Effects of training on the development of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in horses.
Abstract: To compare the development of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in horses before and after training, and to determine whether increases in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) following training results in a greater degree of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia. Methods: 13 three- to five-year-old. Standardbred geldings without clinical signs of respiratory or cardiovascular disorders. Methods: Horses were rested for 4 months prior to commencing a 16-week training program. Arterial blood was collected from the transverse facial artery during standardized exercise tests performed before and after 8 and 16 weeks of training. Variables measured during exercise tests included arterial blood gas tensions and VO2max. Training and testing was performed on a treadmill set at a 10% slope. Results: Minimum arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) during exercise decreased from 83.3 +/- 1.5 mm of Hg before training to 77.8 +/- 1.0 mm of Hg after 16 weeks of training. Maximum arterial oxygen content increased from 239.2 +/- 3.1 to 257.9 +/- 3.8 ml/L, which resulted from an increase in hemoglobin concentration. The VO2max increased by 19% following training. Minimum values of PaO2 and arterial oxygen saturation were significantly correlated with VO2max when data from each stage of training were pooled. Calculated values for minimum alveolar oxygen tension decreased after 8 weeks of training, and alveolar ventilation increased at the end of training. Alveolar-arterial oxygen tension of difference increased by 4 mm of Hg following training. Conclusions: In trained horses, an increase in VO2max is associated with a decrease in minimum PaO2, during intense exercise and is mostly attributable to an increase in the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference. Therefore, interpretation of blood gas data from exercising horses should take into consideration VO2max.
Publication Date: 1997-06-01 PubMed ID: 9185975
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explores the impact of training on the occurrence of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in horses. Specifically, the study examines whether training-induced improvements in maximum oxygen usage (VO2max) could lead to an increased rate of this condition.
Training and Testing Context
- The study involved 13 three- to five-year-old Standardbred geldings, with no apparent signs of respiratory or cardiovascular disorders.
- Prior to the start of the study, all horses were given a rest period of 4 months.
- The horses then underwent a 16-week training program, with arterial blood samples taken before and after training at 8- and 16-week intervals.
- Training and testing were carried out on a treadmill on a 10% incline.
Findings from the Study
- After 16 weeks of training, minimum arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) during exercise decreased from 83.3 +/- 1.5 mm of Hg to 77.8 +/- 1.0 mm of Hg.
- The maximum arterial oxygen content saw an increase from 239.2 +/- 3.1 to 257.9 +/- 3.8 ml/L, which resulted from an increase in concentration of hemoglobin.
- The maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased by 19% after training.
- Notably, minimum values of PaO2 and arterial oxygen saturation were significantly correlated with VO2max when data from every stage of training were combined.
- Values for minimum alveolar oxygen tension decreased after 8 weeks of training while alveolar ventilation increased at the end of training.
- There was an increase in the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension by 4 mm of Hg after training.
Conclusions drawn from the Study
- The study concluded that in trained horses, there’s a connection between an increase in VO2max and a decrease in PaO2 during intense exercise, largely due to an increase in alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference.
- As a result, the interpretation of blood gas data from exercising horses should consider the VO2max.
Cite This Article
APA
Christley RM, Hodgson DR, Evans DL, Rose RJ.
(1997).
Effects of training on the development of exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 58(6), 653-657.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Gas Analysis
- Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Hypoxia / etiology
- Hypoxia / physiopathology
- Hypoxia / veterinary
- Linear Models
- Male
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Bessonnat A, Hélie P, Grimes C, Lavoie JP. Airway remodeling in horses with mild and moderate asthma.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Jan;36(1):285-291.
- Katz LM, Stallard J, Holtby A, Hill EW, Allen K, Sweeney J. Inspiratory muscle training in young, race-fit Thoroughbred racehorses during a period of detraining.. PLoS One 2020;15(4):e0225559.
- Kim DH, Lee HG, Sp N, Kang DY, Jang KJ, Lee HK, Cho BW, Yang YM. Validation of exercise-response genes in skeletal muscle cells of Thoroughbred racing horses.. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2021 Jan 1;34(1):134-142.
- Ringmark S, Lindholm A, Hedenström U, Lindinger M, Dahlborn K, Kvart C, Jansson A. Reduced high intensity training distance had no effect on VLa4 but attenuated heart rate response in 2-3-year-old Standardbred horses.. Acta Vet Scand 2015 Mar 20;57(1):17.
- Perez-Moreno CI, Couëtil LL, Pratt SM, Ochoa-Acuña HG, Raskin RE, Russell MA. Effect of furosemide and furosemide-carbazochrome combination on exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in Standardbred racehorses.. Can Vet J 2009 Aug;50(8):821-7.
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