Calcium homeostasis and intact plasma parathyroid hormone during exercise and training in young Standardbred horses.
Abstract: Physical exercise is known to affect calcium homeostasis in horses, but there is little information on the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism during exercise. In order to evaluate the effects of exercise and training on calcium homeostasis and intact plasma parathyroid hormone, 7 untrained Standardbred horses were studied in a 6 week training programme. These horses were accustomed to running on the treadmill 3 weeks before onset of training and were exercised on a high-speed treadmill with an initial incremental standardised exercise test (SET 1: 6 incremental steps of 5 min duration each; first step 5 m/s, increase 1 m/s). SET 1 was followed by a lactate-guided training programme (6 weeks in total) with 2 types of exercise in alternating order with a day of rest after each work day: high-speed exercise (HSE) of 15 min duration, starting at VLa4, continuous increase in speed every 60 s by 0.3 m/s (14 incremental steps); and low-speed exercise (LSE) at a constant velocity at VLa2.5, duration approximately 60-90 min. The whole training programme consisted of 8 HSE and 8 LSE sessions. HSE and LSE were calculated to require the same energy expenditure. A final SET (SET 2) finished the training programme. Blood samples for lactate, plasma total calcium [Ca], blood ionised calcium [Ca2+], blood pH, plasma inorganic phosphorus [P(i)] and plasma intact parathyroid hormone [PTH] were collected before, during and after SETs 1 and 2, before and after the first and eighth HSE and LSE. During SETs 1 and 2, HSEs 1 and 8 there was a decrease in ionised Ca2+ and pH and a rise in lactate, intact PTH and P(i). LSEs 1 and 8 resulted in an increase in pH, whereas lactate, ionised Ca2+, total Ca, P(i) and intact PTH were not affected. No changes in calcium metabolism were detected during training. Results of this study suggest that intact PTH is a mediator in counter-regulation of exercise-induced hypocalcaemia.
Publication Date: 2002-11-29 PubMed ID: 12455843DOI: 10.2746/042516402776250379Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the impact of exercise and training on calcium homeostasis and parathyroid hormone levels in untrained Standardbred horses. The findings suggest that the hormone may counterbalance the effects of exercise-induced low calcium levels.
Research Context
- The study was designed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise and training on calcium homeostasis, the process by which the body maintains adequate calcium levels, and the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood of young Standardbred horses. PTH is a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that regulates calcium levels in the blood.
- It was conducted on seven untrained Standardbred horses over a six-week training period, involving a mixture of high-speed and low-speed exercises.
- These horses were first accustomed to running on a high-speed treadmill for three weeks before the onset of the training program.
Methodology
- The exercise regimen included high-speed exercise (HSE) of 15 minutes duration, with speed increases every 60 seconds, and low-speed exercise (LSE) at a constant pace for about 60-90 minutes.
- These exercises were designed to require the same energy expenditure, and they alternated with a day of rest in between.
- Blood samples were taken from the horses at various stages of the training program. These samples were tested for lactate, plasma total calcium [Ca], blood ionized calcium [Ca2+], blood pH (a measure of acidity or alkalinity), plasma inorganic phosphorus [P(i)], and plasma intact parathyroid hormone [PTH].
Key Findings
- The results showed that during high-speed and two standard exercise tests (SETs), there was a decrease in ionized calcium and pH, and a rise in lactate, intact PTH, and phosphorus. In contrast, low-speed exercises resulted in an increase in pH, but did not affect lactate, ionized calcium, total calcium, phosphorus, or intact PTH levels.
- The study found no changes in calcium metabolism during the training period.
- The findings suggest that PTH could be a significant factor in mitigating exercise-induced low calcium levels (hypocalcemia).
Cite This Article
APA
Vervuert I, Coenen M, Wedemeyer U, Chrobok C, Harmeyer J, Sporleder HP.
(2002).
Calcium homeostasis and intact plasma parathyroid hormone during exercise and training in young Standardbred horses.
Equine Vet J, 34(7), 713-718.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776250379 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calcium / blood
- Calcium / metabolism
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Homeostasis
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Lactic Acid / blood
- Male
- Parathyroid Hormone / blood
- Phosphorus / blood
- Phosphorus / metabolism
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Ferlazzo A, Cravana C, Fazio E, Medica P. The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses. Vet World 2020 May;13(5):847-859.
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