Central and Peripheral Fatigue Evaluation during Physical Exercise in Athletic Horses by Means of Raman Spectroscopy.
Abstract: The evaluation of the performance levels in athletic horses is of major importance to prevent sports injuries. Raman spectroscopy is an innovative technique that allows for a rapid evaluation of biomolecules in biological fluids. It also permits qualitative and quantitative sample analyses, which lead to the simultaneous determination of the components of the examined biological fluids. On the basis of this, the Raman spectroscopy technique was applied on serum samples collected from five Italian Saddle horses subjected to a standardized obstacle course preceded by a warm-up to evaluate the applicability of this technique for the assessment of central and peripheral fatigue in athletic horses. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture in a vacutainer tube with a clot activator before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 min and 1 h after the end of the obstacle course. Observing the obtained Raman spectra, the major changes due to the experimental conditions appeared in the (1300-1360) cm-1 and (1385-1520) cm-1 bands. In the (1300-1360) cm-1 band, lipids and tryptophan were identified; in the (1385-1520) cm-1 band, leucine, glycine, isoleucine, lactic acid, tripeptide, adenosine, and beta carotene were identified. A significant effect of exercise was recorded on all the sub-bands. In particular, a change immediately after exercise versus before exercise was found. Moreover, the mean lactic concentration was positively correlated with the Raman area of the sub-band assigned to lactic acid. In this context, the application of Raman spectroscopy on blood serum samples represents a useful technique for secondary-structure protein identification to investigate the metabolic changes that occur in athletic horses during physical exercise.
Publication Date: 2023-07-05 PubMed ID: 37443998PubMed Central: PMC10339962DOI: 10.3390/ani13132201Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the use of Raman spectroscopy as a method to measure central and peripheral fatigue in athletic horses. The research demonstrates that this technique can identify changes in certain biomolecules in blood samples taken before, immediately after, and at intervals following exercise, which can indicate the presence and extent of physical fatigue.
Methodology
- Five Italian Saddle horses underwent a standard obstacle course preceded by a warm-up phase. This controlled exercise regimen ensured that fatigue developed was as a direct result of the physical activity.
- At four different times – before exercise, immediately after exercise, 30 minutes after completing the obstacle course, and an hour after – blood samples were collected from each horse via jugular venipuncture.
- The blood samples were then analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, an innovative technique that allows for a quick evaluation of biomolecules in biological fluids.
Raman Spectroscopy Analysis
- The Raman spectra observed in this study focused on changes that occurred in two bands, (1300-1360) cm-1 and (1385-1520) cm-1.
- In the (1300-1360) cm-1 band, lipids and tryptophan were identified, while leucine, glycine, isoleucine, lactic acid, tripeptide, adenosine, and beta carotene were identified in the (1385-1520) cm-1 band.
- Significant effects of exercise were recorded on all of these biomolecules. Importantly, there were clear differences in these biomolecules immediately after exercise, compared to before exercise.
Findings and Implications
- A positive correlation was found between the mean lactic concentration and the Raman area of the sub-band assigned to lactic acid, signaling the involvement of lactic acid in energy metabolism during physical exertion.
- The study found that Raman spectroscopy on blood serum samples is a possible method to investigate the metabolic changes that occur in athletic horses during physical exercise. This can provide a non-invasive and quick way to assess equine performance and wellness.
- The ability to identify and monitor these changes could offer valuable information for trainers and veterinarians, potentially aiding in the prevention of sports-related injuries in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Acri G, Testagrossa B, Piccione G, Arfuso F, Giudice E, Giannetto C.
(2023).
Central and Peripheral Fatigue Evaluation during Physical Exercise in Athletic Horses by Means of Raman Spectroscopy.
Animals (Basel), 13(13).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132201 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci n 13, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci n 13, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci n 13, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci n 13, 98168 Messina, Italy.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Wang J, Ren W, Li Z, Li L, Wang R, Ma S, Zeng Y, Meng J, Yao X. Plasma Lipidomics and Proteomics Analyses Pre- and Post-5000 m Race in Yili Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 30;15(7).
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