Effects of crude protein intake from forage-only diets on muscle amino acids and glycogen levels in horses in training.
Abstract: There is little information about the influence of crude protein (CP) intake on glycogen and free pool amino acid concentrations in the muscle of horses in training. High energy forage-only diets may be an alternative to concentrate rich diets and may provide high levels of CP. Objective: To study the effect of feeding 2 forage-only diets, containing either high or moderate CP concentrations on glycogen and free pool amino acid concentrations in the muscle. Methods: Two high energy forage-only diets based on high-energy grass forage were fed for 23 days in a crossover design to 6 Standardbred horses in racing condition. One forage diet provided a high (HP) CP (16.6%) intake and the other diet provided recommended intake (RP) of CP (12.5%). At Day 19 a standardised treadmill test was performed to mimic a race. Blood samples were taken before, during and after (up to 90 min) the treadmill test and muscle biopsies (m. gluteus) were taken before and after exercise and after 90 min. Amino acids were analysed with a HPLC-technique and glycogen with a fluorimetric method. Results: A main effect of the HP diet was that muscle glycogen and leucine concentrations were higher compared to the RP diet. Branched chain amino acid concentrations in plasma remained higher during early recovery from exercise on the HP diet compared to the RP diet. Intense exercise caused a similar decrease in glycogen, aspartate and glutamate concentrations in muscle and increase in alanine concentration on both diets. Conclusions: Feeding a forage-only diet with a high CP intake increases glycogen and leucine concentrations in muscle of horses in training. This may be beneficial for muscle recovery following intensive exercise.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059028DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00283.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article focuses on the impact of crude protein intake, derived from forage-only diets, on the levels of glycogen and amino acids in the muscles of horses undergoing training. The study finds that higher protein intake can result in increased muscle glycogen and leucine concentrations, potentially supporting speedy muscle recovery post intense exercise.
Research Objective and Methods
- The primary objective of the investigation was to understand the influence of two forage-only diets, differing in crude protein (CP) percentages, on muscle glycogen and free pool amino acid levels.
- The subjects were six Standardbred horses in racing condition, fed on these diets over a span of 23 days, with a crossover design.
- One diet provided a high CP intake (16.6%) while the other offered a recommended intake (12.5%).
- A standardized treadmill test mimicking a race was conducted on day 19.
- Blood samples were collected before, during, and 90 minutes following the treadmill test. Muscle biopsies were taken at the same intervals.
- Amino acid levels were analyzed using HPLC-techniques, and glycogen levels were measured via a fluorimetric method.
Key Findings
- The result showed that feeding a diet rich in CP resulted in higher muscle glycogen and leucine levels compared to diets with recommended protein intake.
- During early recovery from strenuous exercise, horses on high protein diets maintained higher plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids compared to those on the recommended protein diet.
- Intense exercise led to similar reductions in muscle glycogen, aspartate, and glutamate concentrations, and increased alanine levels in horses on both types of forage-only diets.
Research Conclusion
- The research concludes that forage-only diets rich in crude protein can result in enhanced glycogen and leucine concentrations in the muscle of training horses.
- This dietary approach can potentially be beneficial for faster and better muscle recovery following high-intensity exercise.
Cite This Article
APA
Essén-Gustavsson B, Connysson M, Jansson A.
(2011).
Effects of crude protein intake from forage-only diets on muscle amino acids and glycogen levels in horses in training.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 341-346.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00283.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. birgitta.essén-gustavsson@kv.slu.se
MeSH Terms
- Amino Acids / chemistry
- Amino Acids / metabolism
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Cross-Over Studies
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Proteins / analysis
- Dietary Proteins / pharmacology
- Glycogen / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
- Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Plant Proteins / chemistry
- Plant Proteins / metabolism
- Poaceae / chemistry
- Silage / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Jansson A, Harris P, Davey SL, Luthersson N, Ragnarsson S, Ringmark S. Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses-Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 24;11(8).
- Zhang D, Liu H, Wang S, Zhang W, Wang J, Tian H, Wang Y, Ji H. Fecal Microbiota and Its Correlation With Fatty Acids and Free Amino Acids Metabolism in Piglets After a Lactobacillus Strain Oral Administration. Front Microbiol 2019;10:785.
- Nostell KE, Essén-Gustavsson B, Bröjer JT. Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose alters the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred trotters. Acta Vet Scand 2012 Feb 1;54(1):7.
- Nilsson E, Moazzami AA, Lindberg JE, Jansson A. The metabolomic profile of a high starch versus no starch diet in athletic horses. Sci Rep 2025 Oct 13;15(1):35576.
- Johansson L, Ringmark S, Bergquist J, Skiöldebrand E, Jansson A. A metabolomics perspective on 2 years of high-intensity training in horses. Sci Rep 2024 Jan 25;14(1):2139.
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