Factors influencing pre-race serum concentration of total carbon dioxide in Thoroughbred horses racing in California.
Abstract: Many racing jurisdictions monitor pre-race serum concentration of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) among racing horses. To our knowledge, factors influencing concentration of TCO2 among horses participating in racing have not been systematically evaluated and reported. Objective: To determine if characteristics of horses and racing conditions routinely recorded were significantly associated with pre-race concentration of TCO2, while accounting for and estimating effects of trainer and horse. Methods: Pre-race serum TCO2 concentrations from 5028 starts made by 2,349 horses trained by 287 trainers at 2 racetracks in California during 2005 were examined. Data regarding characteristics of starters and race conditions obtained from a commercial database were recorded for each start. Data were analysed using mixed-effects, with TCO2 concentration as the dependent variable, and trainer and horse nested within trainer as random effects. Results: Sex, class and distance of race, frusemide administration and cloudy weather conditions were significantly (P<0.001) associated with pre-race TCO2 concentration. Horses that finished in the top 3 positions had values that were slightly (0.2 mmol/) but significantly (P<0.001) greater than horses not finishing in the top 3. There were significant effects of trainer on pre-race TCO2 concentration. Conclusions: A variety of factors may influence pre-race TCO2 concentration in horses. Horses with better performance tend to have higher pre-race TCO2 concentrations. Conclusions: TCO2 concentration is associated with improved performance although the magnitude of effect was quite small. Regulatory programmes based on monitoring should consider the influence of other factors on TCO2 concentration.
Publication Date: 2006-11-28 PubMed ID: 17124845DOI: 10.2746/042516406x156479Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research aims to identify the factors that influence the pre-race serum concentration of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in Thoroughbred horses that participate in races. It concluded that a variety of factors, including sex, class and distance of race, medication, and weather may influence pre-race TCO2 levels. The research also found a slight but significant correlation between higher TCO2 concentrations and better racing performance.
Research Objective
- The main goal of this study was to investigate the variables that might significantly affect the pre-race serum concentration of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in Thoroughbred horses used for racing.
Methods
- The researchers examined pre-race serum TCO2 levels from 5028 starts made by 2,349 horses that were trained by 287 trainers at 2 race tracks in California in 2005.
- Data about the horses’ characteristics and racing conditions were recorded for each start and these were obtained from a commercial database.
- A mixed-effects model was then used to analyze this data. The TCO2 concentration was the dependent variable, while trainer and horse were accounted for as random effects.
Results
- The results found that variables such as the horse’s sex, the class and distance of the race, administration of the medication frusemide, and cloudy weather conditions were all significantly associated with the pre-race TCO2 concentration.
- Horses that finished in the top 3 positions had TCO2 levels that were slightly (0.2 mmol/l) but significantly higher than those horses that did not finish in the top 3.
- Furthermore, the trainer’s influence was found to have significant effects on pre-race TCO2 concentration.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that a variety of factors can influence pre-race TCO2 concentration in horses.
- It was also observed that horses that performed better tend to have higher pre-race TCO2 concentrations.
- The study suggested that regulatory programs that monitor the TCO2 level should consider other influencing factors as well.
Cite This Article
APA
Cohen ND, Stanley SD, Arthur RM, Wang N.
(2006).
Factors influencing pre-race serum concentration of total carbon dioxide in Thoroughbred horses racing in California.
Equine Vet J, 38(6), 543-548.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406x156479 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4475, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Bicarbonates / administration & dosage
- Carbon Dioxide / blood
- Diuretics / therapeutic use
- Doping in Sports
- Female
- Furosemide / therapeutic use
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Reference Values
- Sports
- Weather
Grant Funding
- R01 CA074552 / NCI NIH HHS
- R01 CA074552-10A1 / NCI NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Dirikolu L, Waller P, Waguespack ML, Andrews FM, Keowen ML, Gaunt SD. The effect of sodium bicarbonate and validation of beckman coulter AU680 analyzers for measuring total carbon dioxide (TCO(2)) concentrations in horse serum. Vet Med Sci 2017 Nov;3(4):263-269.
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