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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2000; (30); 77-82; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05193.x

Blood gas, plasma lactate and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology analyses in racehorses with respiratory disease.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, arterial blood gases and plasma lactate concentration during a standardised treadmill test (STT) in racehorses with small-airway inflammation (SAI), or exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Sixteen Thoroughbred and 20 Standardbred actively racing racehorses, were divided into a control group (n = 10), EIPH group (n = 13) and SAI group (n = 13). Each STT consisted of a 2 min trot at 4 m/s followed by 5 x 1 min, incremental speed steps (6, 8, 10, 11 and 12 m/s) at 10% incline for Thoroughbred and 5% for Standardbred horses, followed by a 15 min recovery period. Blood was collected via a transverse facial artery catheter at the end of each step. Total nucleated cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from horses with EIPH was significantly higher than controls. Neutrophil count and percentage in BALF collected pre-STT from horses with SAI were significantly higher than controls. Horses with EIPH or SAI exhibited a more severe exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia than control horses during the first 4 steps of the STT (P < 0.001). Poorly performing horses were more severely hypercapnic than control horses during the STT recovery period (P < 0.05). Five and 15 min post exercise, horses with SAI and EIPH had higher blood lactate and lower blood bicarbonate concentrations than control horses (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that lung ventilation-perfusion mismatch may be more severe in horses with respiratory disease. BALF of horses with SAI and EIPH was characterised by neutrophilic and lymphocytic inflammation, respectively. Very few parameters were significantly different between groups of good and poor performers.
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Publication Date: 2000-02-05 PubMed ID: 10659227DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05193.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • 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.

The research investigates the connection between bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, arterial blood gases and plasma lactate concentration during a standardised treadmill test in racehorses with respiratory diseases. The study pointed out that horses with such respiratory conditions may have more severe ventilation-perfusion mismatch in the lungs.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to understand the correlation between bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology, arterial blood gases, and plasma lactate concentration in racehorses undergoing a standardised treadmill test (STT). The considered diseases were small-airway inflammation (SAI) and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH).
  • A total of 16 Thoroughbred and 20 Standardbred actively racing horses participated in the study. These were classified into a control group, an EIPH group, and an SAI group.
  • The STTs composed a 2-minute trot at 4 m/s, followed by 5 one-minute speed steps – 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12 m/s with appropriate inclinations. A recovery period of 15 minutes was followed.
  • Blood samples were taken at the end of every STT step via a transverse facial artery catheter.

Observations and Findings

  • The study found that the total nucleated cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from horses in the EIPH group was significantly higher than those in the control group. In horses with SAI, neutrophil count and percentage were notably higher than in controls.
  • During the first four steps of the STT, horses affected by EIPH or SAI evidenced more severe exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia than control horses.
  • During the STT recovery periods, poorly performing horses demonstrated more severe hypercapnia than the controls.
  • Upon examining post-exercise hemodynamics, horses with SAI and EIPH showed higher blood lactate and lower blood bicarbonate concentrations than control horses at 5 and 15 minutes post exercise.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The findings suggest that there might be a more severe lung ventilation-perfusion mismatch in horses afflicted with respiratory diseases.
  • BALF analyses showed neutrophilic inflammation in SAI horses and lymphocytic inflammation in EIPH horses.
  • Not many parameters were significantly different between good and poor performing horses, which indicates that performance alone might not be a reliable measure for gauging the extent of respiratory disease in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Couëtil LL, Denicola DB. (2000). Blood gas, plasma lactate and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology analyses in racehorses with respiratory disease. Equine Vet J Suppl(30), 77-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05193.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 30
Pages: 77-82

Researcher Affiliations

Couëtil, L L
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1248, USA.
Denicola, D B

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
    • Bronchitis / veterinary
    • Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
    • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
    • Exercise Test / veterinary
    • Hemorrhage / physiopathology
    • Hemorrhage / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / blood
    • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
    • Horses
    • Lactic Acid / blood
    • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
    • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology
    • Pulmonary Circulation

    Citations

    This article has been cited 24 times.
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