Equine urine pH: normal population distributions and methods of acidification.
Abstract: Our investigation of the urine of grazing horses at the University of Kentucky shows that the mean pH level is about 7.9, and if their diet is supplemented with grain, it is about 7.4. There appears to be no significant effect of time of day or year on urine pH levels in horses. However, horses taken from pasture and supplemented with grain in a stalled environment show a slight decrease in urine pH. Additionally, we investigated the effects of storage on pH levels. Equine urine samples appear to be quite stable with regard to pH for 48h, but then show a marked increase. Urine pH can have a great effect on the urine concentration of some drugs and therefore, uncertainties can arise when data generated in grazing horses are compared or extrapolated to racing horses whose urine pH can be quite low. In an effort to simulate the drop in urine pH seen in some racing horses, we examined the effects of ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid, lactic acid and methionine on urine pH in research horses. Both oral and intravenous routes of administration were used. Although all agents tested showed varying degrees of efficacy, oral administration of ascorbic acid proved to be the safest and most effective agent to model the rapid acidification of urine seen in post race samples.
Publication Date: 1990-03-01 PubMed ID: 2318175DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04222.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article presents a study on the average urine pH of horses and how it can be influenced by diet and substances like ascorbic acid, ammonium chloride, and methionine. It reveals that grain supplements can slightly decrease urine pH, and storage time can markedly increase it after 48 hours.
Study of Urine pH in Horses
- This research aimed to determine the average pH of horse urine, which the researchers found to be approximately 7.9 in grazing horses and 7.4 in horses with a diet supplemented with grain. This slight reduction in urine pH with grain supplementation can potentially influence how various drugs are concentrated in the horse’s urine.
- The research also found that the time of day or year does not significantly impact urine pH levels in horses. However, shifting horses from pasture to a stalled environment with grain supplementation appears to cause a small decrease in the urine pH levels.
- With regard to storage, horse urine samples were observed to maintain stable pH levels for up to 48 hours. Beyond this point, a significant increase in pH was observed.
Effects of Acidifying Agents on Horse Urine pH
- The study also sought to simulate the reduction in urine pH observed in some racing horses. To do so, they tested the effects of several agents known for their acidifying properties, including ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, and methionine. Both oral and intravenous methods were employed for the administration of these agents.
- All tested agents showed different levels of efficacy in acidifying the urine. However, among the agents studied, oral administration of ascorbic acid was found to be both the safest and most effective in quickly acidifying horse urine, similar to what is observed in samples taken after races.
Implications for Racing Horses
- The urine pH of horses can significantly impact the concentration of some drugs in their urine. This creates potential uncertainties when data from grazing horses is compared or extrapolated to racing horses, which typically present lower urine pH levels.
- Understanding these variations in urine pH can contribute to more accurate drug testing in racing horses and enable the development of better strategies for horse feeding and care strategies, particularly for racing horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Wood T, Weckman TJ, Henry PA, Chang SL, Blake JW, Tobin T.
(1990).
Equine urine pH: normal population distributions and methods of acidification.
Equine Vet J, 22(2), 118-121.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04222.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Ammonium Chloride / administration & dosage
- Ammonium Chloride / pharmacology
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage
- Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
- Circadian Rhythm
- Diet
- Edible Grain
- Female
- Horses / urine
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Infusions, Intravenous / veterinary
- Intubation, Gastrointestinal / veterinary
- Lactates / administration & dosage
- Lactates / pharmacology
- Lactic Acid
- Methionine / administration & dosage
- Methionine / pharmacology
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Reference Values
- Seasons
Citations
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