The effect of palatal dysfunction on measures of ventilation and gas exchange in Thoroughbred racehorses during high intensity exercise.
Abstract: The effect of palatal instability (PI) on measures of ventilation and gas exchange is not well understood. Objective: To assess to what degree different severities of naturally occurring palatal dysfunction affect ventilation and gas exchange during strenuous exercise. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data collected from 40 Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with naturally occurring dynamic palatal dysfunction during high speed treadmill exercise. Upper airway videoendoscopic recordings were made concurrently with measurements of ventilation and gas exchange. Three categories of soft palate dysfunction were formed: mild palatal instability; moderate to severe palatal instability; and dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Minute ventilation, tidal volume, breathing frequency, end-tidal carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were calculated during the last 10 s of the exercise test, when airway obstruction was at its worst. Results: There was a trend for minute ventilation, tidal volume, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production to decrease with increasing degree of palatal dysfunction, although statistically significant differences were only seen with DDSP. End-tidal carbon dioxide increased and end-tidal oxygen decreased with increasing obstruction, with both parameters showing significant differences between mild PI and moderate to severe PI. Conclusions: The results suggest that PI has a negative effect on certain respiratory parameters, although this is not as great as that associated with DDSP. Conclusions: Palatal instability may be detrimental to athletic performance even when progression to DDSP does not occur.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-09-04 PubMed ID: 22943460DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00627.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research explores how different severities of naturally occurring palatal dysfunction in Thoroughbred racehorses during high intensity exercise affect gas exchange and ventilation. Results suggest that palatal instability can negatively impact specific respiratory parameters and may be harmful to the athletic performance of horses.
Objective
The objective of this research was to understand the effect of different severities of naturally occurring palatal dysfunction on measures of ventilation and gas exchange during strenuous exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Methodology
- A retrospective study was conducted on data collected from 40 Thoroughbred racehorses with naturally occurring dynamic palatal dysfunction during high-speed treadmill exercise.
- Upper airway videoendoscopic recordings were made simultaneously with measurements of ventilation and gas exchange.
- Three categories of soft palate dysfunction were identified: mild palatal instability; moderate to severe palatal instability; and dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).
- Minute ventilation, tidal volume, breathing frequency, end-tidal carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were calculated during the last 10 seconds of the exercise test, when airway obstruction was at its peak.
Results
- Results showed a trend that minute ventilation, tidal volume, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production decrease with increasing degree of palatal dysfunction.
- Significantly distinct results were only seen with dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).
- Levels of end-tidal carbon dioxide increased and end-tidal oxygen decreased with increasing obstruction. Both parameters showed significant differences between mild palatal instability and moderate to severe palatal instability.
Conclusions
- The research suggests that palatal instability has a negative effect on some respiratory parameters, but this effect is not as intense as that associated with dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).
- Palatal instability can be harmful to athletic performance even when it doesn’t progress to dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).
Cite This Article
APA
Allen K, Franklin S.
(2012).
The effect of palatal dysfunction on measures of ventilation and gas exchange in Thoroughbred racehorses during high intensity exercise.
Equine Vet J, 45(3), 350-354.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00627.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Langford House, Equine Hospital, University of Bristol, Langford, UK. kate.allen@bristol.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Palate, Soft / pathology
- Pulmonary Gas Exchange / physiology
- Respiration
- Respiratory Mechanics / physiology
- Retrospective Studies
- Tidal Volume
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Jeong S, Bond S, Bayly W, Sole-Guitart A. Laser fenestration of the dorsal pharyngeal recess does not correct experimentally induced dorsal nasopharyngeal collapse in horses. Vet Surg 2026 Jan;55(1):88-100.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Medical Disorders and Racing Outcomes in Poorly Performing Standardbred Trotter Racehorses: A Retrospective Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
- Ahern BJ, Sole A, de Klerk K, Hogg LR, Vallance SA, Bertin FR, Franklin SH. Evaluation of postsale endoscopy as a predictor of future racing performance in an Australian thoroughbred yearling population. Aust Vet J 2022 Jun;100(6):254-260.
- Cercone M, Olsen E, Perkins JD, Cheetham J, Mitchell LM, Ducharme NG. Investigation into pathophysiology of naturally occurring palatal instability and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in racehorses: Thyro-hyoid muscles fatigue during exercise. PLoS One 2019;14(10):e0224524.
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