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Research in veterinary science2017; 115; 78-87; doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.024

Immunological, clinical, haematological and oxidative responses to long distance transportation in horses.

Abstract: Horses are transported frequently and often over long distances. Transportation may represent a physiological stressor with consequential health and welfare implications. This study reports the effects of a long distance journey on immunological, clinical, haematological, inflammatory and oxidative parameters in an Experimental Group (EG) of ten horses, comparing them with six horses of similar age and breed used as a non-transported Control Group (CG). Clinical examination and blood sampling were performed twice on all horses: immediately after unloading for the EG, and at rest on the same day for the CG (day 1); at rest on the same day one week later for both groups (day 7). On day 1 EG horses showed increased heart and respiratory rates (P<0.01), rectal temperature (P<0.05), capillary refilling time (P<0.01), neutrophil numbers (P<0.01), serum albumin (P<0.01), plasma total antioxidant status (P<0.01), and a lower rate of mitogen induced proliferation of lymphocytes (P<0.05), in comparison with CG. On day 7 only an increase in total serum protein (P<0.05) and serum globulins (P<0.001) was seen in the EG. No difference in serum cortisol concentration was found. Long distance transportation induced an acute phase response impairing the cell-mediated immune response. Clinical examinations, including assessing CRT and body weight loss, and the monitoring of redox balance may be useful in evaluating the impact of extensive transport events on horses. A better understanding of the link between transportation stress, the immune system and the acute phase response is likely to inform strategies for enhancing the welfare of transported horses.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-01-31 PubMed ID: 28160731DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.024Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Journal Article

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 research paper investigates the health impacts of long distance transportation on horses, underlining physiological changes such as increased heart and respiratory rates, inflammation, and impairment of the immune system reaction. The study is based on a comparison of a cohort of transported horses and a control group that did not travel.

Methodology

  • The study is based on two groups: an Experimental Group (EG) of ten horses that undertook long distance transportation, and a Control Group (CG) of six similarly aged and bred horses which did not travel.
  • Both groups were subjected to clinical examinations and blood sampling activities twice: on the day of arrival for the transported horses and on the same day for the control group (referred to as day 1); the same procedures were conducted one week later for both groups (referred to as day 7).

Findings

  • On day 1, the transported horses exhibited a significant increase in heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, capillary refilling time, neutrophil counts, serum albumin, and plasma total antioxidant status. Simultaneously, these horses displayed a decrease in mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation.
  • On day 7, increases were noted in total serum protein and serum globulins among the transported horses.
  • Despite these physiological reactions to transportation, there was no distinct contrast in serum cortisol concentration between the two groups.

Implications

  • The research shows that long distance transportation can act as a physiological stressor to horses, contributing to increased heart and respiratory rates and reducing the efficiency of the cell-mediated immune response. The transportation induced an acute phase response in the horses.
  • Clinical examinations, observing capillary refilling time and weight loss, and redox balance monitoring could serve as useful indicators for assessing transport-induced stress in horses.
  • The findings propose a critical need for further exploration in understanding the relationship between stress and immune response in horses. This would help develop strategies to improve the well-being of horses during transportation.

Cite This Article

APA
Padalino B, Raidal SL, Carter N, Celi P, Muscatello G, Jeffcott L, de Silva K. (2017). Immunological, clinical, haematological and oxidative responses to long distance transportation in horses. Res Vet Sci, 115, 78-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.024

Publication

Research in veterinary science
ISSN: 1532-2661
NlmUniqueID: 0401300
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 115
Pages: 78-87
PII: S0034-5288(17)30104-2

Researcher Affiliations

Padalino, Barbara
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia; Department of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Bari, Italy; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: barbara.padalino@sydney.edu.au.
Raidal, Sharanne Lee
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
Carter, Nicole
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Celi, Pietro
  • DSM Nutritional Products, Animal Nutrition and Health, Columbia, MD, USA; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Muscatello, Gary
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
Jeffcott, Leo
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.
de Silva, Kumudika
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Welfare
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants
  • Female
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / physiology
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Lymphocytes
  • Male
  • Neutrophils
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Stress, Physiological / physiology
  • Time Factors
  • Transportation

Citations

This article has been cited 23 times.
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