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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Seasonal Changes in Trace-Element Content in the Coat of Huc...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(20); doi: 10.3390/ani12202770

Seasonal Changes in Trace-Element Content in the Coat of Hucul Horses.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to evaluate seasonal changes in selected trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Al in the coat of healthy Hucul horses kept in south-eastern Poland in two different facilities and fed with locally sourced feed. The coat for the study was collected from 24 individuals in autumn, winter, and spring. The concentration of elements in the feed was also determined. The date of collection had a significant effect on the concentration of the micronutrients analysed in the coat of Hucul horses. The highest concentration of Zn was found in the coat taken in summer. The coat taken in autumn had the highest concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Al compared with the other seasons. The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Al were found in fur taken in winter, with the lowest levels of Zn. Positive correlations were found between the content of iron and manganese, iron and aluminium, and manganese and aluminium in the coat of Hucul horses. A clear inter-individual and inter-stable variability was found, which may indicate the need for further research that also takes into account other factors.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-14 PubMed ID: 36290155PubMed Central: PMC9597826DOI: 10.3390/ani12202770Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research investigates the seasonal variations in the concentrations of specific trace elements found in the coat of Hucul horses from southeast Poland.

Objective of the Research

  • The main objective of the research was to study the seasonal changes in selected trace elements such as Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), and Aluminium (Al) in the coat of healthy Hucul horses that were living in two different facilities in southeastern Poland.

Research Methodology

  • Horse coat samples were collected from 24 healthy individuals during three different seasons- autumn, winter, and spring.
  • The concentration of specific elements in the horses’ locally-sourced feed was also determined.
  • The researchers then analyzed the variations in the concentration of these trace elements across these seasons.

Findings of the Research

  • The study concluded that the season or time of year when the fur was collected had a significant influence on the trace element concentrations in the coat of Hucul horses.
  • The highest concentration of Zinc (Zn) was found in the fur samples collected during summer.
  • Fur samples gathered during autumn showed the greatest concentrations of Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Aluminium (Al), as compared to other seasons.
  • The coats fetched during winter months displayed the highest concentrations of Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Aluminium (Al), but the lowest level of Zinc (Zn).
  • This indicates that the elemental composition of a horse’s fur may be indicative of their nutritional status, which varies throughout the year.
  • Significant positive correlations were observed between the concentrations of Iron and Manganese, Iron and Aluminium, as well as Manganese and Aluminium, in the horse’s fur.

Implications of the Research

  • The research provides important insights into how the trace element content in the horses’ coats could potentially vary across different seasons and based on their diet.
  • The findings suggest there might be unique, individual, and stable-specific variability in the trace element concentration in the Hucul horses’ fur.
  • This highlights the potential necessity for conducting more elaborate future researches that could also consider additional factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Jachimowicz-Rogowska K, Topczewska J, Krupa W, Bajcar M, Kwiecień M, Winiarska-Mieczan A. (2022). Seasonal Changes in Trace-Element Content in the Coat of Hucul Horses. Animals (Basel), 12(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202770

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 20

Researcher Affiliations

Jachimowicz-Rogowska, Karolina
  • Department of Bromatology and Food Physiology, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka Str. 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Topczewska, Jadwiga
  • Department of Animal Production and Poultry Products Evaluation, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Zelwerowicza Str. 4, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland.
Krupa, Wanda
  • Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka Str. 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Bajcar, Marcin
  • Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej St. 2D, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland.
Kwiecień, Małgorzata
  • Department of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka Str. 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Winiarska-Mieczan, Anna
  • Department of Bromatology and Food Physiology, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka Str. 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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