Effects of feeding meals with various soluble-carbohydrate content on muscle glycogen synthesis after exercise in horses

OBJECTIVES: To determine effects of feeding diets with various soluble-carbohydrate (CHO) content on rates of muscle glycogen synthesis after exercise in horses. ANIMALS: 7 fit horses. PROCEDURES: In a 3-way crossover study, horses received each of 3 isocaloric diets (a high soluble CHO [HC] diet, a low soluble CHO [LC] diet, or a mixed soluble CHO [MC] diet). For each diet, horses were subjected to glycogen-depleting exercise, followed by feeding of the HC, LC, or MC diet at 8-hour intervals for 72 hours. RESULTS: Feeding the HC diet resulted in a significantly higher glycemic response for 72 hours and significantly greater muscle glycogen concentration at 48 and 72 hours after exercise, compared with results after feeding the MC and LC diets. Muscle glycogen concentrations similar to baseline concentrations were detected in samples obtained 72 hours after exercise in horses when fed the HC diet. Rate of glycogen synthesis was significantly higher when horses were fed the HC diet, compared with values when horses were fed the MC and LC diets. Glycogen synthase activity was inversely related to glycogen content. Protein content of glucose transporter-4 was the lowest at 72 hours after exercise when horses were fed the HC diet. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Muscle glycogen synthesis was slower after glycogen-depleting exercise in horses, compared with synthesis in humans. Feeding HC meals after strenuous exercise hastened replenishment of muscle glycogen content, compared with results for feeding of LC and MC diets, by increasing availability of blood glucose to skeletal muscles.     

Protein requirements of mature working horses

Eighteen mature horses were used to study proteins requirements of working horses. Treatments included intense exercise, medium exercise and maintenance in a 3 X 3 factorial arrangement with three levels of calculated dietary crude protein (CP; 8.5, 7.0 and 5.5%). The horses were on the various exercise-protein treatments for 60 d, then fasted 4 d to evaluate their N status after the treatment period. Exercise had no significant effect on body weight over the feeding and fasting periods. No one exercise or protein treatment expressed the classical low plasma albumin or total protein concentrations of protein-deficient or malnourished animals. Plasma urea N (PUN) concentrations reflected the amount of protein in the diet, with the horses fed the high-protein treatment having the highest PUN concentration (P less than .05). Fasting brought about a significant rise in the urinary percentage of urea + NH3 N, with the highest protein treatment excreting the highest percentage (P less than .05). Because plasma protein concentrations were maintained and labile protein reserves were apparently not depleted, it appears that the lowest protein diet containing 1.9 g digestible protein/W.75 was adequate, regardless of work load.     

Effect of short-term feed restriction and calorie source on hormonal and metabolic responses in geldings receiving a small meal

The metabolic effects of short-term feed restriction and dietary calorie source were studied in horses receiving high-roughage or high-concentrate diets. Four Thoroughbred geldings were assigned to four treatment groups in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment. The four treatments were 1) a nutritionally adequate high-roughage ration (70% roughage, 30% concentrate; AHR), 2) a nutritionally adequate high-concentrate ration (40% roughage, 60% concentrate; AHC), 3) 70% of the intake of the AHR diet (RHR), and 4) 70% of the intake of the AHC diet (RHC). Diets AHR and AHC were designed to meet the caloric need of horses undergoing moderately intense work. Blood samples were taken on the first 7 d of each period for analysis of serum T4 and T3 concentrations. On d 9 of each feeding period, each horse was fed 1.0 kg of oats as the morning meal. Jugular blood was sampled before and immediately after, as well as at 30 min after, completion of the meal and subsequently every hour for 7 h. Daily serum T4 and T3 concentrations were not affected by day, feeding level, or diet composition. Meal feeding produced an increase (P < 0.01) in T4 and T3 concentrations when horses were adapted to the AHR and AHC diets but not the RHR or RHC diets. Thyroxine concentrations were lowest (P < 0.05) when horses were adapted to the AHC diet. Glucose (P < 0.05), insulin (P < 0.01), and NEFA (P < 0.01) concentrations were higher in response to the meal when horses received RHR than for the other diets. These results indicate that nutrient restriction alters responses to meal feeding in horses and that this response may also be affected by the dietary roughage:concentrate ratio.     

Aldosterone plasma concentration in horses with heart valve insufficiencies

In humans and small animals, heart disease can lead to an increase in aldosterone, and the aldosterone level correlates with the severity of the heart disease. In horses similar interactions may be possible and may lead to an increase in aldosterone in horses with heart valve insufficiencies. In a prospective clinical trial eight healthy horses (control group) and 40 horses with heart valve disease were examined. In all horses, a clinical (auscultation), electro- and echocardiographic examination was performed and aldosterone plasma concentration was determined. The median aldosterone plasma concentration in the control group was 23.95 pg/ml. Twenty-one out of 40 horses with heart valve insufficiencies and without dimensional changes by echocardiography (group 1) showed a median aldosterone plasma concentration of 45.5 pg/ml. Five out of the 40 horses had a left atrial (LA) dilation and an average LA size with 147.6+/-11 mm (group 2) and a median aldosterone plasma concentration of 95.9 pg/ml. Five other horses had a left ventricular (LV) dilation with an average LV size of 141.6+/-6.8 mm (group 3) and a median aldosterone plasma concentration of about 115.3 pg/ml. In this group a positive correlation between aldosterone plasma concentration and LV existed (r=0.9, P=0.03). Nine horses with both LA (152.8+/-11.4 mm) and LV dilatation (145+/-9 mm, group 4) had a median aldosterone plasma concentration of 161.2 pg/ml. Significant differences of the aldosterone concentrations were observed between the control group and the horses with LA and LV dilation (group 4, P=0.0005), as well as between group 1 (horses with heart valve insufficiency but without dilation) and group 4 (P=0.0006). The study confirms that, as reported for other species, aldosterone rises as the severity of valvular disease increases. However, in this study, as there is only significant difference from normal in the most affected group, it will require further study before the plasma aldosterone level can be relied on as an indicator of the severity of heart disease in an individual horse.     

Changes in intramuscular amino acid levels in submaximally exercised horses – a pilot study

The time‐dependent changes in intramuscular amino acid (AA) levels caused by exercise and by feeding a protein/AA supplement were analysed in nine horses. Horses were submitted to a total of four standardized exercise tests (SETs). Amino acid concentrations were determined prior to, immediately after, 4 and 18 h after exercise. The experiment was subdivided into two consecutive periods of 3 weeks. In each period two SETs were performed. In the second period, horses were given a protein/AA supplement within 1 h after exercise. Significant changes in mean plasma AA levels similar to previous studies were noted to be time‐dependent and to be associated with feeding the supplement. The intramuscular concentrations of the free AA in relation to pre‐exercise levels showed significant time‐dependent changes for alanine, asparagine, aspartate, citrulline, glutamine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, serine, taurine, threonine, tyrosine and valine. Feeding the supplement significantly increased the 4 h post‐exercise intramuscular concentration of alanine, isoleucine, methionine and tyrosine. At 18 h after exercise, apart from isoleucine and methionine, levels were still increased and also those of asparagine, histidine and valine in relation to none treatment. Hence, it was concluded that AA mixtures administered orally to horses within 1 h after exercise increased intramuscular AA pool.     

Plasma aldosterone and electrolyte concentrations in exercising thoroughbred horses fed two diets in summer and winter

In a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment conducted in summer, eight mature Thoroughbred horses received two diets, control and fat-supplemented, and were exercised at two fitness levels designed to increase daily digestible energy (DE) requirements to approximately 150% (fitness level I) and 200% (fitness level II) of maintenance. In a second experiment during the winter, horses received the two diets in a switchback design and exercised at fitness level II. After 3 wk adaptation to treatments, feed and fecal samples were collected and horses galloped a standardized exercise test (SET) designed to increase the heart rate above 185 bpm for 1200 m. Vital signs were monitored and blood samples were obtained. Feed intake increased as fitness level increased (P < .05). Horses on the fat-supplemented diet required less feed (P < .05) to meet the energy requirements at a given fitness level. Daily DE intake was higher (P < .05) for the horses exercised at fitness level II to meet the increased metabolic demands. Heart rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature all increased (P < .05) with exercise. No treatment effects were found for heart rate (P >. 10) or rectal temperature (P > .30). Horses exercised in the winter had lower (P < .05) respiration rates, indicative of less problems dissipating excess body heat. Plasma aldosterone concentrations increased (P < .05) with exercise, corresponding to an increase in plasma K concentrations. Horses exercised in the summer exhibited higher (P < .05) plasma aldosterone concentrations than horses worked in the winter. Plasma CI and Na concentrations did not change (P > .30) with any treatment or exercise, indicating that the horses were not sufficiently stressed to induce any significant dehydration.     

Absence of Feeding-Induced Variations in Plasma Insulin in Hypoglycaemic-Ketonaemic Cows

The effects of food intake on plasma insulin levels were studied in 38 cows with plasma sugar ranging from 41 to 86 mg/100 ml and acetoacetate (Acac) ranging from 0.2 to 18 mg/100 ml, measured before morning feeding. The animals were fed concentrates, silage and hay. Blood samples were taken immediately before feeding in the morning and at intervals of % to 1 hr. during the following 4 hrs.In animals with low blood Acac, plasma insulin concentrations began to increase as early as 1/2 hr. after the start of feeding and reached maxima after 2 hrs. Simultaneously Acac increased and sugar decreased markedly. Animals with Acac levels > 1 mg/100 ml had low pre-feeding insulin concentrations, and the level of the hormone did not increase after feeding. They did not show systematic changes in Acac. But plasma sugar tended to decrease when food was given, even in the absence of insulin increments in peripheral blood.Glucose was infused at a low rate (0.9 g/min.) for 18 hrs. into a hypoglycaemic, ketonaemic cow. As her glucose and ketone levels became normalized, she also responded to feeding with insulin increments. But throughout the experiment her plasma insulin remained considerably lower than in an identically treated control animal which had low Acac levels before the infusion. It appears that the endocrine adjustments during ketonaemia in cows include, beside low basal (pre-feeding) insulin levels, an inhibition of the normally occurring elevation of plasma insulin after feeding.     

Correlation of Plasma Insulin Concentration with Laminitis Score in a Field Study of Equine Cushing's Disease and Equine Metabolic Syndrome

This study aimed to investigate endocrinologic test values and the response to treatment of two commonly encountered causes of endocrinopathic laminitis, equine Cushing's disease (ECD) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), in a veterinary practice setting. In particular, the study aimed to determine whether insulin concentration correlated to the severity of clinical laminitis in horses with EMS or ECD. Twenty-five horses were included in the study and assigned to one of three groups: ECD (n = 6), EMS (n = 10), and controls (n = 9). Blood samples were collected at an initial visit and then at regular intervals for the next 12 months. Plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, and insulin and serum concentrations of glucose and total thyroxine (T4) were obtained. Horses with ECD had significantly higher plasma ACTH concentrations than EMS horses or controls. Horses with EMS and ECD both had significantly higher plasma insulin concentrations than control horses, which was correlated with the Obel grade of laminitis (r = 0.63). After treatment, there was a trend for a reduction in plasma ACTH concentration in horses with ECD. A program of diet and exercise for horses with EMS resulted in reductions in both plasma insulin concentrations and bodyweight, which was variable, depending on the individual. There was a significant correlation between the change in plasma insulin concentration and Obel grade of laminitis (r = 0.69). This study has highlighted the importance of baseline plasma insulin concentration as a potential indicator of the susceptibility of horses to laminitis and the response to a program of diet and exercise.     

Exercise induced hormonal and metabolic changes in Thoroughbred horses: effects of conditioning and acepromazine

Nine Thoroughbred horses were assessed to determine the normal response of insulin, glucose, cortisol, plasma potassium (K) and erythrocyte K through conditioning and to exercise over 400 and 1,000 m. In addition, adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, plasma K, erythrocyte K and L-lactate concentrations were evaluated in response to maximal exercise with and without the administration of acepromazine. Conditioning caused no obvious trends in plasma K, erythrocyte K, insulin or glucose concentration. Serum cortisol increased (P less than 0.05) from the initial sample at Week 1 to Weeks 4 and 5 (attributed to a response to training), and then decreased. During conditioning, three horses had low erythrocyte K concentrations (less than 89.3 mmol/litre). Further work is needed to define the significance of low erythrocyte K concentrations in the performance horse. In all tests maximal exercise increased plasma K, glucose and cortisol concentrations, whereas insulin and erythrocyte K concentrations decreased. Thirty minutes following exercise, plasma K and erythrocyte K concentrations returned to resting values; whereas glucose and cortisol concentrations continued to increase and the insulin concentration also was increased. The magnitude of the changes varied for pre-conditioned vs post-conditioned exercise tests and the duration of exercise. The administration of acepromazine prior to exercise over 1,000 m failed to alter the circulating noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations in anticipation of exercise or 2 mins following exercise. Acepromazine administration, however, did cause lower L-lactate concentration 2 mins (P less than 0.03) and 30 mins (P less than or equal to 0.005) following exercise. Also, erythrocyte K showed a delayed return to baseline levels at 30 mins post exercise. Further evaluation of these trends may help explain the beneficial role acepromazine plays in limiting signs of exertional rhabdomyolysis when administered prior to exercise.     

Metabolic response of horses to a high soluble carbohydrate diet: effects of low-intensity submaximal exercise and sodium bicarbonate supplementation.

Four mares fed a low fiber, high soluble carbohydrate diet were used in a crossover design to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation during daily low-intensity submaximal working conditions. Mares were fed the diet at 1.7 times the maintenance energy requirement for mature horses at work. The horses tolerated the diet well and had no clinical abnormalities. Resting venous blood bicarbonate (HCO3), standard HCO3, and base excess (BE) concentrations significantly (P less than 0.05) increased with NaHCO3 supplementation, but no significant changes in resting venous blood pH or carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) were recorded. Venous blood HCO3, standard HCO3, BE, hemoglobin, and heart rate were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased and plasma lactate concentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in the control horses and in the horses given the NaHCO3 supplement during low-intensity submaximal exercise. There were no significant changes in venous blood pH, PCO2, or plasma protein concentration with exercise. Venous blood HCO3, standard HCO3, and BE concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater during submaximal exercise in horses given the NaHCO3 supplement. There were no significant differences in plasma lactate or total protein concentrations, blood pH, PCO2, or hemoglobin concentration between the 2 groups during exercise.     

Additive effects of a sodium chloride restricted diet and furosemide administration in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a low or high sodium (Na) diet with or without furosemide administration on plasma electrolyte concentrations and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: 20 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly allotted to 4 groups of 5 dogs each as follows: dogs fed a low Na diet (0.08% Na and 0.8% chloride [CI] on a dry matter [DM] basis); dogs fed a low Na diet with added NaCl (1.0% Na and 2.2% Cl on a DM basis); dogs fed a low Na diet and treated with furosemide (2 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 12 h); and dogs fed a low Na diet with added NaCl and treated with furosemide. Plasma electrolyte concentrations were measured on days 0, 21, and 35. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were analyzed by use of radioimmunoassays on days 0, 21, 35, and 53. RESULTS: Furosemide treatment significantly decreased plasma Cl concentration and significantly increased plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration. Dogs fed a low Na diet had significantly higher plasma renin activities and plasma aldosterone concentrations. A significant interaction between a low Na diet and furosemide administration resulted in the lowest plasma Cl concentrations, highest plasma renin activities, and highest plasma aldosterone concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In healthy dogs, feeding a low Na diet and administering furosemide resulted in an additive effect on plasma Cl concentration, renin activity, and aldosterone concentration, which may be an important consideration for treating dogs with cardiac disease.     

Effects of fat feeding and energy level on plasma metabolites and hormones in Shetland ponies

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a fat-supplemented diet compared with a carbohydrate diet on the lipid metabolism and the enteroinsular axis of Shetland ponies. The 'crossover' experiment was divided into two parts: in the first 10 weeks the diets comprised the correct number of calories according to requirements and in the following 10 weeks they were hypercaloric, in order to check the effect of a different energy content of the diets. Feeding the fat-enriched diet, independently of its energy content, led to a significant decrease in plasma triglycerides, associated with a mean 50% increase of plasma lipoprotein lipase activity. After oral glucose load the ponies on fat-enriched diets showed higher plasma glucose concentrations. Oral glucose administration after feeding the hypercaloric fat-enriched diet led to a 25-fold increase of plasma insulin levels. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide plasma levels were increased in the animals on the fat-enriched diets. The results of this study suggest that fat feeding improves triglyceride clearance. However, the fat supplementation of the diet also led to impaired glucose tolerance. These results are important for a better understanding of the function of the enteroinsular axis. To investigate the influences of fat on lipid metabolism in relation to the aetiopathogenesis of equine hyperlipaemia further studies involving diseased animals are needed.     

The course of some bone remodelling plasma metabolites in healthy horses and in horses offered a calcium-deficient diet

An inquiry was carried out to assess the concentrations of plasma metabolites related to bone remodelling in 21 saddle horses of Warmblood breed aged 4-26 years, five draught horses of Ardennes breed aged 4-10 years, and 10 Ardennes foals aged 9-11 months. They were fed according to normal feeding practice in Belgium. The changes in some bone remodelling plasma metabolite concentrations were studied when an unbalanced diet was offered and later corrected for four Warmblood horses. Bone formation was evaluated by bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) and osteocalcin (bone gla-protein, OC). Bone resorption was assessed by hydroxyproline (HYP). Total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus (P) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25-(OH)D] concentrations were more or less constant. The comparison of four bone remodelling factors between the Ardennes and Warmblood horses showed higher concentrations in the Ardennes breed. Bone marker concentrations decreased according to age. The correction of the unbalanced Ca : P diet induced inconsistent effects at plasma level. The interpretation of the different bone parameters appeared to be difficult if not associated with other parameters such as a complete anamnesis and clinical examination of the animal in addition to dietary evaluation.     

Comparison of Insulin Sensitivity of Horses Adapted to Different Exercise Intensities

Diets high in concentrates and soluble carbohydrates are associated with reduced insulin sensitivity in horses. Exercise training could protect against diet-induced insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to determine the intensity of exercise training required to affect insulin sensitivity in stabled horses fed a diet high in concentrates but moderate in soluble carbohydrates. In all, 31 stabled horses underwent three different exercise regimens: turnout, light exercise, and moderate exercise, while being fed a diet containing 60% concentrate. Blood was sampled monthly and analyzed for insulin. Insulin sensitivity was assessed using basal insulin concentrations and calculated insulin sensitivity (reciprocal of the square root of insulin) and compared across months by analysis of variance with repeated measures. Insulin sensitivity (reciprocal of the square root of insulin) was higher during periods of moderate and light physical activity as compared with turnout. These results indicate that turnout alone may not be adequate to improve insulin sensitivity in horses fed high amounts of concentrate.     

Plasma beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotrophin in young horses in training

A controlled period of submaximal exercise on a treadmill was used as a standardised stress test in 6 young horses to monitor the effects of training. Circulating plasma concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (IR beta-EP) were measured before, during and after the exercise period. The stress test was conducted on 3 occasions during an intensive training program lasting 14 weeks. In week 3 a marked increase in plasma IR beta-EP (P = 0.003) was demonstrated as a result of training, but by the last exercise test performed in week 9 no significant increase in plasma IR beta-EP concentrations could be detected. During the training period the basal concentrations of plasma IR beta-EP significantly decreased (P = 0.0059). Plasma adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) did not increase during exercise, although there was a trend of decreasing basal plasma ACTH by the end of the training period. It was concluded that a standardised work test acted as a mild stress to unfit horses, but as the horses' fitness increased the hormonal response to exercise diminished. Basal plasma beta-EP concentrations were decreased with increasing fitness.     

Water intake and fluid shifts in horses: effects of hydration status during two exercise tests

In the present study, the main objective was to study factors affecting postexercise voluntary water intake in horses. Four Standardbred horses (mean +/- s.e. bwt 500 +/- 8 kg) were used to study water intake and effects of altering hydration status before an incremental exercise test (INCR) and a 40 min constant velocity exercise test (CONST) on a treadmill. Exercise was performed during normohydration (N), after dehydration for 24 h (DEH) and after hyperhydration with 12 l water 30 min before exercise (HH). DEH resulted in a bodyweight loss of 3% and there were signs of some fluid uptake prior to exercise in both HH trials. By the end of the INCR, the calculated change in plasma volume (PVcalc) was -13 +/- 1, -21 +/- 1 and -11 +/- 3% in the N, DEH and HH trials, respectively. During the highest exercise velocities a hypotonic shift of fluid was seen in all INCR trials. There was a greater accumulation of plasma lactate (pLA) in HH-than in N-INCR, probably caused by the extra weight to be carried. CONST induced a similar fluid loss (3%) in all trials, but the decrease in PVcalc at the end of exercise was significantly smaller in HH (-7 +/- 2%) than in N (-14 +/- 1%) and DEH (-19 +/- 2%). In DEH-INCR and DEH-CONST, plasma sodium concentration (pNa) was higher than in N until drinking water was offered 1 h postexercise. In the presence of both an increased pNa and a decrease in PVcalc when dehydrated, the horses drank immediately when offered water postexercise. In N-CONST, there was a significant decrease in calculated PVcalc (-10 +/- 2%) but no increase in pNa when water was given and in this trial the horses rehydrated less rapidly. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) had increased to the same magnitude in all trials after about 10 min, irrespective of type of exercise or hydration status. It was concluded that when both an osmotic and hypovolemic thirst stimulus was present, the horses rehydrated more rapidly postexercise.     

Genetic-diet interactions in the Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis syndrome in Quarter Horses fed varying amounts of potassium: I. Potassium and sodium balance, packed cell volume and plasma potassium and sodium concentrations

Six broodmares that were genetically tested to be heterozygous (H/N) and six broodmares that were tested to be homozygous negative (N/N) for Equine Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), that were descendents of the same stallion, were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin square experiment to determine the genetic-diet relationships in the HYPP syndrome.¹ The mares were fed rations consisting of 65% pelleted concentrate and 35% Coastal Bermuda grass hay that provided 1.1 (diet A), 1.9 (diet B) and 2.9% (diet C) potassium. The experimental periods were 14 days long, resulting in 28 meals per period. At meals 1 and 27, blood samples were taken every 30 minutes for 12 hours and every 10 minutes from 2 to 5 hours post-feeding. Total urine and fecal collections were made on the last 4 days of each period.Water, feed and fecal samples were analyzed for sodium and potassium content. Blood was analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma potassium (K⁺) and sodium (Na⁺) concentrations.Apparent absorption of potassium was 99.8% across all diets, and potassium was excreted principally in the urine. More potassium was retained when the horses were fed diet B than diets A or C. Apparent absorption of sodium was 99.6% with no difference by diet. Neither potassium nor sodium balances were affected by HYPP status.There was no post-prandial pattern of plasma K⁺ concentration seen when the horses were fed the low potassium diet. When fed the higher potassium diets, they had greater plasma K⁺ values and exhibited a post-prandial peak at 2 to 5 hours after feeding. This peak occurred in all of the horses, meaning that plasma K⁺ cannot be used as a diagnostic aid for the presence of the HYPP mutation. By meal 27, some adaptation had occurred resulting in lower plasma K⁺ values when the horses were fed the higher potassium diets. The horses had increased plasma K⁺ concentrations throughout the post-prandial period while fed diet B compared to diet A, agreeing with the positive potassium balance seen in this experiment. The HYPP H/N horses had lower plasma Na⁺ concentrations in the early post-prandial hours and continuously greater PCV values than the HYPP N/N horses.     

-I plasma concentrations in non-treated horses and horses administered with methionyl equine somatotropin

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF -I) is likely to be an indicator of somatotropin (ST) administration in the horse. To investigate the different ways ST administration may be detected, the following aspects of IGF -I concentrations in plasma were studied: (i) the daily variation; (ii) variation following a treadmill test; (iii) concentrations at rest and after exercise; and (iv) concentrations in plasma from two young horses and two adults treated with methionyl equine somatotropin (e ST). In the population of horses at rest, IGF -I mean concentration (SEM) was 261 (104) ng ml(-1). In post race samples, IGF -I mean concentration was 187 (100) ng ml(-1). All of these data indicate that exercise does not modify IGF -I concentration in plasma. The magnitude of the increase in IGF -I following administration of e ST differed according to the age of the horses. The critical value of 700 ng ml(-1)was exceeded for 1 day in adult horses and for at least 11 days in young horses. These results show that IGF -I has potential as an indirect marker of ST administration in horses.     

A survey on the feeding of eventing horses during competition

Summary This study aims at the comparison of the actual feeding of horses with the recommendations from the literature, and it studies the effects of feeding and exercise on several blood metabolic parameters before and after exercise. Blood samples were collected from 25 horses during one‐star eventing competitions and evaluated for blood glucose, insulin, lactate, free fatty acids and triglyceride levels. Questionnaires on the feeding practices of the horses were evaluated. The questionnaires revealed that during training, and on tournament days, horses received on average 4.3 kg of concentrate per day (min. 1.54 kg, max. 8 kg). The statistical analysis showed no significant effect of the amount of concentrate fed before exercise on the measured blood values. Oil was supplied as a supplementary energy source to 30% of the horses, but most of them only received very small quantities (0.02–0.4 l/day). Five horses (20%) had no access to salt supplements at all, and eleven horses (45%) had no access to salt on tournament days. Fifteen horses (60%) were supplied with mineral feed. Twenty‐one horses (84%) had daily access to pasture during the training period. During competition, 55% of the horses received roughage ad libitum, compared with 37% during training. The majority of the horses received less roughage on days before the cross‐country competition. It could not be ascertained whether feeding a large amounts of roughage had a beneficial effect on performance, because only a few horses in this study were fed with very restrictive roughage. Feeding of most of the horses was in agreement with the recommendations from the literature, except the need for sodium and chloride. The sodium and chloride need for sport horses may be overestimated in literature and needs to be re‐evaluated.     

The plasma level of triacylglycerols in horses fed high-fat diets containing either soybean oil or palm oil

The influence of dietary soybean oil versus palm oil on the plasma level of triacylglycerols was determined in a crossover experiment with four horses. Based on published data for humans and laboratory animals it was expected that a diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids in the form of soybean oil compared to saturated fatty acids in the form of palm oil would lower the plasma triacylglycerol level. The feeding of soybean oil versus palm oil for a period of four weeks did not change the level of plasma triacylglycerols in horses. Mean levels of triacylglycerol, free fatty acids and 3-hydroxybutyrate were 0.17 (SE, 0.04), 0.44 (SE, 0.063) and 0.16 (SE, 0.008) mmol/l, respectively. The fatty acid composition of the plasma triacylglycerols reflected the fatty acid composition of the diets. The activity of lipoprotein lipase was not different between the treatments. It is concluded that, under the present experimental conditions, the feeding of soybean oil to horses does not affect triacylglycerol secretion into plasma and thus does not influence the concentration of plasma triacylgycerols, when compared to the feeding of palm oil.