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Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition2020; 105(1); 140-148; doi: 10.1111/jpn.13384

Metabolomics in equine sport and exercise.

Abstract: metabolomics is the high-throughput, multiparametric identification and classification of hundreds of low molecular weight metabolites in a biological sample. Ultimately, metabolites are the downstream readouts of cellular signalling, transcriptomic and proteomic changes that can provide a comprehensive view of tissue and organismal phenotype. The popularity of metabolomics in human sport and exercise has been gaining over the past decade and has provided important insights into the energetic demands and mechanistic underpinnings of exercise and training. To the contrary, metabolomics in the field of equine exercise physiology is lagging despite the horse's superior aerobic and muscular capabilities, as well as its prominence in competitive sport. As such, this narrative review aims to describe metabolomics, its routine implementation, the various analytical methods applied and the state of its use in the equine athlete. Sufficient attention will be paid to methodological considerations, as well as gaps in the equine literature, particularly with regard to the skeletal muscle metabolome. Finally, there will be a brief discussion of the future directions and barriers to metabolomics use in the athletic horse. A thorough understanding of the metabolomics changes that occur in the equine athlete with exercise will undoubtedly help to improve horse management and health across the lifespan.
Publication Date: 2020-06-08 PubMed ID: 32511844DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13384Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Review

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 focuses on the use of metabolomics in understanding the physiological changes that occur in horses during competitive sport and exercise. Despite its application in human sports science, metabolomics has not been significantly used in equine studies, and the purpose of this review is to encourage its implementation for better horse management and health.

Understanding Metabolomics

Metabolomics refers to the study and classification of hundreds of low weight metabolites in a biological sample. These metabolites offer insight into cellular activity, including changes in transcripts and proteins, and facilitate a detailed understanding of an organism’s cellular phenotype.

  • Metabolomics offers a high-throughput multiparametric identification.
  • This review identifies the need for more research in the application of metabolomics in equine sports and exercise.

Importance of Metabolomics in Human Sport and Exercise

Over the past decade, the significance of metabolomics in human sport and exercise has gained traction.

  • Studies of metabolomics have provided essential insights into the energy demands of the human body during exercise and the mechanisms that underline these requirements.
  • The review identifies the application of metabolomics in human sports as an area that can provide insights for similar application in equine sports.

Current use of Metabolomics in Equine Studies

Despite the potential advantages, the use of metabolomics in equine exercise physiology remains limited. The disparity of metabolomics implementation between human and equine sports research underscores the need for its use in equine studies.

  • The application of metabolomics in equine studies is lagging behind, despite horses’ superior aerobic and muscle capabilities.
  • The review argues that horses, given their role in competitive sports, constitute an important area for applying and understanding metabolomics.

Suggested Methodological Considerations and Identifying Gaps

For metabolomics to be implemented effectively in equine studies, the research first focuses on understanding the functional aspects of the method and identifying the gaps in the methodology used.

  • This narrative review seeks to familiarize the reader with metabolomics, its routine implementation, and the different analytical methods used in its application.
  • Particular attention will be given to the skeletal muscle metabolome, an area that appears to lack sufficient study in equine literature.

The Future of Metabolomics in Equine Studies

The research concludes by discussing the possible future directions and challenges to the routine use of metabolomics in equine studies.

  • The narrative review insists that understanding changes in the equine athlete’s metabolomics with exercise can significantly improve the management and health of horses.
  • However, barriers might exist to the routine use of metabolomics in equine studies, and these need identification and mitigation.

Cite This Article

APA
Klein DJ, Anthony TG, McKeever KH. (2020). Metabolomics in equine sport and exercise. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 105(1), 140-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13384

Publication

ISSN: 1439-0396
NlmUniqueID: 101126979
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 105
Issue: 1
Pages: 140-148

Researcher Affiliations

Klein, Dylan J
  • Department of Health and Exercise Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, USA.
Anthony, Tracy G
  • Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
  • New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
McKeever, Kenneth H
  • Rutgers Equine Science Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Metabolome
  • Metabolomics
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Proteomics
  • Sports

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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