Acta Vet. Brno 2013, 82: 161-167

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201382020161

Biochemical responses to a non-standard exercise in horses trained for jumping

Vladimír Hura1, Franišek Novotný1, Martin Boldižár1, Martin Rédl1, Jana Noskovičová1, Slavomír Horňák2, Vladimír Petrovič3, Gabriel Lazar3, Gabriel Kováč3

1University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Horses, Košice, Slovak Republic
2University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Small Animals, Košice, Slovak Republic
3University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Ruminants, Košice, Slovak Republic

The aims of this study were to analyze the indices of mineral, enzymatic, protein and lipid metabolism, and the antioxidant status in horses trained for jumping after prolonged exercise. A total of 10 Slovak warmblood horses (aged 6–15 years) trained for jumping were used. Blood samples were taken before and after the jumping training (control), immediately after prolonged exercise and after the following 36 h of rest. Control samplings showed no signs of exercise-induced dehydration, but an increase of haematological indices, increased concentration of lactate and increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase whose changes may be indicative of splenic blood efflux and activation of anaerobic metabolism. On the other hand, changes of biochemical indices (such as: increased alanine aminotrasferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase, decreased K and Fe, increased malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase) that are indicative for the muscle membrane leakage, oxidative stress and electrolyte imbalances, and alterations of intermediary metabolism were found due to the non-standard prolonged exercise. Although this study demonstrates that trained horses adapted to a certain exercise regimen are exposed to oxidative and metabolic stress by non-standard prolonged workload, further research is required to assign an appropriate resting regime needed to compensate for the induced biochemical changes.

References

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