The application of exhaled breath analysis in racing Thoroughbreds and the influence of high intensity exercise and ambient temperature on the concentration of carbon monoxide and pH in exhaled breath.
Abstract: Analyses of exhaled breath (EB) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are non-invasive modalities for assessing the lower airways but these methods have not been applied to Thoroughbred racehorses in training. The aims of this study were to determine whether EB and EBC could be obtained from Thoroughbred racehorses in the field and to investigate the effects of exercise per se and during different ambient temperatures and humidity on exhaled concentrations of nitric oxide (eNO), carbon monoxide (eCO) and EBC pH. EB and EBC samples were obtained from 28 Thoroughbred racehorses pre- and post-exercise during warm (n=23) and/or cold (n=19) ambient temperatures. eNO was detected in 19/84 EB samples. eCO was measured in 39/42 EB samples pre-exercise (median 1.3 ppm) and concentrations decreased significantly post-exercise (median 0.8 ppm, P<0.005) and were associated with ambient temperature. EBC pH was 4.51 ± 0.23 pre-exercise and increased significantly post-exercise (4.79 ± 0.59, P=0.003). The study documented the collection of EB and EBC from Thoroughbred racehorses in a field setting. Alterations in concentrations of volatile gases and EBC pH occurred in response to exercise, and were likely to have been influenced by environmental factors.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-02-05 PubMed ID: 23395154DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.12.022Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explores the use of exhaled breath analysis as a non-invasive method of assessing the health of Thoroughbred racehorses, especially the influence of exercise and ambient temperature on the concentration of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and pH level in exhaled breath.
Study Overview and Objective
- The research aims to identify the viability of using exhaled breath (EB) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a non-invasive method of studying the respiratory health of Thoroughbred racehorses during training.
- In particular, the study demystifies the effects of intense exercise, environmental temperatures and humidity on the concentration of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and pH levels in a horse’s exhaled breath.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted their study on 28 Thoroughbred racehorses engaged in standard track training.
- The study was conducted in both warm and cold weather. Of the total, 23 of the horses were tested during warm temperatures, and 19 during cold temperatures.
- Exhaled breath and exhaled breath condensate samples were collected from the horses both pre-exercise and post-exercise.
Results
- The results indicated that nitric oxide was detected in approximately 23% of the total breath samples.
- Carbon monoxide was observed in most (about 93%) pre-exercise breath samples with a median concentration of 1.3 ppm.
- In terms of EBC pH, the pre-exercise samples exhibited a value of 4.51, which witnessed a significant increase post-exercise (4.79).
<liInterestingly, the level of carbon monoxide in the exhaled breath significantly dropped (median 0.8 ppm) post-exercise, and this decrease was correlated with ambient temperature.
Conclusions
- This research confirms the successful collection and analysis of exhaled breath and its condensate from Thoroughbred racehorses in an outdoor environment.
- Most importantly, it reveals the substantial changes in the concentration of some volatile gases (nitric oxide and carbon monoxide) and pH levels in a horse’s exhaled breath in response to intense exercise and variable ambient temperatures.
- This suggests that exhaled breath analysis could potentially serve as a viable tool for assessing the lower airways health of racehorses in training.
Cite This Article
APA
Cathcart MP, Love S, Sutton DG, Reardon RJ, Hughes KJ.
(2013).
The application of exhaled breath analysis in racing Thoroughbreds and the influence of high intensity exercise and ambient temperature on the concentration of carbon monoxide and pH in exhaled breath.
Vet J, 197(2), 318-323.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.12.022 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Weipers Centre for Equine Welfare, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breath Tests / methods
- Carbon Monoxide / chemistry
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Temperature
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Araneda OF, Carbonell T, Tuesta M. Update on the Mechanisms of Pulmonary Inflammation and Oxidative Imbalance Induced by Exercise. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2016;2016:4868536.
- Araneda OF, Urbina-Stagno R, Tuesta M, Haichelis D, Alvear M, Salazar MP, García C. Increase of pro-oxidants with no evidence of lipid peroxidation in exhaled breath condensate after a 10-km race in non-athletes. J Physiol Biochem 2014 Mar;70(1):107-15.
- Barbosa B, Santi TF, Rodak AC, Nogara MF, Leite LMB, Weber SH, Niels C, Daros RR, Michelotto PV. Intraday and Interday Evaluation of pH and Hydrogen Peroxide in the Exhaled Breath Condensate of Horses Using A Portable Device. ACS Omega 2025 Oct 21;10(41):48412-48417.
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