Daily fluctuations of haematology and blood biochemistry in horses fed varying levels of protein.

The study researches the changes observed in the plasma biochemistry of 12 stallions when subjected to seven 24-hour periods of varying protein diet levels. The findings show that different dietary protein levels did not significantly impact the horses’ haematology, blood biochemistry or biorhythm pattern.

Methodology

• Twelve healthy male horses of four different breeds – Thoroughbred, Anglo-Arabo-Sardo, Avelignese and Maremmano – were used for the study.
• The horses were divided into three experimental groups and fed an isoenergetic maintenance ration with different protein levels.
• The feeding was done daily at two specific times – 0730 and 1930 hours.
• Following a 20 day pretrial period, a series of 6 blood samples were collected daily from each horse’s jugular vein every 4 hours for a week.
• These samples were analyzed for multiple parameters: packed cell volume, haemoglobin, plasma glucose, free fatty acids, cholesterol, total plasma protein, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus as well as the enzyme activities for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotrasferase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.

Results

• The data was analyzed using a harmonic analysis (Fourier) method to define biorhythm patterns.
• Many parameters demonstrated a biorhythmical pattern in the blood samples.
• Despite the differences in diet protein levels, no significant differences were observed in the horses’ haematology, blood biochemistry, and biorhythm patterns. The dietary protein levels didn’t influence these factors.
• Among the different breeds, Thoroughbreds displayed the most elevated values of packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and creatinine levels, while exhibiting the least total protein, phosphorus, and enzymatic activity levels.

Conclusion

• The study’s results suggest that variations in dietary protein levels do not significantly impact the physiological parameters measured in horses, including haematological and blood biochemical factors, and biorhythm patterns.