Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) Concentrations in Thoroughbred and Quarter Racehorses in Louisiana.
Abstract: The TCO (total carbon dioxide) test is performed on the blood of racehorses as a means of combatting the practice of administering alkalizing agents. This study evaluated serum TCO concentrations and factors influencing concentration of TCO in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses. The normality of data were evaluated with a Shapiro-Wilk test. Mann-Whitney tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used against different effects. When a fixed effect was detected, Dunn's post-hoc comparisons were performed. The median pre-race serum TCO concentration (32.20 mmol/L (interquartile range (IQR): 30.80-33.50)) was higher than that of post-race samples (26.70 mmol/L (IQR: 24.55-29.25)) (P < .0001). The median TCO concentrations in pre-race samples were different between Thoroughbred (32.40 mmol/L (IQR: 30.90-33.60)) and Quarter Horses (31.30 mmol/L (IQR: 30.00-32.50)) (P < .0001). The median pre-race TCO concentrations were 32.75 (IQR: 31.40-33.90), 31.40 (IQR: 29.80-32.80), 32.50 (IQR: 31.20-33.88), and 31.60 (IQR 30.00-32.70) mmol/L in racehorses at Fair Grounds, Louisiana Downs, Delta Downs, and Evangeline Downs racetracks, respectively (P < .0001). The total serum TCO concentrations in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses were affected by seasonal temperature variation (P < .0001). A smaller sample size was available for post-race samples (n = 205) and Quarter Horse pre-race samples (n = 351). The results of this study indicated that the breed, seasonal temperature variation, pre-race or post-race sampling, and track location are strongly correlated to total TCO concentrations. It was not clear whether the statistically significant differences in TCO levels among racetracks in Louisiana were due to location of racetracks and/or seasonal temperature variation.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-01-06 PubMed ID: 36621701DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104220Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research paper focuses on a study that assessed the total carbon dioxide (TCO2) concentrations in the blood serum of Thoroughbred and Quarter Racehorses in Louisiana, with the aim of identifying the factors influencing these concentrations. The research found that factors such as the breed of the horse, the nature of the samples (pre-race or post-race), the location of the racetrack, and seasonal temperature variations significantly impact the levels of TCO2.
Method of Research
- The researchers took blood samples from the racehorses and performed a TCO test. This test is typically used to detect the presence of alkalizing agents, a banned substance in horse racing.
- A series of statistical tests like the Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to evaluate any potential effects on the TCO2 concentrations in the horses’ blood.
- In situations where a fixed effect was identified, they used Dunn’s post-hoc comparisons, which is a method for identifying where significant differences occur between three or more groups.
Key Findings
- The median pre-race serum TCO2 concentration was found to be higher than that of post-race samples. This clearly indicates that the intensity and effort of racing have an effect on TCO2 concentrations.
- The breed of the horse also influences TCO2 concentration, as there was a detectable difference between the TCO2 levels in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.
- Various racetracks showed different median pre-race TCO2 concentrations. However, the study couldn’t clearly establish whether this difference was due to the location of the racetracks or seasonal temperature variations or both.
- Seasonal variations in temperature also had a significant impact on serum TCO2 levels in both breeds of racehorses.
Limitations
- The sample size for the post-race samples and Quarter Horse pre-race samples was relatively small, potentially reducing the robustness and generalizability of the findings.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that TCO2 concentrations in Thoroughbred and Quarter Racehorses are significantly influenced by the horse’s breed, when the sample is taken (pre-race or post-race), the location of the racetrack, and fluctuations in seasonal temperature.
Cite This Article
APA
Dirikolu L, Waller P, Malveaux K, Lucas CH, Lomnicka I, Pourciau A, Bennadji H, Liu CC.
(2023).
Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) Concentrations in Thoroughbred and Quarter Racehorses in Louisiana.
J Equine Vet Sci, 121, 104220.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104220 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Electronic address: ldirikolu@lsu.edu.
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Equine Medication Surveillance Laboratory, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Services, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Carbon Dioxide
- Seasons
- Louisiana
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Ali A, Derar DR, Almushawwah KS, Elfeky A, Almzid TS, Alharbi YM, Alam S. Pseudopregnancy in dromedary camels: hematological and biochemical profiles and therapeutic responses. Trop Anim Health Prod 2025 Dec 16;58(1):4.
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