The Influence of Training and Simulated Race on Horse Plasma Serotonin Levels.
Abstract: Exercise represents a physical stress that challenges homeostasis affecting central and peripheral serotoninergic systems. The influence of the exercise on circulating serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) levels depends on training state as well as the exercise protocol. The purpose of the present research was to determine changes of plasma 5-HT in sport horses in response to training (T) and simulated race (SR) and in addition to assess the possible presence of significant differences on circulating 5-HT between two different sessions of exercise. In particular, the research was carried out on 18 trained horses performing daily training and race activity. Plasma 5-HT levels were analyzed in platelet poor plasma fraction by ELISA assay at T0 (before exercise), T1 (30 minutes after exercise) and T2 (2 hours after exercise). The hypothesis was that both exercise sessions could affect plasma 5-HT levels. Results showed a significant increase of plasma 5-HT levels at T1, compared with T0, both after simulated race and training activity. These effects are probably related to an increased 5-HT release from platelets and/or an increased peripheral 5-HT synthesis induced from exercise. At T2, plasma 5-HT concentrations showed a significant decrease to physiological levels in both sessions. Moreover, plasma 5-HT levels at T1 (SR) were significantly higher than those at T1 (T). Targeting peripheral 5-HT could be useful to assess the physiological adaptability of horses to the exercise, together with other selection techniques of sport horses.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-11-04 PubMed ID: 31864456DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102818Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research reveals a correlation between exercise, specifically a simulated race and training, and the levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the bloodstream of sport horses. The study shows that both forms of exercise significantly increase plasma serotonin levels, which later decrease to their normal ranges.
Objective and Subjects of the Study
- The study was designed to observe changes in plasma serotonin levels in sport horses as a response to training and simulated race.
- To further comprehend the impact of exercise on serotonin levels, this study aimed to highlight any significant differences in circulating serotonin between two different exercise sessions.
- The research used 18 trained horses regularly engaged in training and racing activities.
Methodology
- To accomplish this, serotonin levels were examined in the platelet-poor plasma fraction. They were tested before exercise (T0), 30 minutes after exercise (T1), and again 2 hours after exercise (T2), using the ELISA assay method.
Key Findings
- The study observed a notable increase in plasma serotonin levels at T1, after both forms of exercise when compared with T0.
- This increase is likely due to an escalated serotonin release from platelets and possibly an uptick in peripheral serotonin synthesis influenced by exercise.
- At T2, serotonin levels in the bloodstream demonstrated a significant decrease, returning to their physiological norms for both exercise sessions.
- Interestingly, serotonin levels at T1 (simulated race) were significantly higher than those at T1 (training).
Implication of Research
- The research implies that measuring peripheral serotonin levels could be instrumental in assessing the physiological adaptability of horses to exercise.
- This could potentially complement other techniques used in the selection of sport horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Medica P, Giunta RP, Bruschetta G, Ferlazzo AM.
(2019).
The Influence of Training and Simulated Race on Horse Plasma Serotonin Levels.
J Equine Vet Sci, 84, 102818.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102818 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Physiology Unit, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute (IZS), Catania, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy. Electronic address: alferl@unime.it.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Platelets
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Plasma
- Serotonin
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Staniszewska M, Kowalik S, Sadok I, Kędzierski W. The Influence of Exercise Intensity on Tryptophan Metabolites in Thoroughbred Horses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023 Jan 11;16(1).
- Forys WJ, Tokuhama-Espinosa T. The Athlete's Paradox: Adaptable Depression. Sports (Basel) 2022 Jun 30;10(7).
- Ferlazzo A, Cravana C, Fazio E, Medica P. The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses. Vet World 2020 May;13(5):847-859.
- Hennes N, Tutin L, Foury A, Vancassel S, Bourguignon H, Duluard A, Ruet A, Lansade L. Exploring the association between stress-related hormonal changes, behaviours and facial movements after an interval training exercise in French Standardbred. PLoS One 2025;20(11):e0328430.
- Piccione G, Arfuso F, Giudice E, Aragona F, Pugliatti P, Panzera MF, Zumbo A, Monteverde V, Bartolo V, Barbera A, Giannetto C. Dynamic Adaptation of Hematological Parameters, Albumin, and Non-Esterified Fatty Acids in Saddlebred and Standardbred Horses During Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 21;15(3).
- Bruschetta G, Bionda A, Giunta RP, Costa GL, Fazio E, Licata P, Bruno F. Can Productive Aptitude and Age Affect Circulating Serotonin, Total Thyroid Hormones, and Cortisol Patterns in Cows?. Vet Sci 2024 Oct 2;11(10).
- Bruschetta G, Leonardi F, Licata P, Iannelli NM, Fernàndez-Parra R, Bruno F, Messina L, Costa GL. Oxidative stress in relation to serotonin under general anaesthesia in dogs undergoing ovariectomy. Vet Q 2024 Dec;44(1):1-8.
- Satué K, Fazio E, Velasco-Martínez MG, Fauci D, Cravana C, Medica P. Effect of age on amplitude of circulating catecholamine's change of healthy cyclic mares. Vet Res Commun 2024 Aug;48(4):2863-2868.
- Bruschetta G, Zanghì G, Giunta RP, Ferlazzo AM, Satué K, D'Ascola A, Fazio E. Short Road Transport and Slaughter Stress Affects the Expression Profile of Serotonin Receptors, Adrenocortical, and Hematochemical Responses in Horses. Vet Sci 2024 Mar 3;11(3).
- Moussiopoulou J, Pross B, Handrack M, Keeser D, Pogarell O, Halle M, Falkai P, Scherr J, Hasan A, Roeh A. The influence of marathon running on resting-state EEG activity: a longitudinal observational study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024 Apr;124(4):1311-1321.
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