The effect of diet composition and feeding state on the response to exercise in feed-restricted horses.
Abstract: Eight Thoroughbred horses were used to determine the effects of long-term calorie restriction and diet composition on serum T4 and T3 concentrations and metabolic responses with exercise. Horses were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups (n = 4): Group 1, horses were fed a calorie-restricted diet designed to have 70% of the calories from the roughage source (RHR); Group 2, horses were fed a calorie-restricted diet designed to have 70% of the calories from the concentrate source (RHC). Horses then completed 2 step-wise exercise tests; one following a 12 h fast and one 2 h after a meal of 2 kg of a grain mix. Glucose concentrations declined (P < 0.01) in fed horses on the RHR diet but did not change in fed horses on the RHC diet. Fasted horses receiving the RHR diet had a more rapid increase in glucose concentration during exercise compared to fasted horses receiving the RHC diet (P < 0.01) as well as the highest glucose concentration at fatigue (P < 0.05). Insulin concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) at fatigue in fed horses on the RHR diet. Fasted horses receiving the RHR diet had higher (P < 0.01) pre-exercise FFA concentrations and a more rapid decline (P < 0.01) in FFA during exercise. Serum T3 concentrations increased (P < 0.01) in response to exercise within all treatments. The differences in thyroid hormone, glucose and FFA responses to exercise suggest that calorie source may be important in the hormonal regulation and energy metabolism of horses consuming calorie deficient diets.
Publication Date: 2000-02-05 PubMed ID: 10659310DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05276.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article is about an experiment conducted on Thoroughbred horses to understand the impacts of long-term calorie restriction and diet composition on serum T4 and T3 concentrations and metabolic responses during exercise.
Study Overview and Design
- The study involved eight Thoroughbred horses, which were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Each group contained four horses.
- Group 1, also known as RHR, was fed a calorie-restricted diet, with 70% of the calories derived from roughage sources.
- Group 2, referred to as RHC, was provided with a diet where 70% of the calories came from concentrated sources.
- As part of the test, the horses had to perform 2 step-wise exercise routines, one after a 12-hour fast, and another one two hours post a meal consisting of a 2kg grain mix.
Results and Findings
- It was observed that glucose concentration declined significantly in horses from the RHR group that were fed but remained unchanged in the fed horses from the RHC group.
- Horses from the RHR group showed a faster increase in glucose concentration during exercise when fasted as compared to fasted horses from the RHC group. They also recorded the highest glucose concentration at the point of fatigue.
- Insulin levels were noticeably higher in the RHR horses at fatigue.
- Fasted RHR horses had higher concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) before the exercise but showed a rapid decline during exercise.
- Serum T3 concentrations increased significantly in response to exercise in all treatments.
Conclusions
- Based on the differential responses in thyroid hormone, glucose, and free fatty acids (FFAs) during exercise, the study concludes that the source of calories may play an influential role in the hormonal regulation and energy metabolism in horses on a calorie-deficient diet.
- This understanding may provide valuable insights into effective diet planning for horses to improve their exercise performance and overall health.
Cite This Article
APA
Powell D, Lawrence LM, Brewster-Barnes T, Fitzgerald B, Warren LK, Rokuroda S, Parker A, Crum A.
(2000).
The effect of diet composition and feeding state on the response to exercise in feed-restricted horses.
Equine Vet J Suppl(30), 514-518.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05276.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Glucose / metabolism
- Energy Metabolism
- Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
- Food Deprivation / physiology
- Heart Rate
- Horses / physiology
- Insulin / blood
- Male
- Muscle Fatigue
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Thyroid Hormones / blood
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