Dietary fat and exercise conditioning effect on metabolic parameters in the horse.

The research studied the effects of different levels of dietary fat and exercise on horses’ metabolism. It identified that the level of dietary fat influenced exercise-induced changes in glucose and cholesterol levels, while exercise resulted in reduced fluctuations in serum enzymes and electrolytes.

Research Methodology and Design

• The research was conducted on four horses, which were subjected to a Latin square design study.
• The horses were fed four isocaloric diets with varying amounts of dietary fat (4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%). The fat was provided in the form of soybean oil.
• Each diet was given for three weeks, with an exercise conditioning routine included.
• After each three-week period, the horses were trotted for six hours, to evaluate the effect of the diet on exercise endurance.

Measurements and Observational Data

• Various metabolic parameters were observed both pre- and post-exercise—these included muscle and liver glycogen, serum long-chain fatty acids, serum electrolytes, serum enzymes, serum cholesterol, plasma glucose, packed cell volume and hemoglobin.
• Dietary fat was found to have a significant correlation with exercise-induced changes in plasma glucose and cholesterol levels.
• Although all the horses had high linoleate concentration, it increased as the dietary fat levels increased.
• The concentration of stearate also increased with dietary fat, whereas palmitic and oleic acid decreased.

Effects of Increased Fat Intake and Conditioning

• Higher fat intake resulted in a slight increase in liver glycogen at rest.
• Conditioning significantly reduced the fluctuations of serum enzymes and electrolytes that were induced by exercise.
• However, conditioning caused an increase in the plasma long-chain fatty acid concentration.
• Even though conditioning increased resting muscle glycogen by 37%, it didn’t affect liver glycogen levels at rest or after exercise.

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that soybean oil is a safe and effective method of dietary fat for working horses without any adverse effects.
• Changes in dietary fat intake significantly influence physiological responses to exercise in horses, making it a vital area of consideration in equine nutrition strategies.