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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(11); 1865; doi: 10.3390/ani13111865

Circadian Variation of Peripheral Blood Cells in Horses Maintained in Different Environmental and Management Conditions.

Abstract: The aim of our study was to analyze circadian rhythm of the hematological profile of horses housed in a loose box and paddock during the different seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). Blood samples were performed every 4 h for 48 consecutive hours. Red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets (PLTs), and leukocyte subpopulations (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes) were analyzed, and, at the same time, environmental conditions were recorded. A statistically significant effect of housing conditions ( < 0.0001) was observed on all hematological values except for WBC during winter and for neutrophils ( < 0.0001) during spring and autumn. A statistically significant effect of season ( < 0.0001) was found for RBC, HCT, and PLT and for all leukocyte cells ( < 0.0001) except for basophils. The single Cosinor method revealed a daily rhythm of hematological parameters during spring in both groups, and a daily rhythm for lymphocytes and neutrophils was observed during spring and summer in horses kept in a loose box and during winter in horses housed in a paddock. Our results revealed that the response of the immune system is regulated by circadian physiology. Knowledge of the periodic temporal structure of mammals should be considered when evaluating animals' adaptation to temporizations imposed by the environment.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-03 PubMed ID: 37889772PubMed Central: PMC10251899DOI: 10.3390/ani13111865Google 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.

The research article investigates the circadian rhythms of horses’ bloodstream cells and how these rhythms change under varying environmental and management circumstances. The study found that the immune system responses of horses, indicated through various blood cell counts, are influenced by circadian rhythms and fluctuate with seasons and housing conditions.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The research aimed to evaluate the circadian rhythm – a biological process displaying an endogenous, entrainable oscillation of about 24 hours – of horses’ blood components, and how this rhythm differs under various environmental and management conditions.
  • Different seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) and housing conditions (loose box and paddock) were considered.
  • The study involved obtaining blood samples from the horses every four hours for two consecutive days. The values of various blood components – red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets (PLTs), and distinct leukocyte subpopulations (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes) – were measured.
  • All the time, environmental factors such as temperature, light, and humidity were noted.

Key Research Findings

  • Findings indicated a significant effect of the horses’ housing situation on their hematological values, except for WBC during winter and neutrophils in spring and autumn.
  • A significant impact of the season was also found on RBC, HCT, and PLT, as well as on all types of leukocytes other than basophils. Variations in these values indicate changes in the animal’s immune responses.
  • The Cosinor method, a mathematical model used for analyzing circadian rhythms, was employed to show a daily rhythm in the horses’ blood cell parameters throughout the spring season. Daily rhythms of specific leukocyte subpopulations were also observed during different seasons under the two different housing conditions.

Implications of the Study

  • This research suggests that the immune system of mammals, as evident from the circadian fluctuation in various blood parameters, is significantly influenced by their living conditions and the changing seasons.
  • These findings underscore the fact that evaluations of animals’ adaptive response to environmental changes should consider their circadian rhythms, especially when studying their immune function.

Cite This Article

APA
(2023). Circadian Variation of Peripheral Blood Cells in Horses Maintained in Different Environmental and Management Conditions. Animals (Basel), 13(11), 1865. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111865

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
PII: 1865

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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