FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Effects of a Gastroscopic Procedure on Salivary Cortisol Rel...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(22); 3332; doi: 10.3390/ani14223332

Effects of a Gastroscopic Procedure on Salivary Cortisol Release and Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Young Racehorses.

Abstract: In this study, gastroscopy was performed twice in 31 two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Salivary cortisol (SC) and fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) concentrations were determined to measure the stress impact. One gastroscopy was performed at the beginning and one six months later at the end of the horses' first training season. According to the Wilcoxon signed rank test, a mild but significant increase of SC (1st gastroscopy: = 0.0045, 2nd gastroscopy: < 0.0001) and FCM (1st gastroscopy: < 0.0001, 2nd gastroscopy: = 0.0006) values after gastroscopy compared to basal values was detected.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-11-19 PubMed ID: 39595383PubMed Central: PMC11590924DOI: 10.3390/ani14223332Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 research explored the effects of gastroscopy, a digestive tract examination, on stress indicators in young racehorses. Cortisol levels in saliva and feces were found to mildly increase after the procedure at both the start and end of the horses’ first training season.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to measure the stress impact of gastroscopy procedures on young racehorses. Gastroscopy is a procedure where a flexible tube is passed down into the horse’s stomach to examine the digestive tract. The stress response was determined by analyzing changes in salivary and fecal cortisol levels before and after the procedure. Cortisol, a hormone released during the stress, was used as a biological marker to gauge the physiological impact on the horses.
  • The procedure was performed twice on 31 two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses during their first training season: once at the start and again six months later at the end of the season.

Findings

  • According to the Wilcoxon signed rank test, a statistical method used to compare two related samples or repeated measurements on a single sample, there was a mild but significant increase in both salivary cortisol (SC) and fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) values after both gastroscopy procedures compared to baseline values.
  • The increase of SC and FCM after the first gastroscopy procedure recorded values of 0.0045 and less than 0.0001 respectively, which indicates statistical significance. Similarly, after the second procedure, SC and FCM showed values of less than 0.0001 and 0.0006 respectively, also indicating statistical significance.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that gastroscopy procedure has measurable effects on the stress levels of young racehorses. This finding suggests that care should be taken when planning and conducting these procedures on equine athletes to minimize their stress and ensure their wellbeing and performance aren’t negatively affected.

Cite This Article

APA
Ostermeier S, Palme R, Vervuert I, Glomm B, Feige K, Macho-Maschler S, König von Borstel U, Venner M. (2024). Effects of a Gastroscopic Procedure on Salivary Cortisol Release and Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Young Racehorses. Animals (Basel), 14(22), 3332. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223332

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 22
PII: 3332

Researcher Affiliations

Ostermeier, Sabina
  • Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
Palme, Rupert
  • Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Vervuert, Ingrid
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany.
Glomm, Barbara
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany.
Feige, Karsten
  • Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, 30559 Hanover, Germany.
Macho-Maschler, Sabine
  • Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
König von Borstel, Uta
  • Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Venner, Monica
  • Equine Clinic Destedt GmbH, Destedt, 38162 Cremlingen, Germany.

Grant Funding

  • DEAL / Leipzig University

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results. All authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 33 references
  1. Shawaf T, El-Deeb WM, Elgioushy WM. The contribution of specific and nonspecific biomarkers in diagnosis of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) under field condition.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2020;84:102853.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102853pubmed: 31864460google scholar: lookup
  2. Vokes J, Lovett A, Sykes B. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome: An update on current knowledge.. Animals 2023;13:1261.
    doi: 10.3390/ani13071261pmc: PMC10093336pubmed: 37048517google scholar: lookup
  3. Buchanan BR, Andrews FM. Treatment and prevention of equine gastric ulcer syndrome.. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 2003;19:575–597.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2003.08.012pubmed: 14740758google scholar: lookup
  4. Sykes BW, Hewetson MJ, Hepburn RJ, Luthersson N, Tamzali Y. European college of equine internal medicine consensus statement—Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses.. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2015;29:1288–1299.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.13578pmc: PMC4858038pubmed: 26340142google scholar: lookup
  5. Luthersson N, Hou Nielsen K, Harris P, Parkin TDH. The prevalence and anatomical distribution of equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark.. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:619–624.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X441910pubmed: 19927578google scholar: lookup
  6. Merritt AM. Appeal for proper usage of the term ‘EGUS’: Equine gastric ulcer syndrome.. Equine Vet. J. 2009;41:616.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X454574pubmed: 19927576google scholar: lookup
  7. Sykes BW, Bowen M, Habershon-Butcher JL, Green M, Hallowell GD. Management factors and clinical implications of glandular and squamous gastric disease in horses.. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2019;33:233–240.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15350pmc: PMC6335573pubmed: 30499188google scholar: lookup
  8. Banse HE, Andrews FM. Equine glandular gastric disease: Prevalence, impact and management strategies.. Vet. Med. 2019;10:69–76.
    doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S174427pmc: PMC6642651pubmed: 31406687google scholar: lookup
  9. Thun R, Schwartz-Porsche D. Veterinärmedizinische Endokrinologie.. Gustav Fischer Verlag; Jena/Stuttgart, Germany: 1994. Regulation der Nebennierenrinde; pp. 320–329.
  10. Hofer H, East ML. Biological conservation and stress.. Adv. Study Behav. 1998;27:405–525.
    doi: 10.1016/S0065-3454(08)60370-8google scholar: lookup
  11. Palme R. Non-invasive measurement of glucocorticoids: Advances and problems.. Physiol. Behav. 2019;199:229–243.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.11.021pubmed: 30468744google scholar: lookup
  12. Mormède P, Andanson S, Auperin B, Beerda B, Guemene D, Malmkvist J, Manteca X, Manteuffel G, Prunet P, van Reenen CG. Exploration of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function as a tool to evaluate animal welfare.. Physiol. Behav. 2007;92:317–339.
    doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.12.003pubmed: 17234221google scholar: lookup
  13. Taylor W. The excretion of steroid hormone metabolites in bile and feces.. Vitam. Horm. 1971;29:201–285.
    doi: 10.1016/s0083-6729(08)60050-3pubmed: 5002593google scholar: lookup
  14. Palme R, Fischer P, Schildorfer H, Ismail MN. Excretion of infused 14C-steroid hormones via faeces and urine in domestic livestock.. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 1996;43:43–63.
    doi: 10.1016/0378-4320(95)01458-6google scholar: lookup
  15. Möstl E, Palme R. Hormones as indicators of stress.. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 2002;23:67–74.
    doi: 10.1016/S0739-7240(02)00146-7pubmed: 12142227google scholar: lookup
  16. Palme R, Möstl E. Measurement of cortisol metabolites in faeces of sheep as a parameter of cortisol concentration in blood.. Int. J. Mammal. Biol. 1997;62:192–197.
  17. Schmidt A, Möstl E, Aurich JE, Neuhauser S, Aurich C. Comparison of cortisol and cortisone levels in blood plasma and saliva and cortisol metabolite concentrations in faeces for stress analysis in horses; Proceedings of the 5th International Equitation Science Conference; Guelph, ON, Canada. 19–21 August 2009.. .
  18. Carroll CL, Huntington PJ. Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses.. Equine Vet. J. 1988;20:41–45.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01451.xpubmed: 3366105google scholar: lookup
  19. [(accessed on 8 November 2024)]. Available online: https://www.rossdales.com/laboratories/reference-ranges.
  20. Aurich J, Wulf M, Ille N, Erber R, von Lewinski M, Palme R, Aurich C. Effects of season, age, sex, and housing on salivary cortisol concentrations in horses.. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 2015;52:11–16.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.01.003pubmed: 25700267google scholar: lookup
  21. Palme R, Touma C, Arias N, Dominchin MF, Lepschy M. Steroid extraction: Get the best out of faecal samples.. Wiener Tierärztl. Mschrift.—Vet. Med. Austria. 2013;100:238–246.
  22. Merl S, Scherzer S, Palme R, Möstl E. Pain causes increased concentrations of glucocorticoid metabolites in horse feces.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2000;20:586–590.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(00)70267-Xgoogle scholar: lookup
  23. Möstl E, Messmann S, Bagu E, Robia C, Palme R. Measurement of glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in faeces of domestic livestock.. Zentralbl. Veterinarmed. A. 1999;46:621–631.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00256.xpubmed: 10638300google scholar: lookup
  24. Moberg GP. The Biology of Animal Stress: Basic Principles and Implications for Animal Welfare.. CABI Publishing; Wallingford, UK: 2000. Biological response to stress: Implications for animal welfare; pp. 1–21.
  25. Schmidt A, Möstl E, Wehnert C, Aurich J, Müller J, Aurich C. Cortisol release and heart rate variability in horses during road transport.. Horm. Behav. 2010;57:209–215.
    doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2009.11.003pubmed: 19944105google scholar: lookup
  26. Budzyńska M. Stress reactivity and coping in horse adaptation to environment.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2014;34:935–941.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2014.05.010google scholar: lookup
  27. Wagner AE, Muir WW, Hinchcliff KW. Cardiovascular effects of xylazine and detomidine in horses.. Am. J. Vet. Res. 1991;52:651–657.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.1991.52.05.651pubmed: 1854087google scholar: lookup
  28. Peeters M, Sulon J, Beckers JF, Ledoux D, Vandenheede M. Comparison between blood serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in horses using an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge.. Equine Vet. J. 2011;43:487–493.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00294.xpubmed: 21496072google scholar: lookup
  29. Pell SM, McGreevy PD. A study of cortisol and beta-endorphin levels in stereotypic and normal Thoroughbreds.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1999;64:81–90.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1591(99)00029-5google scholar: lookup
  30. Alexander S, Irvine C. The effect of social stress on adrenal axis activity in horses: The importance of monitoring corticosteroid-binding globulin capacity.. J. Endocrinol. 1998;157:425–432.
    doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1570425pubmed: 9691975google scholar: lookup
  31. Scheidegger MD, Gerber V, RAmseyer A, Schüpbach-Regula G, Bruckmaier R, van der Kolk JH. Repeatability of the ACTH stimulation test as reflected by salivary cortisol response in healthy horses.. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 2016;57:43–47.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.04.002pubmed: 27565229google scholar: lookup
  32. Bohák Z, Szabó F, Beckers JF, Melo de Sousa N, Kutasi O, Nagy K, Szenci O. Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in the horse.. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 2013;45:38–42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001pubmed: 23688596google scholar: lookup
  33. Irvine CHG, Alexander SL. Factors affecting the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol concentrations in the horse.. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 1994;11:227–238.
    doi: 10.1016/0739-7240(94)90030-2pubmed: 8045104google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.