Supplementation of Ascorbic Acid in Weanling Horses Following Prolonged Transportation.
Abstract: Though horses synthesize ascorbic acid in their liver in amounts that meet their needs under normal circumstances, prolonged stress results in low plasma concentrations due to enhanced utilization and renal excretion and can reduce immune function. It was hypothesized that plasma ascorbic acid could be maintained in weanling horses by oral supplementation following prolonged transportation. Weanlings were supplemented with no ascorbic acid (Tx 0: n = 4), 5 grams ascorbic acid twice daily for 5 days (Tx 1: n = 4) or for 10 days (Tx 2: n = 4) following >50 hours of transportation. Supplementation caused slight (P < 0.2) increases in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations. Both supplemented groups had decreased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations for 1 to 3 weeks following cessation of supplementation, possibly due to increased renal excretion or suppressed hepatic synthesis. Supplementation of ascorbic acid following prolonged stress will increase plasma concentrations, but prolonged supplementation should be avoided.
Publication Date: 2012-04-16 PubMed ID: 26486916PubMed Central: PMC4494327DOI: 10.3390/ani2020184Google 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.
- Journal Article
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 study shows that, albeit briefly, oral ascorbic acid supplements can maintain its plasma concentrations in weanling horses that have undergone prolonged periods of stress. However, the long-term supplementation should be avoided as it leads to decreased plasma concentrations when ceased.
Research Purpose
- The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of ascorbic acid on the plasma concentrations in weanling horses after they’ve undergone prolonged transportation – a stressful event for the animal. The research sought to determine the ability of ascorbic acid supplements to sustain adequate levels in the bloodstream, despite the increased utilization and renal excretion due to stress.
Methodology
- Three groups of weanling horses were used in the study. One group did not receive any ascorbic acid supplements (Tx 0), the second group received 5 grams of ascorbic acid twice daily for 5 days (Tx 1), and the third group received 5 grams twice daily for 10 days (Tx 2). Each group consisted of four horses.
- These supplements were administered following a transport period of over 50 hours.
Findings
- The findings show that ascorbic acid supplementation resulted in a slight increase in plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid, a statistically significant –but likely not biologically relevant–result.
- However, both groups that received supplements showed a decrease in plasma concentrations for 1 to 3 weeks after the supplementation stopped. The researchers speculate that the cause for the drop could be due to increased renal excretion or suppressed hepatic synthesis due to the supplementation.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that while ascorbic acid supplementation can increase plasma concentrations following prolonged stress, such as over 50 hours of transportation, continued supplementation could prove detrimental in the long run.
- Consequently, only short-term use of these supplements is recommended during periods of high stress, but long-term use should be avoided due to the potential negative impact on the horse’s natural ascorbic acid regulation in its body.
Cite This Article
APA
Ralston S, Stives M.
(2012).
Supplementation of Ascorbic Acid in Weanling Horses Following Prolonged Transportation.
Animals (Basel), 2(2), 184-194.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani2020184 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. ralston@aesop.rutgers.edu.
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. michelle.stives.dvm@gmail.com.
References
This article includes 31 references
- GROLLMAN AP, LEHNINGER AL. Enzymic synthesis of L-ascorbic acid in different animal species.. Arch Biochem Biophys 1957 Jul;69:458-67.
- Jaeschke G. Influence of ascorbic acid on the physical development and performance of racehorses. A possible role in the equine sport medicine.. In: Wegger I., Tagwerker F.J., Moustgaard J., editors. Proceedings of Workshop on Ascorbic acid in Domestic Animals; Copenhagen, Denmark: Royal Danish Agricultural Society; 1984. pp. 153–161.
- Baucus KL, Squires EL, Ralston SL, McKinnon AO, Nett TM. Effect of transportation on the estrous cycle and concentrations of hormones in mares.. J Anim Sci 1990 Feb;68(2):419-26.
- Snow DH, Gash SP, Cornelius J. Oral administration of ascorbic acid to horses.. Equine Vet J 1987 Nov;19(6):520-3.
- Williams CA, Kronfeldt DS, Hess TM, Saker KE, Waldron JN, Crandell KM, Hoffman RM, Harris PA. Antioxidant supplementation and subsequent oxidative stress of horses during an 80-km endurance race.. J Anim Sci 2004 Feb;82(2):588-94.
- Löscher W, Jaeschke G, Keller H. Pharmacokinetics of ascorbic acid in horses.. Equine Vet J 1984 Jan;16(1):59-65.
- Ralston S.L. Effect of vitamin supplementation post-transportation in weanlings. Proceedings of 17th Nutrition and Physiology Symposium; Lexington, KY, USA. 31 May–2 June 2001; p. 131.
- Friend TH, Martin MT, Householder DD, Bushong DM. Stress responses of horses during a long period of transport in a commercial truck.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 Mar 15;212(6):838-44.
- Friend TH. Dehydration, stress, and water consumption of horses during long-distance commercial transport.. J Anim Sci 2000 Oct;78(10):2568-80.
- Stull CL, Rodiek AV. Physiological responses of horses to 24 hours of transportation using a commercial van during summer conditions.. J Anim Sci 2000 Jun;78(6):1458-66.
- Laegreid W.W., Huston L.J., Basaraba J., Crisman M.V. The effects of stress on alveolar macrophage function in the horse: An overview. Equine Pract 1988;10:9–16.
- Alberghina D., Medica P., Cusumano F., Fazio E., Ferlazzo A. Effects of transportation stress and influence of different distance and age on β-endorphin, ACTH, and cortisol levels of horses. Proceedings of the 34th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology; Florianopolis, Brazil. 17–20 October 2000; p. 108.
- Fazio E, Ferlazzo A. Evaluation of stress during transport.. Vet Res Commun 2003 Sep;27 Suppl 1:519-24.
- Newberne P.M., Conner M.W. The vitamins. In: Kaneko J.J., editor. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. Academic Press; San Diego, CA, USA: 1989. p. 796.
- SELYE H. The general adaptation syndrome and the diseases of adaptation.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1946 Feb;6:117-230.
- Sayers G, Sayers MA, Fry EG, White A, Long CN. The Effect of the Adrenotrophic Hormone of the Anterior Pituitary on the Cholesterol Content of the Adrenals : With a Review of the Literature on Adrenal Cholesterol.. Yale J Biol Med 1944 Mar;16(4):361-92.
- SAYERS G, SAYERS MA. The effect of pituitary adrenotrophic hormone on the cholesterol and ascorbic acid content of the adrenal of the rat and the guinea pig.. Endocrinology 1946 Jan;38:1-9.
- Groff J.L., Gropper S.S., Hunt S.M. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. West Publishing Company; Minneapolis, MN, USA: 1995. The water soluble vitamins; pp. 222–237.
- Levine M, Conry-Cantilena C, Wang Y, Welch RW, Washko PW, Dhariwal KR, Park JB, Lazarev A, Graumlich JF, King J, Cantilena LR. Vitamin C pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers: evidence for a recommended dietary allowance.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1996 Apr 16;93(8):3704-9.
- Austin SM, Foreman JH, Hungerford LL. Case-control study of risk factors for development of pleuropneumonia in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995 Aug 1;207(3):325-8.
- Stull C.L. Physiology, balance, and management of horses during transport. Procedings of Horse Breeders and Owners Conference; Red Deer, AB, Canada. 10–12 January 1997.
- Ralston SL, Nockels CF, Squires EL. Differences in diagnostic test results and hematologic data between aged and young horses.. Am J Vet Res 1988 Aug;49(8):1387-92.
- National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Horses. 6th ed. National Academy Press; Washington, DC, USA: 1989.
- Tietz N.W. Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry. Saunders; Philadelphia, PA, USA: 1976. pp. 547–551.
- Marlin DJ, Fenn K, Smith N, Deaton CD, Roberts CA, Harris PA, Dunster C, Kelly FJ. Changes in circulatory antioxidant status in horses during prolonged exercise.. J Nutr 2002 Jun;132(6 Suppl 2):1622S-7S.
- Deaton CM, Marlin DJ, Smith NC, Harris PA, Schroter RC, Kelly FJ. Antioxidant supplementation in horses affected by recurrent airway obstruction.. J Nutr 2004 Aug;134(8 Suppl):2065S-2067S.
- Heleski C.R., Shelle A.C., Nielsen B.D., Zanella A.J. Influence of housing on weanling horse behavior and subsequent welfare. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2002;78:291–302.
- Malinowski K., Hallquist N.A., Helyar L., Sherman A.R., Scanes C.G. Effect of different separation protocols between mares and foals on plasma cortisol and cell-mediated immune response. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1990;10:363–368.
- Hoffman RM, Kronfeld DS, Holland JL, Greiwe-Crandell KM. Preweaning diet and stall weaning method influences on stress response in foals.. J Anim Sci 1995 Oct;73(10):2922-30.
- van Maanen C, Bruin G, de Boer-Luijtze E, Smolders G, de Boer GF. Interference of maternal antibodies with the immune response of foals after vaccination against equine influenza.. Vet Q 1992 Jan;14(1):13-7.
- Jacob R.A. Vitamin C. In: Shils M., Olson J., Shike M., Ross A.C., editors. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 9th ed. Williams & Wilkins; Baltimore, MD, USA: 1999. pp. 467–482.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Zhao G, Li P, Mu H, Li N, Peng Y. L-Ascorbic Acid Shapes Bovine Pasteurella multocida Serogroup A Infection. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:687922.
- Wong DM, Young L, Dembek KA. Blood thiamine (vitamin B(1) ), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and cortisol concentrations in healthy and ill neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jul;35(4):1988-1994.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
