Seasonal changes of total body water and water intake in Shetland ponies measured by an isotope dilution technique.
Abstract: Water is an essential nutrient necessary to support life, and adequate water supply is crucial for animal survival and productivity. The present study was designed to determine seasonal changes in the water metabolism of horses under outdoor conditions. Total body water (TBW) and total water intake (TWI) of 10 adult Shetland pony mares were estimated at monthly intervals for 14 mo by using the deuterium dilution technique. During the last 4 mo, 5 ponies were fed restrictively to simulate natural feed shortage in winter, and 5 ponies served as controls. The TBW (kg) was closely related to body mass [TBW (kg) = -2.86 + 0.67 × body mass (kg); P < 0.001; n = 105] explaining 86% of the variation. In contrast to TBW (kg), TBW (%) remained relatively stable across all measurements (57.8 to 71.2%). The TWI showed an increase in summer and a decrease in winter [TWI (mL·kg(-1)·d(-1)) = 15.07 + 23.69 × month - 1.45 × month(2) (R(2) = 0.64, P < 0.01)]. However, TWI measured at ambient temperatures (Ta) 0°C. Therefore, removing TWI values measured at Ta < 0°C from the analysis resulted in high correlations with locomotor activity (r = 0.87), Ta (r = 0.86), and resting heart rate (r = 0.88). The multiple regression among TWI, Ta, and heart rate explained 84% of the variation in TWI [TWI (mL·kg(-1)·d(-1)) = -13.38 + 1.77 × heart rate (beats/min) + 2.11 × Ta (°C); P < 0.001]. Feed restriction had no effect on TWI and TBW. The TBW content was unaffected by season and physical activity. The established regression equation for TBW and body mass can be used to predict TBW from body mass in ponies under field conditions. The comparison of TWI with published data on drinking water intake revealed that ponies had 1.7 to 5.1 times greater total water intakes when other sources of water such as feed and metabolic water were included. The TWI was highly influenced by environmental conditions and metabolic rate. Contrary to expectation, water supply during the cold seasons might be more critical than under summer conditions when water content of grass is high to allow for the compensation of limited availability of drinking water.
Publication Date: 2013-06-04 PubMed ID: 23736044DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-5317Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article evaluates seasonal variations in water metabolism of Shetland ponies. The study uses isotope dilution technique to estimate Total Body Water (TBW) and Total Water Intake (TWI). The research finds a strong correlation between TBW and body mass, while observing fluctuations in TWI according to seasonal conditions. The study concludes that contrary to expectation, the water supply during cold seasons may be more critical.
Research Design
- 10 adult Shetland pony mares were studied for 14 months to understand changes in total body water and total water intake. Isotope dilution techniques were used to measure these parameters monthly.
- The last 4 months of the study saw 5 ponies with restricted feed to simulate natural feed shortage in winter, while the other 5 ponies served as controls.
Research Findings
- There was a significant relationship between TBW (kg) and body mass. 86% of the variation in TBW could be explained with body mass.
- Despite variance in TBW in terms of body mass, TBW’s percentage consistently remained relatively stable across all measurements.
- Total Water Intake (TWI) showed seasonal increase in summer and decrease in winter. However, the study identified that TWI doesn’t follow the same trend in ambience temperature below 0°C as it does in temperatures above 0°C.
- High correlations were observed between TWI and locomotor activity, heart rate, and ambience temperature.
- Feed restriction, used to simulate winter conditions, did not have an impact on either TWI or TBW.
- TBW was not affected by seasonal changes or physical activity.
- The research provided regression equations that can help predict TBW in relation to body mass for ponies under field conditions.
- Comparison of TWI with published drinking water intake data showed that ponies have greater total water intake when including other water sources, such as feed and metabolic water.
- Environmental conditions and metabolic rate were found to have significant influence on TWI.
- Contrary to the general belief, the study found that the water supply during the cold seasons could be more critical compared to summer when water content of grass is available to compensate limited availability of drinking water.
Cite This Article
APA
Brinkmann L, Gerken M, Riek A.
(2013).
Seasonal changes of total body water and water intake in Shetland ponies measured by an isotope dilution technique.
J Anim Sci, 91(8), 3750-3758.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5317 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animals Sciences, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Water / physiology
- Deuterium
- Drinking / physiology
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Seasons
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Chow RS. Terms, Definitions, Nomenclature, and Routes of Fluid Administration.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:591218.
- Shawaf T, Hussen J, Al-Zoubi M, Hamaash H, Al-Busadah K. Impact of season, age and gender on some clinical, haematological and serum parameters in Shetland ponies in east province, Saudi Arabia.. Int J Vet Sci Med 2018 Jun;6(1):61-64.
- Takahashi Y, Takahashi T. Seasonal fluctuations in body weight during growth of Thoroughbred racehorses during their athletic career.. BMC Vet Res 2017 Aug 18;13(1):257.
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