Immunological response to long-term transport stress in mature horses and effects of adaptogenic dietary supplementation as an immunomodulator.
Abstract: Little information exists on the immunological effects of transport or the use of supplements to minimise transport stress. Objective: To establish baseline ranges and evaluate immunophenotypic and functional changes associated with transport and a nutritional 'adaptogen' supplement. Methods: Horses received either supplement (n = 10) or placebos (n = 9) during the 30 day study. After 28 days in stalls, 12 horses (6 supplement; 6 placebo) were transported for 24 h, then unloaded and recovered. Venous blood samples were collected on Days 1, 14 and 28 to establish baselines, and on Days 28, 29 and 30 to examine changes during transport and recovery. Results: Transport prompted elevations (P<0.05) in cortisol concentration, neutrophil count and white blood cell counts, while lymphocyte subpopulation counts (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD21+) decreased (P<0.05). Normal phenotypic lymphocyte profiles returned within 24 h of recovery. Supplement effects on immunophenotype (CD21+ and CD8+) were observed in stabled horses (P<0.05), but not in transported horses. Conclusions: These results provide insights into the immunological mechanisms associated with long-term transport. Conclusions: The existence of a small window of immunological uncertainty follows long-term transportation, enhancing the potential risk of infectious disease in susceptible individuals.
Publication Date: 2004-12-08 PubMed ID: 15581322DOI: 10.2746/0425164044864589Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explores the impact of long-term transport stress on horses’ immune systems and studies the potential effects of an “adaptogenic” dietary supplement to ease this stress. The results point towards a brief period of immune vulnerability post-transport, potentially increasing the risk of infection.
Introduction and Methodology
- The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of long-term transport stress on mature horses. Simultaneously, it sought to explore the potential benefits of a dietary supplement known as an ‘adaptogen’ to act as an immunomodulator and mitigate the stress.
- For the study, horses were assigned to either the supplement group (n=10) or the placebo group (n=9) over a duration of 30 days.
- After staying in stalls for 28 days, 12 of these horses, with an equal distribution from both groups, were subjected to transport for 24 hours, followed by a recovery period.
- Venous blood samples were collected on Days 1, 14, and 28 to establish baseline ranges. Subsequent samples were then collected on Days 28, 29, and 30 to assess any changes occurring due to the transport and recovery period.
Results and Observations
- The transport stress led to significant increases in cortisol concentration, neutrophil count, and white blood cell counts. There was a noticeable drop in lymphocyte subpopulation counts (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD21+).
- Normal lymphocyte profiles returned within 24 hours of recovery.
- The effect of the adaptogenic supplement on immunophenotypes (CD21+ and CD8+) was observable in horses that were stabled, but the same results weren’t seen in transported horses.
Conclusions
- The study offers valuable insights into immunological mechanisms associated with long-term transport stress in horses.
- Following long-term transportation, there is a brief period of “immunological uncertainty” wherein horses are potentially at increased risk of catching infectious diseases.
- More research may be needed to ascertain the effectiveness of adaptogenic supplements in supporting immunity during transportation stress as the observed effects were limited to stabled horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Stull CL, Spier SJ, Aldridge BM, Blanchard M, Stott JL.
(2004).
Immunological response to long-term transport stress in mature horses and effects of adaptogenic dietary supplementation as an immunomodulator.
Equine Vet J, 36(7), 583-589.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044864589 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Extension, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dietary Supplements
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / immunology
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Immunologic Factors / blood
- Immunologic Factors / immunology
- Leukocyte Count / veterinary
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Neutrophils / immunology
- Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
- Random Allocation
- Stress, Physiological / immunology
- Stress, Physiological / prevention & control
- Stress, Physiological / veterinary
- T-Lymphocytes / immunology
- Transportation
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Schmucker S, Preisler V, Marr I, Krüger K, Stefanski V. Single housing but not changes in group composition causes stress-related immunomodulations in horses. PLoS One 2022;17(8):e0272445.
- Miller AB, Harris PA, Barker VD, Adams AA. Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune function in aged horses. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0254139.
- Smith FL, Watson JL, Spier SJ, Kilcoyne I, Mapes S, Sonder C, Pusterla N. Frequency of shedding of respiratory pathogens in horses recently imported to the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1436-1441.
- Padalino B, Raidal SL, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. Behaviour during transportation predicts stress response and lower airway contamination in horses. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0194272.
- Padalino B, Hall E, Raidal S, Celi P, Knight P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. Health Problems and Risk Factors Associated with Long Haul Transport of Horses in Australia. Animals (Basel) 2015 Dec 10;5(4):1296-310.
- Kol A, Wood JA, Carrade Holt DD, Gillette JA, Bohannon-Worsley LK, Puchalski SM, Walker NJ, Clark KC, Watson JL, Borjesson DL. Multiple intravenous injections of allogeneic equine mesenchymal stem cells do not induce a systemic inflammatory response but do alter lymphocyte subsets in healthy horses. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015 Apr 15;6(1):73.
- Fazio E, Medica P, Aronica V, Grasso L, Ferlazzo A. Circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances. Acta Vet Scand 2008 Mar 3;50(1):6.
- Share ER, Mastellar SL, Suagee-Bedore JK, Eastridge ML. Validation of a Commercial ELISA Kit for Non-Invasive Measurement of Biologically Relevant Changes in Equine Cortisol Concentrations. Animals (Basel) 2024 Oct 1;14(19).
- Arrigo F, Aragona F, Faggio C, Giudice E, Giannetto C, Piccione G, Rizzo M, Arfuso F. Monitoring the physiological inflammatory alertness in horse after road transport. Vet Res Commun 2024 Oct;48(5):3331-3338.
- Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, Courtman N, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):333-346.
- Xia C, Duan C, Chen C, Yang X, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Ma Y. The Effects of Electrolytic Multivitamins and Neomycin on Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Damage in Transported Lambs. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 7;14(6).
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