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Skeletal muscle characteristics in red blood cell normovolaemic and hypervolaemic standardbred racehorses.
Abstract: Muscle biopsy specimens from the middle gluteal muscle were studied in 16 red blood cell hypervolaemic (Group HV) and 19 normovolaemic (Group NV) Standardbred racehorses. All horses were stallions, 4-8 years old and having similar mean racing performance values, as described by an individual selection index value. All horses raced regularly but those in Group HV did not perform as expected and were therefore referred to the clinics for exercise tolerance testing. Muscle biopsy specimens were analysed for fibre type distribution (Type I, IIA and IIB), fibre area and relative fibre area. In addition, oxidative capacity of the fibres was evaluated by staining for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) tetrazolium reductase, and the activities of citrate synthase, 3-OH-acyl CoA dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were analysed in whole-muscle samples. With the exception of a higher percentage of Type IIB fibres in Group HV having a high oxidative capacity as evaluated by the NADH stain, no significant difference were found in fibre composition, fibre area or enzyme activity between the Groups HV and NV.
Publication Date: 1994-07-01 PubMed ID: 8575400DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04393.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- 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 research article investigates the differences in muscle characteristics between two groups of Standardbred racehorses with different blood volumes–a group with normal red blood cell volume (normovolaemic) and a group with elevated red blood cell volume (hypervolaemic). Despite some minor differences, the two groups were overall quite similar in terms of muscular composition and enzyme activity.
Study Design and Methodology
- The article discusses a comparative study involving muscle biopsy specimens from the middle gluteal muscle of 16 red blood cell hypervolaemic (Group HV) and 19 normovolaemic (Group NV) Standardbred racehorses.
- All of the horses involved in the study were stallions aged 4-8 years old and have similar mean racing performance values, as indicated by individual selection index values.
- The horses in this research regularly participated in races. However, those in Group HV were not performing as expected and were therefore referred to clinics for exercise tolerance testing.
Analysis of Muscle Biopsy Specimens
- The muscle biopsy specimens were examined for fiber type distribution (Type I, IIA, and IIB), fiber area, and relative fiber area.
- Besides this, the oxidative capacity of the fibers was evaluated using a staining method for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) tetrazolium reductase.
- The researchers also analyzed the activities of certain enzymes like citrate synthase, 3-OH-acyl CoA dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase in whole-muscle samples.
Research Findings
- The results of the analysis indicate that, apart from a higher percentage of Type IIB fibers in Group HV having a high oxidative capacity as assessed by the NADH stain, the composition of fibers, fiber area, and enzyme activity showed no significant differences between Group HV and NV.
This research highlights that while individual performance can vary, standardbred racehorses with different blood volumes may exhibit quite similar muscle characteristics–at least in terms of the specific measures this research focused on.
Cite This Article
APA
Ronéus M, Persson SG, Essén-Gustavsson B, Arnason T.
(1994).
Skeletal muscle characteristics in red blood cell normovolaemic and hypervolaemic standardbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J, 26(4), 319-322.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04393.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy / veterinary
- Citrate (si)-Synthase / analysis
- Erythrocyte Volume / physiology
- Fatty Acid Desaturases / analysis
- Histocytochemistry
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / analysis
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology
- Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- NADH Tetrazolium Reductase / analysis
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Pösö AR. Monocarboxylate transporters and lactate metabolism in equine athletes: a review. Acta Vet Scand 2002;43(2):63-74.
- Muñoz A, Santisteban R, Rubio MD, Riber C, Agüera EI, Castejón FM. Locomotor response to exercise in relation to plasma lactate accumulation and heart rate in Andalusian and Anglo-Arabian horses. Vet Res Commun 1999 Oct;23(6):369-84.
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