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Veterinary research communications2024; doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10443-8

Effect of age on amplitude of circulating catecholamine’s change of healthy cyclic mares.

Abstract: Catecholamines (CATs) are neurotransmitters and allostatic hormones whose plasma concentrations are physiologically modified in various species such as human, rats, mice and donkeys, with advancing age. However, currently these mechanisms are less well elucidated in horses and more specifically in mares. The hypothesis of this study was that, as in afore mentioned species, the CATs could experience physiological changes with advancing age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) in mares of different ages. Blood samples were drawn from 56 non-pregnant Spanish Purebred mares belonging to four different age groups: 6 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years, 13 to 16 years and > 16 years. The concentrations of A, NA, DA, and 5-HT were determined by competition EIA-Technical 3-CAt EIA, specifically validated for horses. Mares aged > 16 years showed lower A, DA, and 5-HT but higher NA concentrations than 6-9, 10-12, and 13-16 years (p < 0.05). Mares of 13-16 years showed lower A and higher NA than 6-9 and 10-12 years (p < 0.05). A and NA (r=-0.72; p < 0.05), and NA and 5-HT (r=-0.67; p < 0.05) were negatively correlated, and A and 5-HT (r = 0.74; p < 0.05) were positively correlated. Advanced age leads to a predominance of sympathetic nervous activity and lower serotonergic activity in non-pregnant mares.
© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-24 PubMed ID: 38913240PubMed Central: 7311877DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10443-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This study investigates how the age of a mare affects the levels of certain hormones and neurotransmitters, with the premise that increased age may lead to physiological changes similar to those observed in other species. It was observed that older mares demonstrated lower levels of adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin but higher levels of noradrenaline.

Research Purpose and Hypothesis

  • The researchers set out to examine whether aging in mares could cause changes in the concentration of certain hormones and neurotransmitters known as catecholamines (CATs), much like it does in other species.
  • The hypothesis was that as mares age, their levels of adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT) would show significant changes.

Methodology

  • The study involved the collection of blood samples from 56 non-pregnant Spanish Purebred mares divided into four different age groups (6-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-16 years, and >16 years).
  • The samples were accordingly analyzed for their concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin using a technical procedure known as the “3-CAt EIA”. This method was chosen due to its specific validation for use in horses.

Findings

  • In line with the researchers’ hypothesis, the study found changes in adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin levels across different age groups.
  • Mares aged over 16 years showed lower levels of adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin, yet had higher levels of noradrenaline.
  • The 13-16 year group displayed lower adrenaline levels and a higher concentration of noradrenaline in comparison to the younger age groups (6-9 and 10-12 years).
  • Statistically significant negative correlations were observed between adrenaline and noradrenaline and noradrenaline and serotonin. Adrenaline and serotonin were positively correlated.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that, as in other organisms, aging in mares is associated with physiological changes – specifically a decrease in adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin and an increase in noradrenaline.
  • This indicates a shift towards increased sympathetic nervous activity and reduced serotonergic activity with age.

Cite This Article

APA
Satué K, Fazio E, Velasco-Martínez MG, Fauci D, Cravana C, Medica P. (2024). Effect of age on amplitude of circulating catecholamine’s change of healthy cyclic mares. Vet Res Commun. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10443-8

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Satué, Katiuska
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46115, Spain. ksatue@uchceu.es.
Fazio, Esterina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.
Velasco-Martínez, María Gemma
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46115, Spain.
Fauci, Deborah La
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.
Cravana, Cristina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.
Medica, Pietro
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Satué K, Medica P, Fauci D, Gímenez ED, Fazio E. Evaluation of age effect on circulating catecholamines' network in pregnant mares. Vet Res Commun 2025 Aug 8;49(5):277.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10853-2pubmed: 40779211google scholar: lookup
  2. Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Velasco-Martínez MG, Barbiera G, Fazio E. Involvement of Peripheral Serotonin in Blood Cells in Healthy Cyclical Mares of Different Ages. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 4;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12060548pubmed: 40559785google scholar: lookup
  3. Satué K, Fazio E, Medica P, Velasco-Martinez MG, Cravana C, Bruschetta G, La Fauci D. The Pivotal Interaction Between Serotonin and Calcium Shifts in Lactating Pregnant Spanish Purebred Mares: The Aging Effect. Vet Sci 2025 Apr 23;12(5).
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