Plasma Activin A and Decorin in Exercised Purebred Arabian Horses – Preliminary Study.
Abstract: Development of the musculoskeletal system occurs, in part, through an impact on regulatory proteins, such as activin A and decorin. Activin A induces atrophic effects on skeletal muscle, and decorin regulates the formation of connective tissue proteins like collagen and elastin in tendons and ligaments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different intensities of exercise on blood plasma activin A and decorin concentrations in horses. Ten young purebred Arabian horses were subjected to routine training sessions on a racetrack, and another 11 adult horses of the same breed participated in endurance rides. Race horses were examined during gallop tests over a distance of 1200 m and endurance horses at distances from 20 to 80 km. Blood samples were collected at rest and after exercise to determine plasma concentrations of activin A, decorin and cortisol. Despite differences in the intensity of exercise, the plasma decorin concentration remained unchanged, and activin A tended to decrease in endurance horses only. The exercise-induced changes in plasma activin A concentrations correlated with the covered distance (r = -0.43; P < .05), but not with the changes in cortisol values. Further studies are needed to confirm the usefulness of plasma activin A as a potential indicator of a horse's endurance performance.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-04-28 PubMed ID: 34119190DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103638Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study aimed to identify if different intensities of exercise could influence plasma levels of two regulatory proteins, decorin and activin A, in Arabian horses. A correlation was found between reduced plasma activin A concentrations and increased endurance only, with no significant changes observed concerning decorin.
Objective of the Study
- The study was primarily focused on understanding if, and how much, different intensities of exercises influence the plasma concentration of two regulatory proteins, activin A and decorin, in Arabian horses.
Methodology of the Study
- The study involved a total of 21 Arabian horses – ten young horses who were involved in routine training on a racetrack and 11 adult horses participating in endurance rides.
- The young horses performed gallop tests over a distance of 1200m, whilst the endurance horses were ridden over distances from 20 to 80km.
- For each horse, blood samples were taken, both at rest and post-exercise. These samples were then evaluated to ascertain the plasma concentrations of activin A, decorin, and cortisol (a stress hormone).
Findings of the Study
- Plasma decorin levels did not show significant changes with either category of horses (race or endurance) or the different intensities of exercise.
- A trend of reduced plasma activin A concentration was observed within endurance horses specifically, but this change was not seen in the racing horses.
- An inverse correlation was identified between the levels of activin A in the plasma and the distance covered by the endurance horses – essentially, as the distance increased, the plasma activin A concentration decreased. It is crucial to note that this pattern did not correlate with changes in cortisol levels.
Conclusion of the Study
- The study proposes plasma activin A as a potential indicator of a horse’s endurance performance. However, more research is required to conclusively affirm the findings of this preliminary study.
Cite This Article
APA
Kędzierski W, Kowalik S, Mojsym W, Janczarek I, Tkaczyk E.
(2021).
Plasma Activin A and Decorin in Exercised Purebred Arabian Horses – Preliminary Study.
J Equine Vet Sci, 102, 103638.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103638 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: sylwester.kowalik@up.lublin.pl.
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Science and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
- Department of Horse Breeding and Use, Faculty of Animal Science and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Activins
- Animals
- Decorin / genetics
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Plasma
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Moqaddam MA, Nemati M, Dara MM, Hoteit M, Sadek Z, Ramezani A, Rand MK, Abbassi-Daloii A, Pashaei Z, Almaqhawi A, Razi O, Escobar KA, Supriya R, Saeidi A, Zouhal H. Exploring the Impact of Astaxanthin Supplementation in Conjunction with a 12-Week CrossFit Training Regimen on Selected Adipo-Myokines Levels in Obese Males. Nutrients 2024 Aug 26;16(17).
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