<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>During intensive physical activity horses are exposed to thermolysis, electrolyte loss and rising amounts of catabolic products, which results in alterations of biochemical blood parameters due to the horse’s adaptation to metabolic stress. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of intensive physical activity on serum biochemical parameters in horses competing in 40 and 80 km endurance races. Blood samples were taken from 28 horses before and after the race over four competitions, with a total of 53 samples analyzed. Biochemical parameters studied included creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The extent of change in pre- and post-race values was compared between categories of age, gender, breed, distance and average speed of horses. Creatine kinase and blood glucose values prior to the race were higher than the reference values. Values of renal parameters and parameters of muscle damage increased after the races, and the degree of change was more pronounced at longer racing lengths, as well as at lower average speed. Electrolyte loss was more prominent during longer races. This study demonstrated that endurance races cause evident changes in serum electrolyte concentrations, renal parameters and markers of muscle damage in horses. These changes are observable in horses at both short and long duration endurance races.</p></abstract>

During intensive physical activity horses are exposed to thermolysis, electrolyte loss and rising amounts of catabolic products, which results in alterations of biochemical blood parameters due to the horse’s adaptation to metabolic stress. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of intensive physical activity on serum biochemical parameters in horses competing in 40 and 80 km endurance races. Blood samples were taken from 28 horses before and after the race over four competitions, with a total of 53 samples analyzed. Biochemical parameters studied included creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The extent of change in pre- and post-race values was compared between categories of age, gender, breed, distance and average speed of horses. Creatine kinase and blood glucose values prior to the race were higher than the reference values. Values of renal parameters and parameters of muscle damage increased after the races, and the degree of change was more pronounced at longer racing lengths, as well as at lower average speed. Electrolyte loss was more prominent during longer races. This study demonstrated that endurance races cause evident changes in serum electrolyte concentrations, renal parameters and markers of muscle damage in horses. These changes are observable in horses at both short and long duration endurance races.

Changes in biochemical parameters in horses during 40 km and 80 km endurance races

Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Center of Excellence for Marine Bioprospecting BioProCro

Clinic for Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Acta Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

During intensive physical activity horses are exposed to thermolysis, electrolyte loss and rising amounts of catabolic products, which results in alterations...

Changes in biochemical parameters in horses during 40 km and 80 km endurance races

Publié en ligne: 29 mars 2019

Pages: 73 - 87

Reçu: 22 janv. 2019

Accepté: 01 mars 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2019-0005

Mots clés
exercise, horse, endurance, metabolism

© 2019 Klobučar Karla et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Changes in biochemical parameters in horses during 40 km and 80 km endurance races

Publié en ligne: 29 mars 2019

Pages: 73 - 87

Reçu: 22 janv. 2019

Accepté: 01 mars 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2019-0005

Mots clésexercise, horse, endurance, metabolism

© 2019 Klobučar Karla et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
exercise, horse, endurance, metabolism