Iron profile in Thoroughbreds during a standard training program.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications of some haematological parameters and iron profile during an 80-day training program and their relationship with athletic performance of performance horses. Methods: During the training period, 20 Thoroughbreds were subjected to a standardised exercise test, previously standardised for gallopers to evaluate athletic performance. The test was performed immediately before the beginning of the training program (T0) and after 30 days (T30), 60 days (T60) and 90 days (T90). For each horse, their velocities at blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol/L (V2 and V4) and a heart rate of 200 beats/min (V200) were calculated to assess the effect of the training program on athletic performance. Blood samples were collected at 20-day intervals over a period of 80 days from the beginning of the training program. Results: One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant effect of days of training (time) on iron, ferritin, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: The results showed the influence of the intensity and duration of exercise on iron metabolism. These findings may be useful for evaluating the athletic status of horses during training and to assess the degree of training adaptability, providing an opportunity to modify the training schedule to achieve the desired performance.
© 2016 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2016-02-26 PubMed ID: 26914950DOI: 10.1111/avj.12413Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper investigates the changes in certain blood parameters and iron levels in Thoroughbreds during an 80-day standard training program, and their connection with the horses’ athletic performance.
Research Methodology
- The study observes a group of 20 Thoroughbreds undergoing a normal exercise schedule created specifically for gallopers. This training program is executed over 80 days, divided into stages at 30 days (T30), 60 days (T60), and 90 days (T90).
- The exercise routine is standardized in order to enable the consistent evaluation of the athletes’ performance over the course of the study. Each horse undergoes the exercise test at the start of the program (T0) and then at each subsequent stage.
- The horses’ athletic performance is determined by measuring their velocities at blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol/L (V2 and V4) and a heart rate of 200 beats/min (V200).
- Blood samples were collected from the horses at 20-day intervals in order to monitor the changes taking place during the course of the training program.
Findings of the Research
- The statistical analysis of the collected data revealed a significant effect of the number of training days (time) on several values related to iron metabolism, including iron levels, ferritin, transferrin, total iron-binding capacities, transferrin saturation, and unsaturated iron-binding capacities.
- All the above-mentioned parameters showed statistically noticeable changes, showing that the duration and intensity of the exercises had impacts on iron metabolism in the Thoroughbreds.
Conclusion
- The findings reveal the considerable influence of exercise duration and intensity on iron metabolisms in Thoroughbreds.
- This knowledge could be particularly valuable for assessing a horse’s athletic status during training and gauges its adaptability to the training plan.
- Consequently, these observations could also be used to make modifications to the training schedule to achieve the desired performance outcome.
Cite This Article
APA
Assenza A, Casella S, Giannetto C, Fazio F, Tosto F, Piccione G.
(2016).
Iron profile in Thoroughbreds during a standard training program.
Aust Vet J, 94(3), 60-63.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12413 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. stefania.casella@unime.it.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Female
- Ferritins / blood
- Gait / physiology
- Hematologic Tests / veterinary
- Horses / blood
- Iron / blood
- Iron / metabolism
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Transferrin / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Satué K, Fazio E, La Fauci D, Medica P. Hematological indexes and iron status in pregnant mares. Arch Anim Breed 2023;66(3):197-205.
- Ghio AJ, Soukup JM, Ghio C, Gordon CJ, Richards JE, Schladweiler MC, Snow SJ, Kodavanti UP. Iron and zinc homeostases in female rats with physically active and sedentary lifestyles. Biometals 2021 Feb;34(1):97-105.
- Kiełbik P, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. Iron Status in Sport Horses: Is It Important for Equine Athletes?. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jun 12;26(12).
- Johansson L, Ringmark S, Bergquist J, Skiöldebrand E, Widgren A, Jansson A. A proteomics perspective on 2 years of high-intensity training in horses: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2024 Oct 10;14(1):23684.
- Sawesi OK, Elbaz AK, Mahmoud AS, Duro EM, Alteab AA, Milad KK, Bennuor EM. Hematological reference values of horses in Western Libya and their relationship to breed, age, and management. Open Vet J 2023 Dec;13(12):1696-1707.
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