Effect of transportation on the sympatho-adrenal system responses in horses.
Abstract: The objective of current study was to evaluate the effect of transportation stress on the circulating adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) responses of stallions, according to the different distances. Forty-two stallions were studied before and after road transportation of 100, 200 and 300km, for a period of 1-3h. An increase in plasma A after 100km (P<0.001) was observed. A similar result was seen in plasma NA after 100km (P<0.001), and 300km (P<0.001). Increases in plasma DA after 100 and 200km (P<0.0001) were observed, with a decrease after 300km (P<0.0001). Significant interactions among groups and times for A (P<0.0001), NA (P<0.0006) and DA (P<0.0001) changes were observed. These results indicate that the sympatho-adrenal system response of horses was greater after short (100km), than medium-longer period of transportation (200 and 300km). This may indicate an adaptation process during transport, considering A and NA as the primary candidate neurotransmitters for the maintenance of homeostatic process to alleviate the effects of the perceived transportation stress.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-10-25 PubMed ID: 29126628DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.10.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research in this article investigates how transportation-related stress affects hormone levels in horses. Specifically, it examined the responses of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine in stallions transported over various distances. The findings suggest that shorter distances (100km) induced a higher sympathetic adrenal system response than medium to longer distances (200km and 300km), indicating a potential adaptation process during transport.
Research Objective
- The study aimed to understand the impact of transportation stress on hormonal responses – specifically adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DA) – in stallions, with a focus on varying distances.
Study Design and Methodology
- A total of 42 stallions were observed both before and after road transport for specified distances of 100, 200, and 300km, traveled over periods of 1 to 3 hours.
- The levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine in the animals’ blood plasma were measured before and after transportation.
Key Results
- The study recorded a rise in plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline after a 100km journey, and noradrenaline levels also rose after a 300km journey.
- Dopamine levels increased after 100km and 200km journeys, but fell after 300km.
- This data was proven highly significant statistically (P<0.0001).
- The researchers found clear variances and interactions among groups and time for adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine level changes.
Conclusion and Implications
- Short distances (100km) resulted in a higher sympatho-adrenal response in horses than longer journeys (200km and 300km).
- This may suggest that horses undergo an adaptation process over time during transportation.
- It indicates that adrenaline and noradrenaline may be the key neurotransmitters involved in maintaining homeostatic balance and mitigating the effects of perceived transport stress.
Cite This Article
APA
Medica P, Bruschetta G, Cravana C, Ferlazzo A, Fazio E.
(2017).
Effect of transportation on the sympatho-adrenal system responses in horses.
Res Vet Sci, 125, 401-404.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.10.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: pmedica@unime.it.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Unit of Veterinary Biochemistry, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Adrenal Glands / physiology
- Animals
- Dopamine / blood
- Epinephrine / blood
- Horses
- Male
- Norepinephrine / blood
- Stress, Physiological
- Sympathetic Nervous System / physiology
- Transportation
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Arangia A, Ragno A, Cordaro M, D'Amico R, Siracusa R, Fusco R, Marino Merlo F, Smeriglio A, Impellizzeri D, Cuzzocrea S, Mandalari G, Di Paola R. Antioxidant Activity of a Sicilian Almond Skin Extract Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models.. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Jul 28;24(15).
- Henshall C, Randle H, Francis N, Freire R. The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses.. Sci Rep 2022 Feb 4;12(1):1918.
- Ferlazzo A, Cravana C, Fazio E, Medica P. The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses.. Vet World 2020 May;13(5):847-859.
- Padalino B, Davis GL, Raidal SL. Effects of transportation on gastric pH and gastric ulceration in mares.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):922-932.
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