duty cycle on diaphragmatic blood flow.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1985 Jan;58(1):265-73.
      pubmed: 3968016doi: 10.1152/jappl.1985.58.1.265google scholar: lookup
    3. Manohar M, Goetz TE. Cerebral, renal, adrenal, intestinal, and pancreatic circulation in conscious ponies and during 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 minimal alveolar concentrations of halothane-O2 anesthesia.. Am J Vet Res 1985 Dec;46(12):2492-7.
      pubmed: 4083581
    4. Reid MB, Johnson RL Jr. Efficiency, maximal blood flow, and aerobic work capacity of canine diaphragm.. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 1983 Mar;54(3):763-72.
      pubmed: 6841221doi: 10.1152/jappl.1983.54.3.763google scholar: lookup
    5. Rowell LB. Human cardiovascular adjustments to exercise and thermal stress.. Physiol Rev 1974 Jan;54(1):75-159.
      pubmed: 4587247doi: 10.1152/physrev.1974.54.1.75google scholar: lookup
    6. Buckberg GD, Luck JC, Payne DB, Hoffman JI, Archie JP, Fixler DE. Some sources of error in measuring regional blood flow with radioactive microspheres.. J Appl Physiol 1971 Oct;31(4):598-604.
      pubmed: 5111009doi: 10.1152/jappl.1971.31.4.598google scholar: lookup
    7. Nilsson B, Ingvar DH. Intramuscular pressure and contractile strength related to muscle blood flow in man.. Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl 1967;99:31-8.
      pubmed: 6056930
    8. Bellemare F, Wight D, Lavigne CM, Grassino A. Effect of tension and timing of contraction on the blood flow of the diaphragm.. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 1983 Jun;54(6):1597-606.
      pubmed: 6874482doi: 10.1152/jappl.1983.54.6.1597google scholar: lookup
    9. Sanders M, Rasmussen S, Cooper D, Bloor C. Renal and intrarenal blood flow distribution in swine during severe exercise.. J Appl Physiol 1976 Jun;40(6):932-5.
      pubmed: 931933doi: 10.1152/jappl.1976.40.6.932google scholar: lookup
    10. Sanders TM, Werner RA, Bloor CM. Visceral blood flow distribution during exercise to exhaustion in conscious dogs.. J Appl Physiol 1976 Jun;40(6):927-31.
      pubmed: 931932doi: 10.1152/jappl.1976.40.6.927google scholar: lookup
    11. BRADLEY SE, CHILDS AW, COMBES B, COURNAND A, WADE OL, WHEELER HO. The effect of exercise on the splanchnic blood flow and splanchnic blood volume in normal man.. Clin Sci 1956 Aug;15(3):457-63.
      pubmed: 13356576
    12. Pannier JL, Leusen I. Regional blood flow in response to exercise in conscious dogs.. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1977 May 10;36(4):255-65.
      pubmed: 902639doi: 10.1007/BF00423051google scholar: lookup
    13. Archie JP Jr, Fixler DE, Ullyot DJ, Hoffman JI, Utley JR, Carlson EL. Measurement of cardiac output with and organ trapping of radioactive microspheres.. J Appl Physiol 1973 Jul;35(1):148-54.
      pubmed: 4716151doi: 10.1152/jappl.1973.35.1.148google scholar: lookup
    14. Van Citters RL, Franklin DL. Cardiovascular performance of Alaska sled dogs during exercise.. Circ Res 1969 Jan;24(1):33-42.
      pubmed: 5763738doi: 10.1161/01.res.24.1.33google scholar: lookup
    15. Vatner SF, Higgins CB, Millard RW, Franklin D. Role of the spleen in the peripheral vascular response to severe exercise in untethered dogs.. Cardiovasc Res 1974 Mar;8(2):276-82.
      pubmed: 4822798doi: 10.1093/cvr/8.2.276google scholar: lookup
    16. Manohar M, Kumar R, Bhargava AK, Nigam JM. Cardiac catheterization in unanesthetized cattle.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1973 Aug 15;163(4):351-4.
      pubmed: 4725125
    17. Manohar M, Parks CM, Busch MA, Tranquilli WJ, Bisgard GE, McPherron TA, Theodorakis MC. Regional myocardial blood flow and coronary vascular reserve in unanesthetized young calves exposed to a simulated altitude of 3500 m for 8--10 weeks.. Circ Res 1982 May;50(5):714-26.
      pubmed: 6210457doi: 10.1161/01.res.50.5.714google scholar: lookup
    18. Fixler DE, Atkins JM, Mitchell JH, Horwitz LD. Blood flow to respiratory, cardiac, and limb muscles in dogs during graded exercise.. Am J Physiol 1976 Nov;231(5 Pt. 1):1515-9.
      pubmed: 998797doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1976.231.5.1515google scholar: lookup
    19. Heymann MA, Payne BD, Hoffman JI, Rudolph AM. Blood flow measurements with radionuclide-labeled particles.. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 1977 Jul-Aug;20(1):55-79.
      pubmed: 877305doi: 10.1016/s0033-0620(77)80005-4google scholar: lookup
    20. RUSHMER RF, FRANKLIN DL, VAN CITTERS RL, SMITH OA. Changes in peripheral blood flow distribution in healthy dogs.. Circ Res 1961 May;9:675-87.
      pubmed: 13744788doi: 10.1161/01.res.9.3.675google scholar: lookup
    21. Delgado R, Sanders TM, Bloor CM. Renal blood flow distribution during steady-state exercise and exhaustion in conscious dogs.. J Appl Physiol 1975 Sep;39(3):475-8.
      pubmed: 1176414doi: 10.1152/jappl.1975.39.3.475google scholar: lookup
    22. Vatner SF, Higgins CB, White S, Patrick T, Franklin D. The peripheral vascular response to severe exercise in untethered dogs before and after complete heart block.. J Clin Invest 1971 Sep;50(9):1950-60.
      pubmed: 5564398doi: 10.1172/JCI106687google scholar: lookup
    23. Manohar M, Bisgard GE, Bullard V, Will JA, Anderson D, Rankin JH. Myocardial perfusion and function during acute right ventricular systolic hypertension.. Am J Physiol 1978 Dec;235(6):H628-36.
      pubmed: 736150doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.1978.235.6.H628google scholar: lookup
    24. Manohar M, Bisgard GE, Bullard V, Rankin JH. Blood flow in the hypertrophied right ventricular myocardium of unanesthetized ponies.. Am J Physiol 1981 Jun;240(6):H881-8.
      pubmed: 6454349doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.1981.240.6.H881google scholar: lookup
    25. Flaim SF, Minteer WJ, Clark DP, Zelis R. Cardiovascular response to acute aquatic and treadmill exercise in the untrained rat.. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 1979 Feb;46(2):302-8.
      pubmed: 422445doi: 10.1152/jappl.1979.46.2.302google scholar: lookup
    26. Parks CM, Manohar M. Transmural coronary vasodilator reserve and flow distribution during severe exercise in ponies.. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 1983 Jun;54(6):1641-52.
      pubmed: 6874488doi: 10.1152/jappl.1983.54.6.1641google scholar: lookup
    27. ROWELL LB, BLACKMON JR, BRUCE RA. INDOCYANINE GREEN CLEARANCE AND ESTIMATED HEPATIC BLOOD FLOW DURING MILD TO MAXIMAL EXERCISE IN UPRIGHT MAN.. J Clin Invest 1964 Aug;43(8):1677-90.
      pubmed: 14201551doi: 10.1172/JCI105043google scholar: lookup

    Citations

    This article has been cited 22 times.
    1. Malenfant S, Lebret M, Breton-Gagnon É, Potus F, Paulin R, Bonnet S, Provencher S. Exercise intolerance in pulmonary arterial hypertension: insight into central and peripheral pathophysiological mechanisms.. Eur Respir Rev 2021 Jun 30;30(160).
      doi: 10.1183/16000617.0284-2020pubmed: 33853885google scholar: lookup
    2. Katz LM, Stallard J, Holtby A, Hill EW, Allen K, Sweeney J. Inspiratory muscle training in young, race-fit Thoroughbred racehorses during a period of detraining.. PLoS One 2020;15(4):e0225559.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225559pubmed: 32275657google scholar: lookup
    3. Poole DC, Copp SW, Colburn TD, Craig JC, Allen DL, Sturek M, O'Leary DS, Zucker IH, Musch TI. Guidelines for animal exercise and training protocols for cardiovascular studies.. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020 May 1;318(5):H1100-H1138.
      doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00697.2019pubmed: 32196357google scholar: lookup
    4. Stewart AS, Pratt-Phillips S, Gonzalez LM. Alterations in Intestinal Permeability: The Role of the "Leaky Gut" in Health and Disease.. J Equine Vet Sci 2017 May;52:10-22.
      doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.02.009pubmed: 31000910google scholar: lookup
    5. Deering RE, Senefeld JW, Pashibin T, Neumann DA, Hunter SK. Muscle function and fatigability of trunk flexors in males and females.. Biol Sex Differ 2017;8:12.
      doi: 10.1186/s13293-017-0133-ypubmed: 28428836google scholar: lookup
    6. Joyner MJ, Casey DP. Regulation of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to muscles during exercise: a hierarchy of competing physiological needs.. Physiol Rev 2015 Apr;95(2):549-601.
      doi: 10.1152/physrev.00035.2013pubmed: 25834232google scholar: lookup
    7. Calbet JA, Lundby C. Skeletal muscle vasodilatation during maximal exercise in health and disease.. J Physiol 2012 Dec 15;590(24):6285-96.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.241190pubmed: 23027820google scholar: lookup
    8. Dempsey JA. New perspectives concerning feedback influences on cardiorespiratory control during rhythmic exercise and on exercise performance.. J Physiol 2012 Sep 1;590(17):4129-44.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.233908pubmed: 22826128google scholar: lookup
    9. Amann M. Pulmonary system limitations to endurance exercise performance in humans.. Exp Physiol 2012 Mar;97(3):311-8.
      doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2011.058800pubmed: 22125308google scholar: lookup
    10. Calbet JA, Joyner MJ. Disparity in regional and systemic circulatory capacities: do they affect the regulation of the circulation?. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2010 Aug;199(4):393-406.
      doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2010.02125.xpubmed: 20345408google scholar: lookup
    11. Vogiatzis I, Athanasopoulos D, Habazettl H, Kuebler WM, Wagner H, Roussos C, Wagner PD, Zakynthinos S. Intercostal muscle blood flow limitation in athletes during maximal exercise.. J Physiol 2009 Jul 15;587(Pt 14):3665-77.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.171694pubmed: 19451206google scholar: lookup
    12. Vogiatzis I, Athanasopoulos D, Boushel R, Guenette JA, Koskolou M, Vasilopoulou M, Wagner H, Roussos C, Wagner PD, Zakynthinos S. Contribution of respiratory muscle blood flow to exercise-induced diaphragmatic fatigue in trained cyclists.. J Physiol 2008 Nov 15;586(22):5575-87.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.162768pubmed: 18832419google scholar: lookup
    13. Romer LM, Lovering AT, Haverkamp HC, Pegelow DF, Dempsey JA. Effect of inspiratory muscle work on peripheral fatigue of locomotor muscles in healthy humans.. J Physiol 2006 Mar 1;571(Pt 2):425-39.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2005.099697pubmed: 16373384google scholar: lookup
    14. Ellerby DJ, Henry HT, Carr JA, Buchanan CI, Marsh RL. Blood flow in guinea fowl Numida meleagris as an indicator of energy expenditure by individual muscles during walking and running.. J Physiol 2005 Apr 15;564(Pt 2):631-48.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2005.082974pubmed: 15731191google scholar: lookup
    15. Sheel AW, Richards JC, Foster GE, Guenette JA. Sex differences in respiratory exercise physiology.. Sports Med 2004;34(9):567-79.
      doi: 10.2165/00007256-200434090-00002pubmed: 15294007google scholar: lookup
    16. Joyner MJ. Feeding the sleeping giant: muscle blood flow during whole body exercise.. J Physiol 2004 Jul 1;558(Pt 1):1.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2004.067306pubmed: 15155795google scholar: lookup
    17. Sheel AW. Respiratory muscle training in healthy individuals: physiological rationale and implications for exercise performance.. Sports Med 2002;32(9):567-81.
      doi: 10.2165/00007256-200232090-00003pubmed: 12096930google scholar: lookup
    18. Haywood GA, Counihan PJ, Sneddon JF, Jennison SH, Bashir Y, McKenna WJ. Increased renal and forearm vasoconstriction in response to exercise after heart transplantation.. Br Heart J 1993 Sep;70(3):247-51.
      doi: 10.1136/hrt.70.3.247pubmed: 8398495google scholar: lookup
    19. Walløe L, Wesche J. Time course and magnitude of blood flow changes in the human quadriceps muscles during and following rhythmic exercise.. J Physiol 1988 Nov;405:257-73.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1988.sp017332pubmed: 3255792google scholar: lookup
    20. Manohar M. Left ventricular oxygen extraction during submaximal and maximal exertion in ponies.. J Physiol 1988 Oct;404:547-56.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1988.sp017305pubmed: 3150987google scholar: lookup
    21. Mazhbich BI, Roifman MD. Elasticity changes in the large arteries of human limbs in response to cycle ergometry performed with upper and lower limbs.. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1989;59(5):390-7.
      doi: 10.1007/BF02389816pubmed: 2598921google scholar: lookup
    22. Kayar SR, Hoppeler H, Armstrong RB, Laughlin MH, Lindstedt SL, Jones JH, Conley KR, Taylor CR. Estimating transit time for capillary blood in selected muscles of exercising animals.. Pflugers Arch 1992 Sep;421(6):578-84.
      doi: 10.1007/BF00375054pubmed: 1437519google scholar: lookup
    Subscribe to our newsletter
    Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.