Preliminary study of heart rate variability in Criollo horses for the elucidation of their neurophysiological characteristics of autonomic nerve function.
Abstract: The Criollo is an Argentine horse breed with a calm temperament. Although its temperament is considered to be related to its neurophysiological characteristics, the details of this are unknown. Therefore, we analyzed the heart rate variability in Criollos as a preliminary study to deepen the neurophysiological understanding of their autonomic function. Electrocardiograms were recorded from Criollos and Thoroughbreds, and the power spectrum of heart rate variability was analyzed. Compared with Thoroughbreds, Criollos showed (i) a significantly higher high-frequency component, which is an index of parasympathetic nerve activity, and (ii) tendency toward a lower ratio of low- to high-frequency power, which is an index of the autonomic balance. These results revealed that parasympathetic nerves might be more active in Criollos compared with Thoroughbreds.
©2023 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
Publication Date: 2023-06-12 PubMed ID: 37405067PubMed Central: PMC10315639DOI: 10.1294/jes.34.55Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research studied the heart rate variability in Criollo horses to better understand their neurophysiological characteristics related to autonomic nerve function, finding that Criollos may have more active parasympathetic nerves than Thoroughbreds.
Introduction
- The study focuses on Criollo horses, a breed native to Argentina known for its calm temperament. The research aims to find a neurological base for this observed behavior.
- The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in determining a creature’s reaction and behavior under different situations and has two primary components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Methods
- The researchers conducted electrocardiograms (ECGs) on both Criollo horses and Thoroughbred horses as a point of comparison. The Thoroughbred is traditionally a more nervous, high-energy breed and offers an interesting counterpoint for this study.
- The researchers then analyzed the power spectrum of heart rate variability (HRV) from the collected data. HRV is a measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat and is directly linked to the horse’s ANS.
Results and Discussion
- The results indicated that the Criollo horses had a significantly higher “high-frequency” component than the Thoroughbreds. In the context of HRV, this is considered to be an indicator of parasympathetic nerve activity. The parasympathetic nervous system is often referred to as the rest-and-digest system, promoting calm and relaxation.
- There was also a trend towards a lower ratio of low- to high-frequency power in Criollo horses. Low-frequency power relates to the functioning of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, while high frequency is about the parasympathetic nervous system. Hence, a lower low to high frequency ratio indicates a stronger parasympathetic response or balance in Criollos.
- The study found that parasympathetic nerve activity might be more active in Criollo horses as compared to Thoroughbreds. This increased parasympathetic activity might be the reason behind the calm and relaxed temperament often associated with the Criollo breed.
Conclusion
- This preliminary study provides insights into understanding the temperament of Criollo horses from a physiological and neurological perspective.
- The researchers suggest that more detailed studies should follow this preliminary study to confirm the observed neurophysiological characteristics of Criollo horses and expand our knowledge of this unique breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Seki N, Tochinai R, Sekizawa SI, Márquez MA, Fukuda K, Ohmura H, Kuwahara M.
(2023).
Preliminary study of heart rate variability in Criollo horses for the elucidation of their neurophysiological characteristics of autonomic nerve function.
J Equine Sci, 34(2), 55-59.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.34.55 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
- Clinical Veterinary Medicine Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
- Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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