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Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)2010; 109(5); 1328-1336; doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01327.2009

Circadian regulation of locomotor activity and skeletal muscle gene expression in the horse.

Abstract: Circadian rhythms are innate 24-h cycles in behavioral and biochemical processes that permit physiological anticipation of daily environmental changes. Elucidating the relationship between activity rhythms and circadian patterns of gene expression may contribute to improved human and equine athletic performance. Six healthy, untrained mares were studied to determine whether locomotor activity behavior and skeletal muscle gene expression reflect endogenous circadian regulation. Activity was recorded for three consecutive 48-h periods: as a group at pasture (P), and individually stabled under a light-dark (LD) cycle and in constant darkness (DD). Halter-mounted Actiwatch-L data-loggers recorded light exposure and motor activity. Analysis of mean activity (average counts/min, activity bouts/day, average bout length) and cosinor parameters (acrophase, amplitude, mesor, goodness of fit) revealed a predominantly ultradian (8.9 ± 0.7 bouts/24 h) and weakly circadian pattern of activity in all three conditions (P, LD, DD). A more robust circadian pattern was observed during LD and DD. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the middle gluteal muscles every 4 h for 24 h under DD. One-way qRT-PCR results confirmed the circadian expression (P < 0.05) of six core clock genes (Arntl, Per1, Per2, Nr1d1, Nr1d2, Dbp) and the muscle-specific transcript, Myf6. Additional genes, Ucp3, Nrip1, and Vegfa, demonstrated P values approaching significance. These findings demonstrate circadian regulation of muscle function and imply that human management regimes may strengthen, or unmask, equine circadian behavioral outputs. As exercise synchronizes circadian rhythms, our findings provide a basis for future work determining peak times for training and competing horses, to reduce injury and to achieve optimal performance.
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Publication Date: 2010-09-16 PubMed ID: 20847133DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01327.2009Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • 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.

The research investigates the correlation between 24-hour circadian rhythms in horse locomotor activity and skeletal muscle gene expression, intending to augment our understanding of human and equine athletic performance.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to establish whether the circadian regulation is reflected in locomotor activity behavior and skeletal muscle gene expression in horses.
  • Using six healthy, untrained mares, the researchers studied three different 48-hour scenarios: horses in a pasture (P), and those individually stabled under a light-dark (LD) cycle, and in constant darkness (DD).
  • They monitored the horses’ light exposure and movement activity using Actiwatch-L data-loggers placed on their halters.
  • Additionally, they biopsied the middle gluteal muscles every four hours for 24 hours under the DD condition.

Findings and Analysis

  • The study demonstrated a weak circadian and predominant ultradian (around 8.9 bouts/24 hours) pattern of activity in all three conditions.
  • A stronger circadian pattern was observed under LD and DD.
  • The mares’ muscle biopsy samples revealed the circadian expression of six core clock genes (Arntl, Per1, Per2, Nr1d1, Nr1d2, Dbp) and the muscle-specific transcript, Myf6.
  • Other genes such as Ucp3, Nrip1, and Vegfa also exhibited values close to significance.

Study Implications

  • The research confirms that there is a circadian regulation of muscle function in horses.
  • It suggests that human management systems could fortify, or reveal, horse’s natural circadian outputs.
  • Since physical activity can synchronize circadian rhythms, these results could identify the peak timing for training and competing in horses to lessen the risk of injury and maximize performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Martin AM, Elliott JA, Duffy P, Blake CM, Ben Attia S, Katz LM, Browne JA, Gath V, McGivney BA, Hill EW, Murphy BA. (2010). Circadian regulation of locomotor activity and skeletal muscle gene expression in the horse. J Appl Physiol (1985), 109(5), 1328-1336. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01327.2009

Publication

Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
ISSN: 1522-1601
NlmUniqueID: 8502536
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 109
Issue: 5
Pages: 1328-1336

Researcher Affiliations

Martin, Ann-Marie
  • School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
Elliott, Jeffrey A
    Duffy, Pat
      Blake, Catriona M
        Ben Attia, Sarra
          Katz, Lisa M
            Browne, John A
              Gath, Vivian
                McGivney, Beatrice A
                  Hill, Emmeline W
                    Murphy, Barbara A

                      MeSH Terms

                      • Actigraphy / instrumentation
                      • Activity Cycles
                      • Animals
                      • Behavior, Animal
                      • Biopsy
                      • CLOCK Proteins / genetics
                      • Circadian Rhythm / genetics
                      • Female
                      • Gene Expression Regulation
                      • Horses / genetics
                      • Horses / physiology
                      • Housing, Animal
                      • Motor Activity / genetics
                      • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
                      • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
                      • Photoperiod
                      • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

                      Citations

                      This article has been cited 15 times.
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