Copper and zinc levels in the blood of thoroughbreds in training in the United Kingdom.

The research examines the impact of environment and diet on the levels of copper and zinc in the blood of Thoroughbred horses in training. The study found significant fluctuations in these levels, suggesting dietary variations as the primary cause.

Research Context and Method:

• The study was conducted on over 300 Thoroughbred horses actively under training in the United Kingdom. The time frame of the research spanned from February 1979 to July 1981.
• The research aimed to determine the concentration of copper and zinc elements in the horse’s blood and sera. The analysis was carried out using atomic absorption, a commonly used technique for determining the concentration of particular metals in samples.

Research Findings:

• The study found differences in metal concentration with respect to the housing condition of the Thoroughbreds. The horses kept under stable conditions had lower copper levels but higher zinc levels in their serum compared to those at grass.
• No such differences were observed in whole blood, indicating that housing conditions majorly impact serum composition of copper and zinc.
• Additionally, the study found significant variations in average copper and zinc concentrations even among Thoroughbreds housed in different stables, further underlining possible dietary influences.
• Temporal variations were observed in average values from individual stables throughout the year, though no such changes were detected when considering the whole population.

Interpretation and Implications:

• The observed variations in copper and zinc levels are likely attributable to dietary changes associated with different housing conditions.
• These findings highlight the necessity of establishing diet-related reference values when using blood copper and zinc levels for any diagnostic or interpretative purposes.
• While the data is specific to Thoroughbred horses, the implications concerning dietary influences on blood mineral levels might be extrapolated to other horse breeds, provided similar dietary and housing conditions.