Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability in Thoroughbreds during prolonged road transportation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether evaluation of heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) during prolonged road transportation in horses provides a sensitive index of autonomic stimulation. ANIMALS: Five 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: ECGs were recorded as horses were transported for 21 hours in a 9-horse van. Heart rate, high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power, and LF-to-HF ratio from Fourier spectral analyses of ECGs were calculated and compared with values recorded during a 24-hour period of stall rest preceding transportation. RESULTS: HR, HF power, and LF power had diurnal rhythms during stall rest but not during road transportation. Heart rate was higher and HF power and LF power lower during road transportation than stall rest, and HR, HF power, LF power, and LF-to-HF ratio all decreased with time during road transportation. Heart rate during stall rest was weakly and inversely associated with LF power, but during road transportation was strongly associated with LF power, HF power, and LF-to-HF ratio. Neither LF power nor HF power was correlated with LF-to-HF ratio during stall rest, but LF power was strongly and HF power weakly correlated with LF-to-HF ratio during road transportation. High-frequency power and LF power were significantly correlated with each other during stall rest and road transportation. Heart rate was significantly influenced by LF power and LF-to-HF ratio during stall rest (R(2) = 0.40) and by HF power and LF-to-HF ratio during road transportation (R(2) = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: HR is influenced by different sympathovagal mechanisms during stall rest, compared with during road transportation; HRV may be a sensitive indicator of stress in transported horses.     

Changes in heart rate variability in horses during immersion in warm springwater

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of immersion in warm springwater (38 degrees to 40 degrees C) on autonomic nervous activity in horses. ANIMALS: 10 male Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Electrocardiograms were recorded from horses for 15 minutes during a warm springwater bath after being recorded for 15 minutes during stall rest. Variations in heart rate (HR) were evaluated from the power spectrum in terms of low frequency (LF, 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF, 0.07 to 0.6 Hz) power as indices of autonomic nervous activity. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SE) HR during stall rest and immersion in warm springwater was 31.1 +/- 1.7 and 30.3 +/- 1.0 beat/min, respectively. No significant difference was found between the HR recorded during stall rest and that recorded during immersion in warm springwater. The HF power significantly increased from 1,361 +/- 466 milliseconds2 during stall rest to 2,344 +/- 720 milliseconds2 during immersion in warm springwater. The LF power during stall rest and immersion in warm springwater was 3,847 +/- 663 and 5,120 +/- 1,094 milliseconds2, respectively, and were not significantly different from each other. Similarly, the LF:HF ratio did not change during immersion in warm springwater. The frequency of second-degree atrioventricular block, which was observed in 2 horses, increased during immersion in warm springwater, compared with during stall rest. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in HF power indicates that the parasympathetic nervous activity in horses increases during immersion in warm springwater. Thus, immersion in warm springwater may provide a means of relaxation for horses.     

The influence of spasmolytic agents on heart rate variability and gastrointestinal motility in normal horses

The effects of hyoscine-N-butylbromide (hyoscine) and propantheline-bromide (propantheline) on heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contractions in the normal horse were determined. Five adult horses had ECG recordings for 180min after treatment with propantheline (100mg), hyoscine (120mg) or saline. Both propantheline and hyoscine reduced GIT sounds, with propantheline having a longer duration of effect (?120min). Both drugs elevated HR relative to the control baseline period (P<0.05), with the effects of propantheline again being of longer duration. HRV analysis indicated that propantheline suppressed Total Power (P<0.05), and both the high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) components of the power spectral analysis for up to 60-90min post treatment. Hyoscine had no effect on HRV Total Power but reduced the HF component for 30min after drug injection. Time domain variables correlated with Total Power and HF data (P<0.01). The marked effect of these compounds on parasympathetic control of cardiac and GIT function in normal horses should be taken into consideration when evaluating a clinical response to these agents.     

Spectral analysis of circadian rhythms in heart rate variability of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine characteristics of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) during a 24-hour period in dogs and to evaluate the effects of vagal and sympathetic tone on HRV ANIMALS: 16 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Power spectral analysis of HRV was conducted, using 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings. Circadian rhythms were evaluated in terms of absolute units of low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) powers, their ratio (LF:HF), and their adjusted (normalized) units (LF[norm] and HF[norm]). Three or 4 dogs were used for simultaneous measurement of heart rate and respiratory waveform as well as to evaluate treatment (propranolol, atropine, or both) administered to cause blockade of the autonomic nervous system. RESULTS: Values for LF and HF powers, LF:HF, LF(norm), and HF(norm) had obvious rhythmicity in clinically normal dogs. The HF power of HRV in dogs was extremely high, compared with that of other species, and HF peaks corresponded to peaks obtained from respiratory waveforms. Blockade of the autonomic nervous system documented that HRV in dogs was mostly attributable to vagal activity. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We determined characteristics of power spectral analysis of HRV in dogs, including circadian rhythm of the autonomic nervous system. Power spectral analysis of HRV may provide a useful noninvasive technique for assessing the effect of drugs on activity of the autonomic nervous system in dogs.     

The Effect of Training on Yili Horse 1 600 m Test Results and Heart Rate Variability

【Objective】 The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of different training stages on the performance and heart rate variability(HRV) of Yili horses and to provide data for reference in the conditioning training of 1 600 m distance Yili horses.【Method】 Eight 3-year-old Yili horses (stallions) were selected as test subjects.A 3-month speed specific performance training program was conducted, and a speed test race was organized in the last week of each month of training, and HRV was collected before, immediately after, 0.5 h after, and 1 h after 1 600 m test race.Among them, the time-domain indexes included the mean of all R-R intervals (Mean RR), the standard deviation of all R-R intervals (SDNN), the mean heart rate (Mean HR), the root mean square of the difference between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD), the number of adjacent R-R intervals with a difference greater than 50 ms (NN50), and the percentage of adjacent R-R intervals with a difference greater than 50 ms to the total number of heartbeats (pNN50).Frequency domain metrics included very low frequency (VLF), low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF) and nonlinear metrics:standard deviation (Y) of all R-R-spacing (SD1), standard deviation (X) of all R-R-spacing (SD2).Consequently, the variability of HRV indexes in horses at different training stages was analyzed.【Result】 The race time in the post training period in 1 600 m speed test race of Yili horses was significantly lower than that in the early training period (P<0.05), and Mean RR, NN50 and pNN50 in the middle and post training periods were significantly lower than that in the early training period (P<0.05).Mean HR in the beginning of training was significantly lower than that in post training (P<0.05).VLF and LF in the end of training were significantly lower than that in the beginning of training (P<0.05).【Conclusion】 Under the conditions of this test, the HRV indexes of 1 600 m test race of Yili horses in different conditioning training stages were analyzed.The outcomes demonstrated that the types of neural activity in Yili horses at the beginning, middle and end of training presented some differences, showing changes of increased sympathetic excitability and decreased parasympathetic excitability, and the horses' athletic performance improved.Therefore, HRV could be considered as an effective tool to evaluate the training load and intensity of Yili horses during training.     

Electrocardiographic indicators of excitability in horses for predicting recovery quality after general anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo determine whether preoperative electrocardiographic measurements linked to sympathetic nervous activity could be used to predict recovery quality after general anaesthesia in horses.Study designProspective, clinical study.AnimalsEighteen adult client-owned horses.MethodsThe electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded presurgery in horses under three standard conditions: stabled unattended; with a groom whilst being led along a standard course; alone in the induction box. After surgery, each animal's recovery quality was scored by eight experienced anaesthetists or technicians using Donaldson's scoring system (2000). The digitized ECG recordings were analyzed for T-wave morphology, mean heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and HRV derivatives including mean R-R interval, standard deviation of normal intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive intervals (RMSSD), low (LF) and high frequency (HF) activity and the LF/HF ratio in both fast Fourier transformed and autoregressive spectra. Correlations between ECG variables and recovery score were examined using Spearman's rank correlation.ResultsThere was no significant correlation between preanaesthetic ECG measurements and recovery quality.ConclusionsPredictions of recovery quality after general anaesthesia in horses cannot be based on preanaesthetic ECG variables.Clinical relevanceMeasures other than those based on the ECG should be investigated as predictors of recovery quality.     

Serum markers of lamellar basement membrane degradation and lamellar histopathological changes in horses affected with laminitis

In order better to evaluate the extent to which degradation of the lamellar basement membrane (LBM) by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) occurs in equine laminitis, we determined the concentration of type IV collagen and laminin in normal and laminitic horses, using specific immunoassays. Blood samples were obtained from both the jugular and the cephalic veins of horses (n = 10) before and after the induction of acute alimentary laminitis by carbohydrate overload. Jugular and cephalic venous blood samples were also obtained from horses affected with naturally occurring laminitis (n = 16) and nonlaminitic controls (n = 8). The serum collagen IV concentration was not changed following the induction of laminitis in the experimental group. Serum collagen IV concentration was increased in jugular venous blood obtained from cases of naturally occurring laminitis (mean +/- s.e. 218.04 +/- 18.59 ng/ml) compared with nonlaminitic controls (157.50 +/- 10.93 ng/ml) (P<0.05). Serum collagen IV concentration was also increased in jugular venous blood obtained from severely laminitic horses (219.50 +/- 18.18 ng/ml) compared with nonlaminitic controls (157.50 +/- 10.93 ng/ml) (P<0.05). A difference in serum concentration of collagen IV was not identified based on chronicity of naturally occurring laminitis. Serum laminin concentration did not differ between laminitic and nonlaminitic horses. Differences in serum laminin concentration were not identified based on sampling location (jugular or cephalic vein), severity of laminitic pain, or chronicity of spontaneous laminitis. In conclusion, the circulating concentration of collagen IV was increased in horses affected with naturally occurring laminitis. The potential role for serum collagen IV assay for characterisation of equine laminitis warrants further investigation.     

不同妊娠状态伊犁马心率变异性变化规律研究

【目的】研究流产伊犁马与正常分娩伊犁马在妊娠期心率变异性(HRV)的变化规律,以防止不良妊娠结局的发生。【方法】选取妊娠时间为29孕周的伊犁马21匹(其中流产5匹,正常分娩16匹)及7匹空怀伊犁马,分别在妊娠中期第30孕周,妊娠后期第45孕周及分娩前后1天对母马进行24 h HRV采集,包括时域指标:全部R-R间期的平均值(Mean RR)、全部R-R间距的标准差(SDNN)、平均心率(Mean HR)、相邻R-R间期差值的均方根(RMSSD)、相邻R-R间距差＞50 ms的个数(NN50)和相邻R-R-间距差＞50 ms的个数占总心跳次数的百分比(pNN50);频域指标:极低频率(VLF)、低频功率(LF)和高频功率(HF);非线性指标:全部R-R间距的标准差(Y)(SD1)、全部R-R间距的标准差(X)(SD2)。【结果】时域指标中,流产组和正常分娩组Mean RR、SDNN、RMSSD、NN50、pNN50极显著或显著低于空怀组(P＜0.01;P＜0.05),Mean HR极显著高于流产组和正常分娩组(P＜0.01);频域指标中,流产组和正常分娩组HF、LF极显著低于空怀组(P＜0.01),流产组和空怀组母马VLF极显著高于正常分娩组(P＜0.01)。非线性指标中,流产组和正常分娩组SD1和SD2极显著或显著低于空怀组(P＜0.01;P＜0.05),正常分娩组母马SD2/SD1极显著高于流产组和空怀组(P＜0.01)。【结论】伊犁马心率变异性在不同妊娠状态下均呈波动变化,Mean HR、Mean RR、SD2/SD1值在妊娠母马中出现上升,母马在妊娠过程中副交感神经占主导,自主神经系统受到抑制,流产母马VLF指标出现升高,在流产发生前后交感神经占主导,自主神经系统产生兴奋。     

The influence of spasmolytic agents on heart rate variability and gastrointestinal motility in normal horses

The effects of hyoscine-N-butylbromide (hyoscine) and propantheline-bromide (propantheline) on heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contractions in the normal horse were determined. Five adult horses had ECG recordings for 180 min after treatment with propantheline (100 mg), hyoscine (120 mg) or saline. Both propantheline and hyoscine reduced GIT sounds, with propantheline having a longer duration of effect (⩾120 min). Both drugs elevated HR relative to the control baseline period (P < 0.05), with the effects of propantheline again being of longer duration. HRV analysis indicated that propantheline suppressed Total Power (P < 0.05), and both the high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) components of the power spectral analysis for up to 60–90 min post treatment. Hyoscine had no effect on HRV Total Power but reduced the HF component for 30 min after drug injection. Time domain variables correlated with Total Power and HF data (P < 0.01). The marked effect of these compounds on parasympathetic control of cardiac and GIT function in normal horses should be taken into consideration when evaluating a clinical response to these agents.     

The evaluation of autonomic nervous system activation during learning in rhesus macaques with the analysis of the heart rate variability

The aims of this study were to measure the activity of the autonomic nervous system using heart rate variability (HRV) during learning tasks and to clarify the relationship between learning to overcome a difficult situation and the autonomic nervous system in monkeys. Two young male monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were given simple discrimination learning tasks (DL) and delayed matching to samples tasks (DMTS); Holter-type electrocardiography was done, and HRV was measured. We defined the frequency bands of HRV in rhesus macaques; the low frequency (LF) was 0.01-0.15 Hz, and the high frequency (HF) was 0.15-0.50 Hz. Based on these frequency bands, the LF/HF ratios during learning tasks were analyzed, and a significant increase in the ratio was found during the tasks. The variances in the HF differed between the DL and DMTS tasks; during DMTS tasks, HF variances had a tendency to increase. Our results indicate that increased sympathetic activity accompanied learning and suggest that the parasympathetic nervous system plays a key role during learning, particularly when difficult tasks are being learned.     

Effects of a supplement containing chromium and magnesium on morphometric measurements, resting glucose, insulin concentrations and insulin sensitivity in laminitic obese horses

Reasons for performing study: Obesity and insulin resistance are risk factors for laminitis in equids and supplements containing chromium and magnesium might improve insulin sensitivity. Hypothesis: A supplement containing chromium, magnesium and other nutraceuticals would alter morphometric measurements, blood variables, and insulin sensitivity in laminitic obese horses. Methods: Twelve previously laminitic obese (body condition score ≥ 7/9) horses were randomly allocated to treatment (n = 6) and control (n = 6) groups and 2 obese horses with clinical laminitis were included in the treatment group. Treated animals received 56 g supplement with 0.25 kg oats once daily for 16 weeks. The supplement contained chromium (5 mg/day as yeast), magnesium (8.8 g/day as oxide/proteinate), and other nutraceuticals. Insulin‐modified frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance tests were performed with hay provided at 0, 8 and 16 weeks, and insulin sensitivity was estimated by minimal model analysis. Physical measurements were collected at the same points. Horses were not exercised. Results: Hyperinsulinaemia (>30 µu/ml) was detected in 12 of 14 horses prior to treatment. Glucose and insulin data from one mare with clinical laminitis were excluded because of persistent pain. Mean ± s.d. insulin sensitivity was 0.64 ± 0.62 × 10^?4 l/min/mu prior to treatment for the remaining 13 horses. Time and treatment × time effects were not significant for any of the variables examined, with the exception of resting insulin concentrations, which significantly increased over time (P = 0.018). Health status remained the same. Conclusions: The supplement containing chromium and magnesium evaluated in this study did not alter morphometric measurements, blood variables, resting insulin concentrations or insulin sensitivity in laminitic obese horses. Potential relevance: Additional research is required to determine the appropriate use of chromium and magnesium supplements in horses.     

Effects of repeated atropine injection on heart rate variability in Thoroughbred horses.

To investigate the effects of repeated atropine injection on heart rate (HR) variability in resting Thoroughbred horses, two microg/ kg of atropine as parasympathetic nervous blockade was injected intravenously every 6 min to a total of 8 microg/kg after intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg of propranolol as sympathetic nervous blockade. We recorded electrocardiograms and obtained the HR, then evaluated variation in HR from the power spectrum in terms of low frequency (LF, 0.01-0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF, 0.07-0.6 Hz) power. Administration of atropine decreased parasympathetic nervous activity in a dose-dependent manner, affecting first the LF power, then the HF power and finally HR. These responses may provide valuable information for evaluating autonomic nervous activity in Thoroughbred horses.     

Expression of endothelin in equine laminitis.

Biosynthesis of endothelin-1 (ET-1), the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor yet identified, is increased following myocardial infarction (MI) in man. Pathological events which occur in the connective tissues of the equine hoof during laminitis are similar in some respects, to changes occurring in the myocardial connective tissues following MI in man. The objective of this study was to determine whether ET-1 expression in connective tissues obtained from the hoof of laminitic horses is increased compared with tissues obtained from healthy horses. Expression of ET-1 in connective tissues of the equine hoof was measured following tissue extraction from 3 groups of horses: horses in which acute laminitis had been induced by the administration of starch; chronically foundered horses; nonlaminitic horses. The concentration of ET-1 in laminar connective tissues obtained from all laminitic horses (1573.0 +/- 392.8 pg/g of tissue; n = 10) was increased when compared with tissues obtained from nonlaminitic horses (392.5 +/- 117.4 pg/g of tissue; n = 5) (P<0.05). The concentration of ET-1 in laminar connective tissues obtained from the experimentally induced, acute laminitic horses (1043.6 +/- 254.4 pg/g of tissue; n = 7) and from the spontaneously affected, chronic laminitic horses (2808.3 +/- 878.6 pg/g of tissue; n = 3) was increased compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The concentration of ET-1 in laminar connective tissues obtained from the chronic laminitic horses was greater than that of the experimentally induced, acute laminitic group (P<0.05). It is suggested that the data provide a strong argument that increased ET-1 expression in the connective tissues of the equine hoof represent a potentially important and hitherto unrecognised component of the pathophysiology of equine laminitis. Further studies are needed to determine whether inhibitors of ET-1 converting enzyme or antagonists of ET-1 receptors might be useful in the treatment and prevention of laminitis in horses.     

Intratesticular and subcutaneous lidocaine alters the intraoperative haemodynamic responses and heart rate variability in male cats undergoing castration

ObjectiveTo evaluate the usefulness of intratesticular and subcutaneous lidocaine in alleviating the intraoperative nociceptive response to castration, measured by pulse rate (PR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and to test the applicability of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in assessing this response.Study designRandomized, controlled, observer-blinded experimental trial.AnimalsThirty-nine healthy male cats admitted for castration.MethodsOne group received general anaesthesia and served as control group (GA), while the treatment group (LA) additionally received local anaesthesia (lidocaine 2 mg kg^?1) intratesticularly and subcutaneously. PR and MAP were recorded at anaesthesia baseline (T0), treatment (T1), incision left testicle (T2), traction on spermatic cord (T3), tightening of the autoligature and resection of the cord (T4), incision on the right side (T5), traction on spermatic cord (T6), and tightening of the autoligature and resection of cord (T7). HRV analysis was divided into three 5-minute intervals: baseline (H0), treatment (H1), and surgery (H2).ResultsThere were significant increases in PR and MAP for both groups during surgery from T3 onwards; however, the increase in the treatment group (LA) was significantly lower than for the control group (GA). For HRV analysis, significant differences were found between groups in the following parameters during surgery: TP (total power), VLF (very low frequency), SDNN (standard deviation of NN intervals [=the interval between two consecutive R-waves in the ECG]), and TI (triangular index), which were lower in the LA group. Mean NN was significantly lower in the GA group, whereas LF (low frequency) and LFn (low frequency, normalized value) were lower in the LA group. HF (high frequency) and HFn (high frequency, normalized value) decreased significantly from H1 to H2 in both groups.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe study showed that the nociceptive response to surgery was alleviated by the use of intratesticular and subcutaneous lidocaine and that HRV analysis is a promising research tool to estimate intraoperative nociception in cats during general anaesthesia.     

Resting energy expenditure and body composition of Labrador Retrievers fed high fat and low fat diets

A high dietary fat intake may be an important environmental factor leading to obesity in some animals. The mechanism could be either an increase in caloric intake and/or a decrease in energy expenditure. To test the hypothesis that high fat diets result in decreased resting energy expenditure (REE), we measured REE using indirect calorimetry in 10-adult intact male Labrador Retrievers, eating weight-maintenance high-fat (HF, 41% energy, average daily intake: 8018 +/- 1247 kJ/day, mean +/- SD) and low-fat (LF, 14% energy, average daily intake: 7331 +/- 771 kJ/day) diets for a 30-day period. At the end of each dietary treatment, body composition measurements were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mean +/- SD REE was not different between diets (4940 +/- 361 vs. 4861 +/- 413 kJ/day on HF and LF diets respectively). Measurements of fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) also did not differ between diets (FFM: 26.8 +/- 2.3 kg vs. 26.3 +/- 2.5 kg; FM: 3.0 +/- 2.3 vs. 3.1 +/- 1.5 kg on HF and LF diets respectively). In summary, using a whole body calorimeter, we found no evidence of a decrease in REE or a change in body composition on a HF diet compared with LF diet.     

Effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous function in young Thoroughbreds

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of initial handling and training on autonomic nervous functions in young Thoroughbreds. ANIMALS: 63 healthy Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: All horses were trained to be handled and initially ridden in September of the yearling year and then trained until the following April by conventional training regimens. To obtain the heart rate (HR), electrocardiograms were recorded in the stable before initial handling and training and following 7 months of training; variations in HR were then evaluated from the power spectrum in terms of the low frequency (LF; 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF; 0.07 to 0.6 Hz) power as indices of autonomic nervous activity. To evaluate the fitness, the V200 (velocity at HR of 200 beat/min), which is reflective of the aerobic capacity of the horse, was measured. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SE) resting HR decreased significantly from 41.5 +/- 0.8 to 38.7 +/- 0.4 beat/min following 7 months of training. The LF power of horses increased significantly from 1,037 +/- 128 milliseconds2 in September of the yearling year to 2,944 +/- 223 milliseconds2 in the following April. Similarly, the HF power increased significantly from 326 +/- 30 milliseconds2 to 576 +/- 39 milliseconds2 at the corresponding time points. The V200 increased significantly following training. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in LF and HF powers indicate that parasympathetic nervous activity increases in horses by 7 months of training. The decrease in resting HR may be dependent on the training-induced increase of parasympathetic nervous activity in Thoroughbreds.     

Cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses participating in equestrian competitions

Equestrian competitions require both physical activity and mental adaptation in horses. Cortisol, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) are accepted stress parameters and, in this study, have been determined in horses (n = 13) participating in equestrian competitions for up to 3 consecutive days. Participation in competitions caused an increase in salivary cortisol concentrations (e.g., on day 1 from 1.0 ± 0.2 before to 2.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL after the competition, days 1 and 2: P < 0.001, day 3: P < 0.05) and an increase in heart rate (days 1 and 2: P < 0.001, day 3: P = 0.01). A consistent decrease in HRV occurred only in response to the final competition on day 3 (P < 0.01). When horses competing in dressage and show jumping were compared, cortisol release and HRV did not differ between groups, but after the competition, heart rate was lower in dressage than in show jumping horses (P < 0.05). Heart rate increased not only during the actual competition but already when horses were prepared in their stables (e.g., day 1: ?60 minutes, 38.6 ± 2; ?5 minutes, 77 ± 7; competition, 81 ± 10 beats per minute; P < 0.01). In conclusion, participation in equestrian competitions caused an increase in cortisol release and heart rate and a decrease in HRV variables. However, competitions were not a major stressor compared with other anthropogenic challenges such as transport, to which horses are exposed regularly.     

Cortisol release,heart rate and heart rate variability,and superficial body temperature,in horses lunged either with hyperflexion of the neck or with an extended head and neck position

Bringing the head and neck of ridden horses into a position of hyperflexion is widely used in equestrian sports. In our study, the hypothesis was tested that hyperflexion is an acute stressor for horses. Salivary cortisol concentrations, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and superficial body temperature were determined in horses (n = 16) lunged on two subsequent days. The head and neck of the horse was fixed with side reins in a position allowing forward extension on day A and fixed in hyperflexion on day B. The order of treatments alternated between horses. In response to lunging, cortisol concentration increased (day A from 0.73 ± 0.06 to 1.41 ± 0.13 ng/ml, p < 0.001; day B from 0.68 ± 0.07 to 1.38 ± 0.13 ng/ml, p < 0.001) but did not differ between days A and B. Beat‐to‐beat (RR) interval decreased in response to lunging on both days. HRV variables standard deviation of RR interval (SDRR) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR differences) decreased (p < 0.001) but did not differ between days. In the cranial region of the neck, the difference between maximum and minimum temperature was increased in hyperflexion (p < 0.01). In conclusion, physiological parameters do not indicate an acute stress response to hyperflexion of the head alone in horses lunged at moderate speed and not touched with the whip. However, if hyperflexion is combined with active intervention of a rider, a stressful experience for the horse cannot be excluded.     

Physiological effects of interactions between female dog owners with neuroticism and their dogs

The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of the relationship between dog owners with neuroticism and their dogs using noninvasive procedures to measure urinary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV). Owner personalities were tested via the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and this study focused only on the dimension of neuroticism with 12-item scales. The 24 participating owners and their dogs were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Each participant and their dog stayed in the test room for 80 minutes. The behavioral test included 2 resting times (R1 and R2, respectively), 2 command-communication times, a separation time, and a free time. In the control group, the command-communication times were changed to noncommunication times. Each participant wore a chest heart rate transmitter and a wrist watch monitor (RS800CX; Polar Electro) during the experiment. HRV is a quantitative parameter of autonomic activity. The spectral analysis of HRV is divided into 2 major oscillatory components: the high-frequency (HF) domain, which reflects parasympathetic activity and the low-frequency (LF) domain, which reflects both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. The LF to HF ratio reflects sympathetic activity. In the experimental group, the neuroticism scores showed a positive significant correlation with a change in the HF power and a negative correlation with the ratio of the change in the LF to HF ratio. No correlations were found in the control group. Next, all participants were divided into 2 groups according to the HRV in R1 and R2. One group included participants whose HF increased in R2, and the other included participants whose HF decreased in R2. The neuroticism scores were significantly higher in the experimental subjects whose HF increased in R2 than in those whose HF decreased in R2. High neuroticism scores indicate individuals that may be sensitive to daily stresses. Our results showed that a parasympathetic activation occurred in owners with high neuroticism scores 10 minutes after a command-communication interaction with their dogs. This suggests that daily command communication–based interactions with their dogs could improve the owner's health for the better.     

Cortisol release,heart rate,and heart rate variability in transport-naive horses during repeated road transport

Domestic animals are often repeatedly exposed to the same anthropogenic stressors. Based on cortisol secretion and heart rate, it has been demonstrated that transport is stressful for horses, but so far, changes in this stress response with repeated road transport have not been reported. We determined salivary cortisol concentrations, fecal cortisol metabolites, cardiac beat-to-beat (RR) interval, and heart rate variability (HRV) in transport-naive horses (N = 8) transported 4 times over a standardized course of 200 km. Immunoreactive salivary cortisol concentrations always increased in response to transport (P < 0.001), but cortisol release decreased stepwise with each transport (P < 0.05). Concentrations of fecal cortisol metabolites increased from 55.1 ± 4.6 ng/g before the first transport to 161 ± 17 ng/g the morning after (P < 0.001). Subsequent transport did not cause further increases in fecal cortisol metabolites. In response to the first transport, mean RR interval decreased with loading of the horses and further with the onset of transport (1551 ± 23, 1304 ± 166, and 1101 ± 123 msec 1 d before, immediately preceeding, and after 60–90 min of transport, respectively; P < 0.05). Decreases in RR interval during subsequent transports became less pronounced (P < 0.001). Transport was associated with a short rise in the HRV variable standard deviation 2 (P < 0.001 except transport 1), indicating sympathetic activation. No consistent changes were found for other HRV variables. In conclusion, a transport-induced stress response in horses decreased with repeated transport, indicating that animals habituated to the situation, but an increased cortisol secretion remained detectable.