Effect of exercise on plasma ferritin concentrations: implications for the measurement of iron status.
Abstract: Iron is of key importance for aerobic metabolism, and natural feeds of the horse are fairly rich sources of iron. Accordingly, the known incidence of iron deficiency anaemia is apparently rare in performance horses; despite this, iron deficiency in performance horses continues to be of concern to trainers and veterinarians. Effects of exercise on plasma ferritin concentrations were therefore studied in Standardbreds, Finnhorses and half-bred riding horses. Blood samples were taken after a moderate exercise test on a racetrack, a competition exercise test on a treadmill and a race. Even moderate exercise caused an increase in plasma ferritin concentration, with the increase being greater as the intensity and duration of exercise increased. Return to the basal level was slower after maximal-intensity exercise than after moderate exercise. In conclusion, although ferritin is a useful marker of low iron stores, samples should be taken only after at least 2 days rest following strenuous exercise.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405684DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05416.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study shows that the physical exertion from exercise can lead to increased levels of plasma ferritin in horses, which can potentially affect the measurement of their iron status. The effect appears to be more pronounced with more intense or prolonged exercise.
Introduction and Methodology
- The research aimed to study the impact of varying intensities of exercise on the plasma ferritin concentrations in horses. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled manner, implying that blood ferritin levels can indicate the amount of stored iron in a body.
- This study notably focused on Standardbreds, Finnhorses, and half-bred riding horses, all breeds conditioned for performance. Trainers and veterinarians are particularly interested in iron status in such breeds due to concerns about potential iron deficiency.
- Blood samples were taken from the horses after they were subjected to different levels of exercises: a moderate exercise test on a race track, a competition exercise test on a treadmill, and a race, which is a maximal-intensity exercise.
Results
- The results revealed that even moderate exercise can cause an increase in plasma ferritin concentration. This increase was seen to be higher when the duration and intensity of the exercise were increased.
- The study further found that the body’s return to the basal level of ferritin was slower after high-intensity exercise in comparison to the lesser intensity one.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that while ferritin is a useful marker for determining the level of iron storage, care must be taken when sampling. The increased levels of ferritin due to exercise can skew the readings, potentially masking any iron deficiency if present.
- Therefore, to get an accurate measurement, blood samples should ideally be taken at least two days after any strenuous exercise. This delay allows enough time for the ferritin levels to return to the normal state.
Cite This Article
APA
Hyyppä S, Höyhtyä M, Nevalainen M, Pösö AR.
(2002).
Effect of exercise on plasma ferritin concentrations: implications for the measurement of iron status.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 186-190.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05416.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Agrifood Research Finland, Animal Production, Equines, Ypäjä.
MeSH Terms
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / blood
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / diagnosis
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / epidemiology
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / veterinary
- Animals
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Ferritins / blood
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Iron / metabolism
- Iron Deficiencies
- L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Time Factors
- gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Arantes JA, Borges AS, Zakia LS, Surette MG, Weese JS, Costa MC, Arroyo LG. Effect of dietary iron supplementation on the equine fecal microbiome. Can J Vet Res 2023 Apr;87(2):97-104.
- Perez-Ecija A, Buzon-Cuevas A, Aguilera-Aguilera R, Gonzalez-De Cara C, Mendoza Garcia FJ. Reference intervals of acute phase proteins in healthy Andalusian donkeys and response to experimentally induced endotoxemia. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):580-589.
- Kellon EM, Gustafson KM. Possible dysmetabolic hyperferritinemia in hyperinsulinemic horses. Open Vet J 2020 Jan;9(4):287-293.
- Horn PL, West NP, Pyne DB, Koerbin G, Lehtinen SJ, Fricker PA, Cripps AW. Routine exercise alters measures of immunity and the acute phase reaction. Eur J Appl Physiol 2015 Feb;115(2):407-15.
- Kiełbik P, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. Iron Status in Sport Horses: Is It Important for Equine Athletes?. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jun 12;26(12).
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