Training Program Intensity Induces an Acute Phase Response in Clinically Healthy Horses.
Abstract: Physiological and hematochemical changes associated with exercise have been extensively investigated in equine species. It is known that stress elevates circulating levels of acute phase proteins (APPs). This survey evaluated whether horses trained with different training programs exhibit changes in APP levels after exercise event. Twenty Saddle Italian horses (11 geldings and 9 females, 9 ± 1 years old, body weight of 425 ± 35 kg) were divided into two equal groups according to the intensity of training programs they were subjected: group A was subjected to an intense training program, group B was subjected to a moderate training program. At the end of the training period, horses were subjected to a simulated exercise event (show jumping course of 400 m length with 12 obstacles). From horses, blood samples were collected at rest conditions (TREST) and after 12 and 24 hour from the end of exercise (T12 h and T24 h); the concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, albumin, total proteins, iron, and fibrinogen was assessed. The circulating levels of SAA, fibrinogen, and iron were influenced by simulated exercise event (P < .01), starting from 12 hour after the end of exercise, suggesting the onset of an acute phase-like response, and it would seem that training program intensity the horses underwent also affected the degree of response, although only SAA values were significantly different between groups (P < .001). The findings obtained suggest that jumping exercise induces an acute phase response; however, further studies are advocated to better evaluate mechanisms by which exercise activates this response in the athletic horse.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-03-06 PubMed ID: 32303313DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102986Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study examines the effect of program intensity on the physiological response—the acute phase response—of clinically health horses after an exercise event.
Overview of the Research Article
- The research examined the relationship between the intensity of a training program for horses and the horses’ acute phase response after an exercise event.
- Acute phase response is a physiological reaction that horses exhibit after a stressful event, such as exercise. It involves increases in levels of acute phase proteins (APPs), which are measurable proteins in the bloodstream associated with inflammation or tissue injury.
- Physiological and hematochemical changes associated with exercise have been widely studied in equine species, leading to an understanding of the elevated levels of APPs as a result of stress.
Research Methodology
- Participants: The study involved twenty Saddle Italian horses, comprises 11 geldings and 9 females, averaging 9 ± 1 years of age and a body weight of approximately 425 ± 35 kg.
- The horses were divided into two groups based on the intensity of their respective training programs. Group A underwent an intense training program while Group B underwent a moderate one.
- The training was followed by a simulated exercise event – a show jumping course 400 m in length with 12 obstacles.
- Blood samples were collected from the horses during rest (T) and at 12 and 24 hours (T and T) after the exercise.
- These samples were then tested for the concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, albumin, total proteins, iron, and fibrinogen. These are indicators commonly associated with acute phase response.
Research Findings
- The experiment found notable changes in certain protein levels following the simulated exercise event.
- Circulating levels of SAA, fibrinogen, and iron were affected by the exercise, with changes becoming apparent from 12 hours following the end of the exercise.
- This resulted in the suggestion of an onset of an acute phase-like response, which means the exercise stimulated a stress reaction in horses.
- Importantly, the degree of response appeared to be influenced by the intensity of the training program the horses followed. However, only SAA values showed a significant difference between the groups.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that training and subsequent exercise induce an acute phase response in horses’ physiological state.
- The intensity of the training program can potentially affect the degree of this response.
- However, the researchers called for more research to provide deeper insight into the mechanisms through which exercise induces this response in athletic horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Arfuso F, Giannetto C, Fazio F, Panzera F, Piccione G.
(2020).
Training Program Intensity Induces an Acute Phase Response in Clinically Healthy Horses.
J Equine Vet Sci, 88, 102986.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102986 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Images, Specializing in Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy. Electronic address: giuseppe.piccione@unime.it.
MeSH Terms
- Acute-Phase Proteins
- Acute-Phase Reaction / veterinary
- Animals
- Female
- Haptoglobins
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Serum Amyloid A Protein
Citations
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