Transport induced inflammatory responses in horses.
Abstract: Deleterious response to road transport is an important problem in equine practice. It determines different physiological, immunological and metabolic changes which lead to increased susceptibility to several disorders such as pneumonia, diarrhea, colics, laminitis, injuries and rhabdomyolisis. The aim of our study was to look for possible relationships between transportation of female young and older horses over a long and short distance and an inflammatory state reflected by an increase of acute phase protein concentration, oxidative stress and muscle injury. The study was conducted on 24 cold-blooded female horses divided into four groups. Six fillies aged 6-18 months and six mares aged 10-12 years were transported over the distance of about 550 km, six fillies aged 6-18 months and six mares aged 10-12 years were transported over the distance of about 50 km. Plasma and serum were obtained from blood samples taken before transportation (T0), immediately after transportation (T1) and at an abattoir during slaughter (T2). In these samples fibrinogen, MDA, AST and CK were assessed. Fibrinogen increased in all studied groups especially in fillies after long distance transportation, where it reached 205±7.07 mg/dl before transportation, 625±35.35 mg/dl after transportation, and 790±14.14 mg/dl during slaughter. MDA concentrations rose after transportation and reached the maximal level during slaughter. CK activity was more elevated after short transportation in younger horses, whereas initial activity of AST was higher in older horses. We estimated that intensified responses from acute phase, oxidative stress and muscle injury parameters indicated an inflammatory state.
Publication Date: 2015-07-15 PubMed ID: 26172192DOI: 10.1515/pjvs-2015-0052Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article examines the link between transporting horses over long and short distances and the occurrence of inflammatory reactions in the animals. It reveals that transport can induce physiological and immunological changes in horses, possibly leading to various disorders.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The aim of the paper was to investigate the connection between transportation over varying distances and the inflammatory state in horses, indicated by a rise in acute phase protein concentration, oxidative stress, and muscle injury.
- The research utilized a sample size of 24 cold-blooded female horses, which were split into four groups: fillies aged 6-18 months and mares aged 10-12 years, each of which were transported over distances of roughly 50 km and 550 km.
- Researchers collected blood samples prior to transportation, immediately after, and during slaughter at an abattoir. From these samples, they analyzed fibrinogen, malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate transferase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK) levels.
Research Findings
- Fibrinogen, a protein produced during acute-phase inflammation and related to stress response, increased in all groups. This particularly affected fillies after a long-distance journey, suggesting younger horses experience higher stress during transportation.
- MDA levels, indicating oxidative stress, rose following transportation, peaking during slaughter.
- Researchers found CK activity, indicating muscle damage, was higher after shorter transportation distances in fillies. In contrast, the initial AST activity, also connected to muscle damage, was elevated in older horses.
- Based on changes in acute phase, oxidative stress, and muscle injury parameters, the study inferred that transport induced an inflammatory state in the horses.
Implications of the Research
- This study offers critical insight into the physiological and immunological effects of transportation on horses. The researchers’ findings could inform better animal handling and transport practices in the equine industry to minimize health risks.
- It opens up opportunities for further research into mitigating strategies, such as pre-transport medical protocols or improved vehicle design, to reduce the negative effects of transportation on horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Wessely-Szponder J, Bełkot Z, Bobowiec R, Kosior-Korzecka U, Wójcik M.
(2015).
Transport induced inflammatory responses in horses.
Pol J Vet Sci, 18(2), 407-413.
https://doi.org/10.1515/pjvs-2015-0052 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Biomarkers / blood
- Creatine Kinase / blood
- Creatine Kinase / metabolism
- Female
- Fibrinogen / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses / physiology
- Inflammation / etiology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Malondialdehyde / blood
- Malondialdehyde / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Arrigo F, Aragona F, Faggio C, Giudice E, Giannetto C, Piccione G, Rizzo M, Arfuso F. Monitoring the physiological inflammatory alertness in horse after road transport. Vet Res Commun 2024 Oct;48(5):3331-3338.
- 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).
- Straticò P, Varasano V, Palozzo A, Guerri G, Celani G, Revelant O, Petrizzi L. Retrospective Study on Risk Factors and Short-Term Outcome of Horses Referred for Colic from 2016 to 2022. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Earley B, Edwards S, Faucitano L, Marti S, Miranda de La Lama GC, Costa LN, Thomsen PT, Ashe S, Mur L, Van der Stede Y, Herskin M. Welfare of equidae during transport. EFSA J 2022 Sep;20(9):e07444.
- Bollinger L, Bartel A, Küper A, Weber C, Gehlen H. Age and Hydration of Competing Horses Influence the Outcome of Elite 160 km Endurance Rides. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:668650.
- Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Uchida E, Yamamoto K. Comparison of the proteomes in sera between healthy Thoroughbreds and Thoroughbreds with respiratory disease associated with transport using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. J Equine Sci 2021 Mar;32(1):11-15.
- Fikes KK, Coverdale JA, Leatherwood JL, Campbell JM, Welsh TH Jr, Hartz CJ, Goehring M, Millican AA, Bradbery AN, Wickersham TA. Effect of bioactive proteins on gait kinematics and systemic inflammatory markers in mature horses. Transl Anim Sci 2021 Jan;5(1):txab017.
- Pan X, Lu L, Zeng X, Chang Y, Hua X. Effects of Transportation on Antioxidant Status in Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca fascicularis). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2016;55(5):534-40.
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