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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Tracing Acid-Base Variables in Exercising Horses: Effects of...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 13(1); 73; doi: 10.3390/ani13010073

Tracing Acid-Base Variables in Exercising Horses: Effects of Pre-Loading Oral Electrolytes.

Abstract: Oral electrolyte supplementation may influence acid-base state during exercise due to the intestinal absorption of administered water and electrolytes used to mitigating sweat losses. This study examined the effect of pre-exercise electrolyte supplementation (3 and 8 L) on plasma acid-base variables at rest, during moderate intensity exercise and during recovery. It was hypothesized that electrolyte supplementation will result in improved acid-base state compared to the alkalosis typical of prolonged exercise. In randomized crossover fashion, four horses were administered 3 L or 8 L of a hypotonic electrolyte solution (PNW) intended to replace sweat losses, or water alone (CON), 1 h before treadmill exercise to fatigue (at 35% of peak VO2) or for 45 min at 50% peak VO2. Blood was sampled at 10-min intervals before, during and after exercise, and analyzed for dependent and independent acid-base variables. Effects of 3 L of supplementation at low exercise intensities were minimal. In the 8 L trials, plasma [H+] decreased (p < 0.05) during exercise and early recovery in CON but not PNW. Plasma TCO2 decreased (p < 0.05) by 30 min after PNW reaching a nadir of 28.0 ± 1.5 mmol/L during the early exercise period (p = 0.018). Plasma pCO2 and strong ion difference [SID] were the primary contributors to changes in [H+] and [TCO2], respectively. Pre-exercise PNW of 8 L intended to fully replenish sweat loses maintained [H+], decreased [TCO2] and mitigated the mild alkalosis during moderate intensity exercise.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-24 PubMed ID: 36611683PubMed Central: PMC9817799DOI: 10.3390/ani13010073Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article studied the effects of electrolyte supplementation before exercise on the acid-base balance in horses during rest, exercise, and recovery. The study found that larger quantities of electrolytes significantly influenced the acid-base balance, thereby mitigating the alkalosis often associated with prolonged exercise.

Methodology

  • The study used a randomized crossover design involving four horses.
  • Each horse was administered either a 3L or 8L hypotonic electrolyte solution (PNW) or water alone (CON) one hour before exercise.
  • The exercise involved running on a treadmill until fatigue at 35% of peak VO2 or for 45 minutes at 50% of peak VO2.
  • Blood samples were taken at 10-minute intervals before, during, and after the exercise. Each sample was tested for dependent and independent acid-base variables.

Findings

  • The study found minimal effects from the 3L supplementation in low exercise intensities.
  • However, during the 8L trials, plasma [H+] (a measure of acidity) decreased during exercise and early recovery in the control group (CON) who were given just water, but it did not decrease in the PNW group who were given the electrolyte solution.
  • Plasma TCO2 (a measure of Total Carbon Dioxide) also decreased starting from 30 minutes after PNW administration, reaching a low point during the early exercise period.
  • The changes in acidity and Total Carbon Dioxide were mainly attributed to plasma pCO2 (Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide) and the strong ion difference [SID], respectively.

Conclusion

  • These results suggest that an 8L pre-exercise electrolyte solution can help maintain acidity levels, decrease Total Carbon Dioxide, and mitigate the mild alkalosis that typically occurs during moderate intensity exercise.
  • This means the electrolyte supplementation before exercise likely improves the acid-base state in horses, contrary to the alkalosis typically associated with prolonged exercise.

Cite This Article

APA
Waller AP, Lindinger MI. (2022). Tracing Acid-Base Variables in Exercising Horses: Effects of Pre-Loading Oral Electrolytes. Animals (Basel), 13(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010073

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
PII: 73

Researcher Affiliations

Waller, Amanda P
  • Center for Clinical & Translational Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
Lindinger, Michael I
  • Research and Development, The Nutraceutical Alliance Inc., Guelph, ON N1E 2G7, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Maier I, Kienzle E. A Meta-Analysis on Quantitative Sodium, Potassium and Chloride Metabolism in Horses and Ponies. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 13;15(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15020191pubmed: 39858191google scholar: lookup
  2. Titotto AC, Santos MM, Ramos GV, Adão MDS, Benvenuto GV, De Lacerda LCC, Lisbôa JAN, Lacerda-Neto JC. Effect of Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Training on the Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Status of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 21;13(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13203290pubmed: 37894014google scholar: lookup
  3. Lindinger MI. Oral Electrolyte and Water Supplementation in Horses. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 10;9(11).
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