Effects of exercise stress on various immune functions in horses.
Chemotactic locomotion and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils, mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, serum cortisol concentration, immunoglobulin quantification, and leukocyte counts were determined to evaluate the effect of a single strenuous exercise in horses. Increased serum cortisol concentration (P less than 0.01) and an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P less than 0.05) indicated that horses had been stressed. The chemotactic index and peak chemiluminescence production decreased significantly (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01, respectively) 1 day after exercise. Mitogen-induced blastogenesis of lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulin values remained unchanged in response to exercise. Results of this study indicated that a single bout of exercise may transiently impair neutrophil antimicrobial functions and nonspecific defense mechanisms, but not specific immunity in horses.
Wong
C W
CW
Department of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Queensland, Australia.
Smith
S E
SE
Thong
Y H
YH
Opdebeeck
J P
JP
Thornton
J R
JR
D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes; D009504:Neutrophils; D005082:Physical Exertion; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D006854:Hydrocortisone