Equine sweat composition: effects of adrenaline infusion, exercise and training.
Abstract: Significant alterations in plasma electrolyte concentrations have been reported in horses following prolonged exercise, resulting from loss of hypertonic sweat. Sweat was collected from 10 horses undergoing a 10 week training programme; 5 at moderate intensity, to speeds of 10 m/s and 5 at low intensity, to speeds of 5 m/s. Sweat was collected from 2 sites in response to a submaximal exercise test (30 min at 50% VO2max and during an adrenaline infusion (dose mean +/- s.d.; 0.3 +/- 0.05 g/kg over 30 min). Sweat samples were analysed for sodium, chloride, potassium, protein, magnesium, calcium and urea concentrations. Sweat produced in response to exercise and adrenaline infusion was hypertonic and showed no significant differences in composition following training. However, the [NaCl] of sweat rose with increased duration of sweating. Sweat produced in response to adrenaline infusion was more dilute than that produced in response to exercise, which may be related to sympathetic outflow during exercise.
Publication Date: 1995-11-01 PubMed ID: 8933100DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05023.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates how adrenaline infusion, exercise, and training alter the electrolyte composition of sweat in horses. The study shows that sweat produced during these conditions is highly concentrated, and its composition does not significantly change, even after training. However, the concentration of sodium and chloride in sweat increases with the duration of sweating.
Objective of the Research
- The main aim of this research was to study the effects of adrenaline infusion, exercise, and training on the composition of horse sweat. The research sought to understand how these factors alter the electrolyte concentrations in sweat. It was also interested in how sweat composition changes after consistent training.
Methodology
- The study was conducted on 10 horses undergoing a 10-week training programme. Five of these horses were subjected to moderate-intensity training to speeds of 10 m/s, and the other 5 to low-intensity training to speeds of 5 m/s.
- Sweat was collected from two different sites on these horses. The first occasion was during a submaximal exercise test where the horses were made to exercise for 30 minutes at 50% of their maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max). The second occasion was during an adrenaline infusion, where adrenaline was infused at a dose mean of 0.3 g/kg over 30 minutes.
- The collected sweat samples were then analyzed for various components, including sodium, chloride, potassium, protein, magnesium, calcium, and urea concentrations.
Findings
- The study observed that the sweat produced in response to both exercise and adrenaline infusion was hypertonic, meaning it had a higher concentration of electrolytes than normal.
- No significant differences were found in the sweat composition following the training period, indicating that training did not significantly affect the electrolyte composition of sweat.
- The concentration of sodium chloride ([NaCl]) in the sweat increased as the duration of sweating increased.
- The sweat produced in response to adrenaline infusion was more dilute than that produced in response to exercise, suggesting that the body’s sympathetic system’s response during exercise might cause this difference.
Conclusion
- The research suggests that both exercise and adrenaline infusions alter the electrolyte composition of sweat in horses, making it more concentrated. Even with regular training, this composition does not significantly change. However, the longer a horse perspires, the higher the sodium and chloride concentration in the sweat. Additionally, the study shows a difference in sweat concentration in response to adrenaline infusion and exercise.
Cite This Article
APA
McConaghy FF, Hodgson DR, Evans DL, Rose RJ.
(1995).
Equine sweat composition: effects of adrenaline infusion, exercise and training.
Equine Vet J Suppl(20), 158-164.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb05023.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Health, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Temperature
- Electrolytes / analysis
- Epinephrine / administration & dosage
- Epinephrine / pharmacology
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Humidity
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Proteins / analysis
- Random Allocation
- Sweat / chemistry
- Sympathomimetics / administration & dosage
- Sympathomimetics / pharmacology
- Temperature
- Urea / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Lindinger MI. Oral Electrolyte and Water Supplementation in Horses.. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 10;9(11).
- Larsson J, Pilborg PH, Johansen M, Christophersen MT, Holte A, Roepstorff L, Olsen LH, Harrison AP. Physiological parameters of endurance horses pre- compared to post-race, correlated with performance: a two race study from scandinavia.. ISRN Vet Sci 2013;2013:684353.
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