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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Local airborne particulate concentration is associated with ...
Equine veterinary journal2012; 45(1); 85-90; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00568.x

Local airborne particulate concentration is associated with visible tracheal mucus in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: Accumulations of tracheal mucus assessed by endoscopic examination are associated with poor performance in racehorses. The air quality in horses' stalls may contribute to this visible tracheal mucus. Objective: To determine whether the concentration and number of airborne particulates in stalls are associated with visible accumulations of tracheal mucus and with the number of inflammatory cells in tracheal aspirates. Methods: We studied 107 racehorses from 3 stables, in 3 different months, and measured airborne particulate matter 3 times daily in each of the stalls. On each monthly visit, horse airways were examined endoscopically and assigned a mucus score, and tracheal lavage was performed. Bivariate procedures, general estimating equations and linear mixed models were applied to estimate the association between PM and the presence of accumulations of mucus and number of inflammatory cells. Results: Stable, stall, month and PM were all significantly associated with the presence of accumulations of tracheal mucus, which had an overall prevalence of 67%. The odds of horses having visible accumulation of mucus were increased when horses occupied enclosed stables or stalls with higher particulate concentrations, and when concentrations of larger particles (≤ 10 µm in diameter) were elevated. Sixty-eight percent of tracheal wash samples contained more than 20% neutrophils. Increased numbers of neutrophils were associated with the concentration of smaller particles (≤ 2.5 µm in diameter). Conclusions: Careful consideration of stable construction and management practices focused on maintaining the lowest possible dust concentrations throughout the day should reduce the prevalence of visible accumulations of tracheal mucus, potentially improving racing performance.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2012-04-12 PubMed ID: 22494157DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00568.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article discusses how local airborne particulate concentration in horse stalls is associated with visible accumulations of mucus in the trachea of Thoroughbred racehorses. It outlines the links between these environmental conditions and poor performance in racehorses.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The main objective of the research was to identify if there was a correlation between the concentration and number of airborne particulates in horse stalls and visible accumulations of mucus in the horses’ trachea.
  • The research also aimed to find out if these conditions were linked with an increase in the number of inflammatory cells present in tracheal aspirates.
  • The study involved 107 racehorses from three different stables over three separate months. At different times of the day, the airborne particulate matter was measured inside each horse stall.
  • Endoscopic examination of horse airways was carried out monthly, and each horse was assigned a mucus score according to the level of visible mucus in the trachea. Additionally, tracheal lavage, a procedure to remove mucus, cells, and other materials from the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles with a wash solution, was conducted.
  • To establish the association between the particulate matter and the presence of mucus and inflammatory cells, statistical analyses were done using bivariate procedures, general estimating equations, and linear mixed models.

Research Findings

  • The research found significant associations between the stable, stall, month, and particulate matter with the presence of tracheal mucus. The presence of mucus was prevalent in 67% of the observed cases.
  • The odds of finding visible mucus accumulation were higher for horses living in enclosed stalls or stalls with high particulate concentrations. The chances further increased with the prevalence of larger airborne particles (those ≤ 10 µm in diameter).
  • 68% of the tracheal wash samples contained more than 20% neutrophils (a type of inflammatory cell). The number of neutrophils was linked with the concentration of smaller particles (those ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter).

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The research concluded that stable management focused on maintaining the lowest possible dust concentrations throughout the day could be an effective measure to reduce the prevalence of visible accumulations of tracheal mucus.
  • This could potentially improve racing performance, as the research initially noted a link between mucus accumulation and poor performance in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Millerick-May ML, Karmaus W, Derksen FJ, Berthold B, Holcombe SJ, Robinson NE. (2012). Local airborne particulate concentration is associated with visible tracheal mucus in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J, 45(1), 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00568.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 1
Pages: 85-90

Researcher Affiliations

Millerick-May, M L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. melissa.may@hc.msu.edu
Karmaus, W
    Derksen, F J
      Berthold, B
        Holcombe, S J
          Robinson, N E

            MeSH Terms

            • Air Pollution, Indoor
            • Animals
            • Horses / physiology
            • Mucus / physiology
            • Particulate Matter
            • Seasons
            • Time Factors
            • Trachea / physiology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 17 times.
            1. Petz V, Khiaosa-Ard R, Iben C, Zebeli Q. Changes in eating time, chewing activity and dust concentration in horses fed either alfalfa cubes or long-stem hay.. Vet Med Sci 2023 May;9(3):1154-1162.
              doi: 10.1002/vms3.1102pubmed: 36877631google scholar: lookup
            2. Cullinane A, Garvey M, Walsh C, Gibbons J, Creighton A. A Scoping Review of Non-Structural Airway Disease as a Cause of Poor Performance in Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 27;13(3).
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            3. Holmes TQ, Brown AF. Champing at the Bit for Improvements: A Review of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 5;12(9).
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