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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune...
PloS one2021; 16(8); e0254139; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254139

Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune function in aged horses.

Abstract: Long-distance transport is associated with stress-related changes in equine immune function, and shipping-associated illnesses are often reported. Horses are frequently transported short distances, yet the effects of short-term transport on immune function remain largely unknown. Twelve horses, aged 15-30 yr, were assigned to either the control (n = 6) or treatment (n = 6) groups; treatment horses received a daily antioxidant supplement 3 weeks before and after transport. All horses were transported for approximately 1.5-2 hr on Day 0. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture at 15-min pre- and post-transport and on Days -21, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Body temperature, heart rate, body weight, total cortisol, and gene expression of IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12α, IL-17α, SAA1, and TNFα in whole blood were measured. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated, stimulated with PMA/ionomycin, and stained for IFNγ and TNFα before analysis via flow cytometry. Statistical analyses were performed with significance set at P < 0.05 (SAS 9.4). Transport and supplementation did not appear to affect body weight, heart rate, IL-4, IL-8, IL-12α, IL-17α, change (Δ) in the % and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of IFNγ+ lymphocytes after stimulation, or Δ in the % and MFI of TNFα+ lymphocytes after stimulation. Supplementation decreased IL-1β and SAA1 expression. Transport increased total cortisol concentration, body temperature, and IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 expression but decreased IL-1β, TNFα, and IFNγ expression. Short-term transportation affected physiological, endocrine, and immune responses; supplementation may ameliorate inflammation in aged horses. Immune responses were most altered at 15-min post-transport and typically recovered by Day 1, suggesting that horses may be vulnerable to disease during and almost immediately after short-term transport.
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Publication Date: 2021-08-19 PubMed ID: 34411137PubMed Central: PMC8376036DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254139Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The study examines the effects of short-term transportation and antioxidant supplementation on the immune response in aged horses. The researchers found that transportation can disrupt immune responses, and that supplementation may help to reduce inflammation related to this stress.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved a sample of 12 aged horses between the ages of 15-30 years. Six of these were part of the control group, while the other six formed the treatment group, which received a daily antioxidant supplement for three weeks prior to and after transport.
  • All the horses were subjected to a short journey of 1.5 to 2 hours, and blood samples were taken at regular intervals before and after transportation to monitor changes.
  • Various metrics were evaluated, including body temperature, heart rate, weight, total cortisol levels, and the expression of several interleukins. The researchers also studied the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated and stimulated with PMA/ionomycin, via flow cytometry.
  • Statistical analysis was carried out and a significance threshold was set at P < 0.05.

Research Findings

  • Transportation and supplementation were found to have no notable impact on body weight, heart rate, or the expression of certain interleukins. There was also no significant change in the percent and mean fluorescence intensity of IFNγ+ and TNFα+ lymphocytes after stimulation.
  • However, supplementation was seen to decrease IL-1β and SAA1 expression.
  • Transportation noticeably increased total cortisol levels, body temperature, and the expression of IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10, but decreased IL-1β, TNFα, and IFNγ expression. This suggests that short-term transportation can stress the horse, disrupting normal immune response.
  • Additionally, these immune responses were most disturbed 15 minutes after transportation but generally recovered by the following day. This implies horses might be particularly susceptible to disease, both during and immediately after short-term transportation.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that short-distance transportation can stress a horse significantly, affecting physiological, endocrine, and immune responses.
  • Antioxidant supplementation might be beneficial in lessening inflammation linked to this stress in older horses.
  • This research fills an important gap in our understanding, as previous studies had not extensively explored the impact of short-distance transport on the immune systems of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Miller AB, Harris PA, Barker VD, Adams AA. (2021). Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune function in aged horses. PLoS One, 16(8), e0254139. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254139

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 8
Pages: e0254139
PII: e0254139

Researcher Affiliations

Miller, Ashton B
  • Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America.
Harris, Patricia A
  • Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom.
Barker, Virginia D
  • Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America.
Adams, Amanda A
  • Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Horses / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Male
  • Stress, Physiological / immunology
  • Transportation

Conflict of Interest Statement

Co-author PH is employed by the funding organization. The funding organization has also supported other studies and graduate students under the research program of co-author AA, who is the MARS Equestrian Research Fellow. Co-authors AM and VB were employed in the research program of co-author AA during various components of the study and manuscript preparation.

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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