Serum and red cell folate and serum vitamin B12 levels in horses.

The research conducted in Queensland on different types of horses examined the levels of Vitamin B12 and Folate in the blood and cells, finding that performance horses with diet supllementation had the greatest concentration. The study also found that folate levels were best indicated in red blood cells rather than serum values, and that the need for folic acid supplementation may be present for stabled or trained horses.

Objective and Methods of the Study

• The researchers aimed to measure and compare the levels of vitamin B12 and folate in horses with different lifestyles – pastured, performance, permanently stabled and those horses in training.
• This is important research as these vitamins play an important role in the horses’ health and these levels could drastically affect their performance, fertility and overall wellbeing.
• Vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were determined using a technique known as radioimmunoassay, a technique used in medicine to measure concentrations of substances such as hormones and drugs in the body.

Findings

• Vitamin B12 and folate levels varied across the different groups of horses. Supplemented performance horses had the highest levels of B12, and they, along with pastured horses – including pregnant and lactating mares – also had greater serum folate activity compared to horses that were permanently kept in stables.
• Unexpectedly, horses in training had the lowest variation in their red cell folate concentrations, which led researchers to speculate that red cell folate may be a better indicator of a horse’s folate status than serum folate values.
• Seasonal variations in vitamin levels were recorded, with the highest concentrations of Vitamin B12 and folate found in the spring and summer months.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Interventions

• Two horses with small intestine dysfunction showed no signs of malabsorption of Vitamin B12 or folate.
• An experiment on the effect of intramuscular injections of folic acid and vitamin B12 on serum folate and B12 levels was conducted. Serum folate levels returned to normal 24 hours after injections of folic acid, but serum vitamin B12 levels remained elevated for at least a week after vitamin B12 injections.
• No horse in the study group was found struggling with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, nor did they show significant hematological alterations.
• The study suggests that permanently stabled horses and some horses in training may require additional folic acid, possibly administered orally on a daily basis, but exogenous administration of vitamin B12 appears unnecessary.