Photoperiod-dependent changes in oxidative stress markers in the blood of Shetland pony mares and stallions involved in recreational horseback riding.
Abstract: The objective of the current study was to determine the photoperiod-induced variations and the impact of exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers [2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic (AD) and ketonic (KD) derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and biomarkers of metabolic alterations [glucose, urea, and uric acid and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] in the blood of Shetland pony mares and stallions involved in recreational horseback riding. Twenty-one healthy adult Shetland ponies (11 mares and 10 stallions) aged 6.5 ± 1.4 years old from the central Pomeranian region in Poland were used in this study. Blood samples were taken once per season for one year: spring (3 April), summer (5 July), autumn (1 October) and winter (25 January). A MANOVA analysis revealed that the photoperiod factor had a leading role in alterations of these biomarkers, while the exercise and sex of the ponies exerted a lower impact. The lipid peroxidation biomarkers, for example, the plasma TBARS level, indicated the maximum adjusted coefficient of determination R = 0.77. Before exercise (at rest), the plasma of the stallions and mares exhibited minimum values of TBARS levels in the spring and summer photoperiods and maximum levels in autumn and winter. A statistically significant reduction in the levels of both aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of OMP in the blood of ponies was observed during the autumn and winter periods; additionally, the level of ketonic derivatives of OMP declined after exercise in spring. TAC was statistically significant in the spring and winter photoperiods both before and after exercise. SOD activity did not have a pronounced photoperiod-induced pattern but was dependent on the sex and exercise. CAT activity varied and was statistically significant only in the plasma of the mares after exercise in the spring, summer, and winter photoperiods. The minimum GPx activity in the blood of the mares before exercise (at rest) was observed in autumn, while the maximum was noted in winter and summer. Photoperiod- and exercise-induced alterations in markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences may contribute to the adaptation of animals to exercise, depending on sex. The seasonal variations in the antioxidant defences demonstrated in our study, as well as substrates of energy metabolism in the blood of mares and stallions, depending on exercise capacity, could be an important aspect in the ability of endogenous adaptive mechanisms of animals to react in advance to environmental changes associated with seasons.
Publication Date: 2022-08-31 PubMed ID: 36043484DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2022.2115922Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 evaluates the variations in the oxidative stress biomarkers of Shetland ponies due to changes in daylight (photoperiod), and also studies the effect of exercise on these markers. Oxidative stress markers are key to the health of horses and are affected by seasons and physical activities.
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Methodology
- The scientists studied photoperiod-induced variations and the impact of exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers like 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), aldehydic (AD) and ketonic (KD) derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins (OMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
- The study also looked at the biomarkers of metabolic alterations like glucose, urea, uric acid, and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
- A total of 21 healthy adult Shetland ponies (11 mares and 10 stallions) aged around 6.5 years were used in this study.
- Blood samples were taken once every season for a year to study the effect of different photoperiods – spring (April), summer (July), autumn (October), and winter (January).
Results and Influence of Photoperiod
- According to the MANOVA analysis, the photoperiod had the primary influence in altering the above biomarkers, while the effect of exercise and sex of the ponies had lesser impact.
- The biomarker indicating lipid peroxidation (plasma TBARS level) had a maximum coefficient of determination of 0.77.
- The levels of TBARS were at their lowest in the spring and summer, and highest in the autumn and winter.
- Significant reductions in the levels of both aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of OMP were observed during autumn and winter. Also, the level of ketonic derivatives of OMP declined post exercise in spring.
- TAC was found to be significant in spring and winter.
Influence of Sex and Exercise
- The activity of SOD did not follow a strong pattern based on photoperiod but was dependent on the sex of the pony and exercise.
- Activity of CAT varied and was significant only in the plasma of the mares post exercising in the spring, summer, and winter.
- The GPx activity in the blood of the mares was minimum in autumn before exercise (at rest) and reached maxima in winter and summer.
Photoperiod and Exercise-induced Changes
- The research indicates that photoperiod- and exercise-induced alterations in markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses could aid in the adaptation of the ponies to exercises, with this differing based on sex.
- The seasonal variations in antioxidant defenses, as well as substrates of energy metabolism in the blood of mares and stallions, as per their exercise capacity, might contribute to the capability of the animals’ adaptive mechanisms to proactively react to environmental changes associated with seasons.
Cite This Article
APA
(2022).
Photoperiod-dependent changes in oxidative stress markers in the blood of Shetland pony mares and stallions involved in recreational horseback riding.
Chronobiol Int, 39(11), 1419-1434.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2022.2115922 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Female
- Male
- Photoperiod
- Antioxidants / metabolism
- Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
- Circadian Rhythm
- Seasons
- Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
- Oxidative Stress
- Biomarkers / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Bollinger L, Bartel A, Weber C, Gehlen H. Pre-Ride Biomarkers and Endurance Horse Welfare: Analyzing the Impact of the Elimination of Superoxide Dismutase, δ-Aminolevulinic-Dehydratase, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances, Iron, and Serum Amyloid A Levels in Elite 160 km Endurance Rides. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 17;13(10).
- Tkaczenko H, Lukash O, Kurhaluk N. Analysis of the season-dependent component in the evaluation of morphological and biochemical blood parameters in Shetland ponies of both sexes during exercise. J Vet Res 2024 Mar;68(1):155-166.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
