The vitamin A and vitamin E status of horses raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine normal baseline levels of vitamin A and vitamin E in clinically normal horses under typical field conditions in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Heparinized blood samples were collected from approximately 400 clinically healthy horses selected from 24 locations in Alberta and Saskatchewan during a two-year period. For each horse, historical information including feed type, vitamin supplementation, time of year, sex, and age were recorded. From each blood sample, the plasma vitamin A (all-transretinol) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels were measured using high pressure liquid chromatography. Normal baseline plasma vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations recorded during the study were 0.70 mumol/L and 7.65 mumol/L, respectively. The plasma vitamin concentrations were lower in the younger horses. The plasma vitamin levels were higher from May to August, as compared to other times of the year. Horses grazing fresh pasture exclusively during the summer months had plasma vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations that were 27% and 63% greater than horses fed harvested or stored feeds during the same time period. Sex-related differences were not evident in the study. A number of factors may influence the baseline plasma vitamin A and vitamin E levels in horses. Consequently, it is unadvisable to use a single evaluation to assess vitamin status. Multiple sampling from individual horses or sampling from many horses within a herd may reduce the variability and improve the ability to monitor vitamin status from plasma submissions.
Publication Date: 1994-05-01 PubMed ID: 8050076PubMed Central: PMC1686664
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article investigates the levels of vitamin A and E in horses from Alberta and Saskatchewan, and how factors like feed type, season, age, and sex may influence these levels. It provides insights on the normal baseline vitamin levels and suggests multiple samplings for a more accurate assessment.
Study Focus and Methodologies
- The study’s main aim was to identify the normal amounts of vitamin A and E in healthy horses by testing under usual field conditions in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
- Researchers collected blood samples from approximately 400 healthy horses. These horses were distributed across 24 different places in the two aforementioned provinces and sampled over a span of two years.
- The collection of each sample also accompanied the recording of information related to the horse’s feed, vitamin supplementation, time of year, sex, and age.
Method of Measurement
- Researchers measured the plasma vitamin A and E levels in each blood sample using a procedure known as high-pressure liquid chromatography.
- The technique allowed the team to accurately measure the amount of all-transretinol (vitamin A) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in the samples.
Findings
- Baseline measurements for vitamin A and E concentrations were established at 0.70 μmol/L and 7.65 μmol/L, respectively.
- Younger horses were found to have lesser concentrations of these vitamins in their plasma when compared to older ones.
- Vitamin levels were found to be higher during the months of May to August, compared to other months.
- Horses that only grazed on fresh pastures during summer had higher levels of both vitamins compared to those horses that were fed harvested or stored feeds in the same period. The comparison showed 27% and 63% greater concentrations for vitamin A and E, respectively.
- The study did not find a significant correlation between sex and the studied vitamin levels.
Recommendations
- Given that vitamin A and E levels in horses can be significantly influenced by several factors, the study cautions against using a single evaluation to assess the vitamin status.
- The research advises that multiple samples from the same horse or a larger number of horses within the same herd be tested. This approach would likely decrease variability in test results and allow for a more accurate evaluation of current vitamin status.
Cite This Article
APA
Blakley BR, Bell RJ.
(1994).
The vitamin A and vitamin E status of horses raised in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Can Vet J, 35(5), 297-300.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Physiological Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Alberta
- Animal Feed / classification
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Nutritional Status
- Saskatchewan
- Seasons
- Vitamin A / blood
- Vitamin E / blood
References
This article includes 12 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Fenton H, Cluff HD, Blakley B, Rothenburger JL. Hepatic fibrosis and mineralization in a free-ranging barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) from the Northwest Territories. Can Vet J 2022 Feb;63(2):157-160.
- Pitel MO, McKenzie EC, Johns JL, Stuart RL. Influence of specific management practices on blood selenium, vitamin E, and beta-carotene concentrations in horses and risk of nutritional deficiency. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Sep;34(5):2132-2141.
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