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Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine2021; 43; e000321; doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000321

Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on some physical and blood parameters in horses kept outdoors under natural conditions. Twenty horses were deprived of food for 48 h. They were closely monitored and examined, and blood samples were taken at the beginning (0) of the experiment and 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours afterward. During the experimental period, the control group (12 animals) had free access to water and hay, while the restricted group had free access to water only. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, and statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. The horses tolerated feed restriction without complications. Feed restriction had no effect on body mass and body condition score, heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary filling time and body temperature. However, feed restriction decreased the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds (P<0.05) compared to the control horses. Feed restriction did not cause any changes in erythrocyte variables and gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinine, total protein, and albumin concentrations. During fasting, there was a reduction in the leukocyte response (P<0.05). Feed restriction significantly raised the levels of blood urea nitrogen (24 to 48 hours), aspartate aminotransferase (36 to 48 hours) and total cholesterol (42 to 48 hours). During 48 hours of fasting, there was a continuous increase in triglyceride concentration. Feed restriction for 48 h had a marked effect on the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds and was responsible for important metabolic changes in the healthy horses of our sample. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da restrição alimentar sobre parâmetros físicos e sanguíneos em equinos mantidos a pasto de Tifton (Cynodon spp) e em condições naturais. Vinte cavalos foram privados de alimento por 48 h. Eles foram monitorados, examinados e amostras de sangue foram coletadas no início (0) do experimento e 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 e 48 horas depois. Durante o período experimental, o grupo controle (12 animais) teve livre acesso a água e feno, enquanto o grupo restrito teve livre acesso apenas a água. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância bidirecional com medidas repetidas e a significância estatística foi P ≤ 0,05. Os cavalos toleraram a restrição alimentar sem complicações. A restrição alimentar por 48 h não teve efeito sobre a massa corporal e escore de condição corporal, frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, tempo de enchimento capilar e temperatura corporal. No entanto, o jejum alimentar diminuiu a intensidade dos sons gastrointestinais (P <0,05) em comparação com os cavalos do grupo controle. Não houve alteração nas variáveis eritrocitárias e nas concentrações de gama glutamil transferase, creatinina, proteína total e albumina. Durante o jejum, houve redução da resposta leucocitária (P <0,05) e, aumento significativo dos níveis de nitrogênio uréico no sangue (24 a 48 horas), aspartato aminotransferase (36 a 48 horas) e colesterol total (42 a 48 horas). Durante 48 horas de jejum alimentar, houve aumento contínuo da concentração de triglicerídeos. A restrição alimentar por 48 h teve um efeito marcante na intensidade dos sons gastrointestinais e foi responsável por importantes alterações metabólicas em cavalos saudáveis.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-22 PubMed ID: 35749104PubMed Central: PMC9179197DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000321Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 examines the effects of fasting in horses, including changes to physical and blood parameters, with the aim of understanding the physiological consequences of food deprivation. The researchers found that while horses tolerated a 48-hour fasting period without overt issues, fasting led to noticeable changes in metabolic parameters and gastrointestinal sounds.

Methodology

  • Twenty horses were subjected to a 48-hour food deprivation period, while a control group of 12 horses were given free access to water and hay.
  • Physical examinations and blood samples were conducted and collected at regular intervals (every 6 hours) during the study.
  • Data collected were subjected to two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, with a statistical significance threshold of P ≤ 0.05.

Results

  • Physical parameters such as body mass, body condition score, heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary filling time, and body temperature were unaffected by feed restriction.
  • The intensity of gastrointestinal sounds was reduced in fasting horses (P<0.05) compared to the control group.
  • Feed restriction had no detected influence on erythrocyte variables or the concentrations of gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinine, total protein, and albumin in the blood.
  • During fasting, there was a reduction in the leukocyte response (P<0.05).
  • Significant increases were observed in the levels of blood urea nitrogen (24 to 48 hours), aspartate aminotransferase (36 to 48 hours), and total cholesterol (42 to 48 hours) in fasting horses.
  • A continuous increase in triglyceride concentration was recorded over the 48-hour fast.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that while horses can tolerate short-term food deprivation, feed restriction for 48 hours influences the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds and instigates significant metabolic changes.
  • These findings can be used as a reference in situations where horses might need to be temporarily deprived of food for veterinary procedures or transportation.

Cite This Article

APA
Filippo PAD, Duarte BR, Albernaz AP, Quirino CR. (2021). Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses. Braz J Vet Med, 43, e000321. https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000321

Publication

Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine
ISSN: 2527-2179
NlmUniqueID: 9918435088106676
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 43
Pages: e000321
PII: e000321

Researcher Affiliations

Filippo, Paula Alessandra Di
  • Veterinarian, DSc., Laboratório de Clínicas e Cirurgia Animal (LCCA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
Duarte, Barbara Ribeiro
  • Veterinarian, MSc., Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), UENF, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
Albernaz, Antônio Peixoto
  • Veterinarian, DSc., Laboratório de Clínicas e Cirurgia Animal (LCCA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.
Quirino, Célia Raquel
  • Veterinarian, DSc., Laboratório de Reprodução e Melhoramento Genético Animal (LRMGA), UENF, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brasil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflicts of interest: No conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Melo UP, Palhares MS, Ferreira C, Leme FOP, Gheller VA. Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid-base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy. Braz J Vet Med 2022;44:e003222.
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  2. Costa MHDS, Medeiros PR, Melo UP, de Souza RF, da Silva GEL, Ferreira C, de Assis DB, da Silva LP, de Brito EL. Survey on the recognition, attitudes, and experience of horse owners during episodes of equine colic in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2022;44:e003022.
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  3. Ferreira C, Palhares MS, de Melo UP, Leme FOP, Maranhão RPA, Garcia HC, Gheller VA. Effects of total parenteral nutrition and electrolyte solutions with or without glutamine on the hormonal profiles of horses subjected to exploratory laparotomy. Braz J Vet Med 2026;48:e005725.
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  4. Mahmoud AAE, Elsayed HK, Hussein HA. Ultrasound measurements of croup fat thickness and liver echogenicity as indicators for lipomobilization in donkeys (Equus Africanus asinus) with fasting-induced hyperlipidemia. BMC Vet Res 2025 Sep 9;21(1):534.
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