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Domestic animal endocrinology2009; 38(3); 179-189; doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2009.10.002

Changes in cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses during long-distance road transport.

Abstract: It is widely accepted that transport is stressful for horses, but only a few studies are available involving horses that are transported regularly and are accustomed to transport. We determined salivary cortisol immunoreactivity (IR), fecal cortisol metabolites, beat-to-beat (RR) interval, and heart rate variability (HRV) in transport-experienced horses (N=7) in response to a 2-d outbound road transport over 1370 km and 2-d return transport 8 d later. Salivary cortisol IR was low until 60 min before transport but had increased (P<0.05) 30 min before loading. Transport caused a further marked increase (P<0.001), but the response tended to decrease with each day of transport. Concentrations of fecal cortisol metabolites increased on the second day of both outbound and return transports and reached a maximum the following day (P<0.001). During the first 90 min on Day 1 of outbound transport, mean RR interval decreased (P<0.001). Standard deviations of RR interval (SDRR) decreased transiently (P<0.01). The root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD) decreased at the beginning of the outbound and return transports (P<0.01), reflecting reduced parasympathetic tone. On the first day of both outbound and return transports, a transient rise in geometric HRV variable standard deviation 2 (SD2) occurred (P<0.01), indicating increased sympathetic activity. In conclusion, transport of experienced horses leads to increased cortisol release and changes in heart rate and HRV, which is indicative of stress. The degree of these changes tended to be most pronounced on the first day of both outbound and return transport.
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2009-11-26 PubMed ID: 19962266DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2009.10.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study examines how long-distance transport affects the stress levels of sport horses that are accustomed to regular travelling. The researchers tracked changes in the horses’ salivary and fecal cortisol (stress hormone) levels and heart rate variability during a two-day outbound journey over 1370 kilometers, and a two-day return journey eight days later.

Study Design and Parameters

  • The research involved a group of seven horses that were regularly transported, hence quite familiar with travel.
  • The researchers analyzed several parameters to assess the stress levels of the horses: salivary cortisol immunoreactivity (IR), fecal cortisol metabolites, RR intervals (the time gap between adjacent heartbeats), and heart rate variability (HRV).
  • The journey spanned two days covering a distance of 1370 km and the return transport occurred eight days later.
  • Cortisol IR and other measurements were evaluated at different intervals before, during, and after the transport.

Key Findings

  • The salivary cortisol IR levels were low until 60 minutes before transport began, but they increased (P<0.05) 30 minutes prior to loading.
  • Transport resulted in a further marked increase in cortisol levels (P<0.001), indicating stress in horses. Interestingly, the response tended to decrease with each day of transport.
  • The concentrations of cortisol metabolites in the feces increased on the second day of both outbound and return trips, reaching a peak on the following day (P<0.001).
  • During the first 90 minutes of the outbound trip, the mean RR interval decreased (P<0.001), pointing to an increase in heart rate.
  • The standard deviations of RR interval (SDRR) and the root mean square of successive RR differences (RMSSD) decreased, indicating a reduction in parasympathetic activity and an increase in sympathetic activity, typical signs of stress.
  • The geometric HRV variable standard deviation 2 (SD2) increased transiently at the beginning of both trips (P<0.01), indicating increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is the body's fight or flight response.

Conclusion

The results suggest long-distance transport results in heightened stress responses for sport horses, as indicated by increased cortisol release and changes in heart rate and HRV. However, it’s worth noting that the horses’ stress response seemed to be most pronounced on the first day of the outbound and return transports – implying that certain travel-related stressors might lessen over time.

Cite This Article

APA
Schmidt A, Biau S, Möstl E, Becker-Birck M, Morillon B, Aurich J, Faure JM, Aurich C. (2009). Changes in cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses during long-distance road transport. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 38(3), 179-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2009.10.002

Publication

Domestic animal endocrinology
ISSN: 1879-0054
NlmUniqueID: 8505191
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 3
Pages: 179-189

Researcher Affiliations

Schmidt, A
  • Graf-Lehndorff-Institut für Pferdewissenschaften, 16845 Neustadt (Dosse), Germany.
Biau, S
    Möstl, E
      Becker-Birck, M
        Morillon, B
          Aurich, J
            Faure, J-M
              Aurich, C

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Electrocardiography
                • Feces / chemistry
                • Heart Rate / physiology
                • Horses
                • Hydrocortisone
                • Parasympathetic Nervous System / physiology
                • Saliva / metabolism
                • Sports
                • Stress, Physiological / physiology
                • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiology

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