<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on some haematological parameters like red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb), haematocrit (Hct), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (Neu) and lymphocytes (Lym) that may have a direct effect on the performance of athletic horses. Ten regularly trained Standardbred horses (6 geldings and 4 females, 4-5 years old, mean body weight 500 ± 25 kg) were used for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received an omega-3 dietary supplementation every day for 30 days. The control group received no supplementation. Every 10 days, horses took part in a 1660 metre harness race and blood samples were collected from each horse: one in the morning before race (pre) and one after race (post). The application of one-way analysis of variance for repeated mesures (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant difference due to the race in the two different groups. The results obtained in the present study show a discordant effect of supplementation with omega-3 on RBC, HCT and Hgb, while omega-3 supplementation has been shown to have a better effect on WBC, Neu and Lym, but further studies should be performed to better evaluate the benefits of these on the performance of the athletic horse.</p></abstract>

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on some haematological parameters like red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb), haematocrit (Hct), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (Neu) and lymphocytes (Lym) that may have a direct effect on the performance of athletic horses. Ten regularly trained Standardbred horses (6 geldings and 4 females, 4-5 years old, mean body weight 500 ± 25 kg) were used for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received an omega-3 dietary supplementation every day for 30 days. The control group received no supplementation. Every 10 days, horses took part in a 1660 metre harness race and blood samples were collected from each horse: one in the morning before race (pre) and one after race (post). The application of one-way analysis of variance for repeated mesures (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant difference due to the race in the two different groups. The results obtained in the present study show a discordant effect of supplementation with omega-3 on RBC, HCT and Hgb, while omega-3 supplementation has been shown to have a better effect on WBC, Neu and Lym, but further studies should be performed to better evaluate the benefits of these on the performance of the athletic horse.

Influence of Omega-3 in Standardbred Horse: Haematological Parameters

Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily “Mirri”, 90100, Palermo, Italy

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell’Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy

Veterinary practitioner, 90100, Palermo, Italy

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Influence of Omega-3 in Standardbred Horse: Haematological Parameters"}

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on some haematological parameters like red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb),...

Influence of Omega-3 in Standardbred Horse: Haematological Parameters

Article Category: The biology, physiology, reproduction, and health

Published Online: Jan 23, 2016

Page range: 145 - 154

Received: Nov 04, 2014

Accepted: Jun 17, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2015-0044

Keywords
horse, physical exercise, haematological parameters, polyunsaturated fatty acid

© by Giuseppe Piccione

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Influence of Omega-3 in Standardbred Horse: Haematological Parameters

Article Category: The biology, physiology, reproduction, and health

Published Online: Jan 23, 2016

Page range: 145 - 154

Received: Nov 04, 2014

Accepted: Jun 17, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2015-0044

Keywordshorse, physical exercise, haematological parameters, polyunsaturated fatty acid

© by Giuseppe Piccione

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
horse, physical exercise, haematological parameters, polyunsaturated fatty acid