Comparative hematological study of two breeds of foals (Andalusian and Arab) subjected to exercise of progressive intensity.

This research focuses on the study of blood changes due to exercise in two different breeds of four-year-old foals, Andalusian and Arabian. The analysis was centered on parameters such as red blood cell count, hemoglobin content, and total plasma proteins, among others. The key finding is that Arabian foals showed a higher total plasma protein concentration during rest, each exercise level, and 10-minute recovery period, while other variables remained similar in both breeds.

Research Aim

• The objective of this study was to analyze the physiological changes that occur in the blood of two different foal breeds (Andalusian and Arabian) due to exercise of increasing intensity. The researchers aimed to determine if there were any disparities between the reactions of the two breeds to physical exertion.

Methodology

• The study involved 20 four-year-old foals, 11 of which were of the Andalusian breed and 9 of the Arabian breed.
• These foals were subjected to a progressive intensity exercise protocol consisting of running at 4 different speeds (15, 20, 25, and 30 km/h) each for a duration of 5 minutes.
• Blood samples were collected at rest, after each exercise level, and after 10 and 30 minutes of recovery from exercise.
• The collected blood samples were analysed for various hematological parameters such as red blood cell counts, hematocrit values, hemoglobin, volumetric indices (MCV- Mean Corpuscular Volume, MCH – Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, and MCHC – Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration), and total plasma proteins.

Findings

• The study found that Arabian foals had higher total plasma protein concentrations than the Andalusian foals across all stages of the study – at rest, following each level of exercise and ten minutes into the recovery period.
• However, all the other hematological parameters studied such as red blood cell count, hematocrit values, hemoglobin, and volumetric indices did not show any significant change and had similar values in both the breeds.

Conclusion

• Based on these results, the researchers concluded that although Arabian foals have higher total plasma protein concentrations in response to exercise, both breeds appear to be largely similar in terms of their hematological responses to progressive intensity exercise.