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American journal of veterinary research2000; 61(7); 784-790; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.784

Evaluation of diet as a cause of gastric ulcers in horses.

Abstract: To measure pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, and lactate concentrations in stomach contents and determine number and severity of gastric lesions in horses fed bromegrass hay and alfalfa hay-grain diets. Methods: Six 7-year-old horses. Methods: A gastric cannula was inserted in each horse. Horses were fed each diet, using a randomized crossover design. Stomach contents were collected immediately after feeding and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours after feeding on day 14. The pH and VFA and lactate concentrations were measured in gastric juice Number and severity of gastric lesions were scored during endoscopic examinations. Results: The alfalfa hay-grain diet caused significantly higher pH in gastric juice during the first 5 hours after feeding, compared with that for bromegrass hay. Concentrations of acetic, propionic, and isovaleric acid were significantly higher in gastric juice, and number and severity of nonglandular squamous gastric lesions were significantly lower in horses fed alfalfa hay-grain. Valeric acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid concentrations and pH were useful in predicting severity of nonglandular squamous gastric lesions in horses fed alfalfa hay-grain, whereas valeric acid concentrations and butyric acid were useful in predicting severity of those lesions in horses fed bromegrass hay. Conclusions: An alfalfa hay-grain diet induced significantly higher pH and VFA concentrations in gastric juice than did bromegrass hay. However, number and severity of nonglandular squamous gastric lesions were significantly lower in horses fed alfalfa hay-grain. An alfalfa hay-grain diet may buffer stomach acid in horses.
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Publication Date: 2000-07-15 PubMed ID: 10895901DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.784Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research article explores the impact of diet on gastric ulcers in horses, particularly comparing the implications of a bromegrass hay diet and an alfalfa hay-grain diet on the pH levels, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and gastric lesions.

Research Methods

  • The study conducted its tests using six 7-year-old horses and inserted a gastric cannula into each horse. The horses were fed each diet, under a randomized crossover design.
  • Stomach contents from the horses were collected at numerous intervals after feeding on the 14th day of the experiment.
  • The pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA), and lactate concentrations were assessed in the stomach juice. Additionally, an endoscopic examination was conducted to score the number and severity of gastric lesions in the horses.

Key Findings

  • The results indicated that the alfalfa hay-grain diet led to a significantly higher pH level in the gastric juice during the first 5 hours after feeding as compared to the bromegrass hay diet.
  • Furthermore, the concentrations of specific VFAs (acetic, propionic, and isovaleric acid) were notably higher in the stomach juice of horses fed the alfalfa hay-grain diet.
  • The alfalfa hay-grain diet also resulted in a significantly lower number and severity of nonglandular squamous gastric lesions in comparison with the bromegrass hay diet.
  • The study found that the concentrations of valeric acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid, along with pH levels, were significant in predicting the severity of gastric lesions in horses fed the alfalfa hay-grain diet. Meanwhile, for the horses fed the bromegrass hay diet, valeric acid and butyric acid concentrations were key in predicting the severity of the lesions.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that an alfalfa hay-grain diet resulted in higher pH and VFA concentrations in the gastric juice of horses, in contrast to a bromegrass hay diet.
  • The number and severity of nonglandular squamous gastric lesions were notably reduced on an alfalfa hay-grain diet, suggesting that such a diet may have a ‘buffering’ effect against stomach acid in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Nadeau JA, Andrews FM, Mathew AG, Argenzio RA, Blackford JT, Sohtell M, Saxton AM. (2000). Evaluation of diet as a cause of gastric ulcers in horses. Am J Vet Res, 61(7), 784-790. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.784

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 7
Pages: 784-790

Researcher Affiliations

Nadeau, J A
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071, USA.
Andrews, F M
    Mathew, A G
      Argenzio, R A
        Blackford, J T
          Sohtell, M
            Saxton, A M

              MeSH Terms

              • Animal Feed / adverse effects
              • Animal Feed / analysis
              • Animals
              • Chromatography, Gas / veterinary
              • Cross-Over Studies
              • Endoscopy, Digestive System / veterinary
              • Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis
              • Female
              • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
              • Gastrointestinal Contents / chemistry
              • Horse Diseases / etiology
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
              • Lactic Acid / analysis
              • Random Allocation
              • Regression Analysis
              • Stomach Ulcer / etiology
              • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
              • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary

              Citations

              This article has been cited 18 times.
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