Gastric emptying of oral rehydration solutions at rest and after exercise in horses.
Abstract: We examined the gastric emptying (GE) of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) at rest and after exercise in four Standardbred horses. In one study isotonic, cold isotonic (5 degrees C), isotonic containing glucose and hypertonic fluid were tested at rest. In another study, isotonic fluid was given following a bout of treadmill exercise at 70 per cent VO2 max until exhaustion or at rest. In both studies, a single dose of 8 litres was given via nasogastric tube. GE and electrolyte concentrations (Na+, K+ and Cl-) of the stomach content were measured at 15 minutes intervals for one hour. In both studies, 90 per cent of the fluid was emptied within 15 minutes of administration. There was no treatment effect on electrolyte concentrations in either study but significant changes did occur over time. The data showed that GE is unlikely to significantly affect rehydration.
Publication Date: 1998-01-16 PubMed ID: 9429255DOI: 10.1016/s0034-5288(97)90015-1Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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.
This study investigates how quickly horses expel various types of rehydration solutions (ORS) from their stomachs both at rest and after completing exercise. They found that most of the fluid is emptied within 15 minutes, irrespective of exercise, and that stomach electrolyte levels shifted over time although these shifts were not affected by the types of rehydration solutions used.
Research Methodology
- The researchers tested four types of oral hydration solutions – isotonic, cold isotonic at 5 degrees Celsius, another with glucose and a hypertonic fluid – on four Standardbred horses at rest in one part of the study.
- In another part, isotonic fluid was given to the horses after they completed treadmill exercise at 70 per cent of their maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) until they were exhausted or at rest.
- In both parts, each horse was given a single 8-liter dose of the respective fluids through a nasogastric tube.
Procedure and Measurements
- The researchers observed the gastric emptying (GE) and the electrolyte concentrations (sodium – Na+, potassium – K+ and chloride – Cl-) in the stomach content, taking measurements at 15-minute intervals over a period of one hour.
Key Findings
- The data presented showed that 90 per cent of the fluid was emptied from the horses’ stomachs within the first 15 minutes of ingestion in both parts of the study, whether the horses were at rest or had just performed exercise.
- There was no significant difference observed in the electrolyte concentrations in the stomach content based on the type of rehydration fluid ingested.
- However, changes in electrolyte concentration were noticed over the time period, reflecting the body’s physiological adaptation to the hydration process.
Conclusion
- Based on their findings, the researchers indicated that the speed of GE is not likely to significantly impact the rehydration process in horses, given that most of the fluid is expelled quickly (within 15 minutes).
Cite This Article
APA
Sosa León LA, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.
(1998).
Gastric emptying of oral rehydration solutions at rest and after exercise in horses.
Res Vet Sci, 63(2), 183-187.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0034-5288(97)90015-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chlorides / analysis
- Fluid Therapy / veterinary
- Gastric Emptying / physiology
- Glucose / pharmacology
- Horses / physiology
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Potassium / analysis
- Random Allocation
- Rehydration Solutions / pharmacokinetics
- Rest / physiology
- Sodium / analysis
- Stomach / chemistry
- Temperature
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Crabtree NE, Epstein KL. Current Concepts in Fluid Therapy in Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:648774.
- Steinmann M, Bezugley RJ, Bond SL, Pomrantz JS, Léguillette R. A wireless endoscopy capsule suitable for imaging of the equine stomach and small intestine.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jul;34(4):1622-1630.
- Walker WT, Callan RJ, Hill AE, Tisher KB. Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume, plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride.. Can Vet J 2014 Aug;55(8):765-71.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
