Haematological and biochemical changes in horses competing in a 3 Star horse trial and 3-day-event.
Haematological and biochemical changes in horses competing in the Endurance Test (Phase T and D) of an advanced Horse Trial (HT, n = 22) and the Endurance Test (Phases A-D) of an advanced (CCI) 3-day-event (TD, n = 11) over a similar course on the same day were studied. Environmental conditions during the event were cool (5.5-11.1 degrees C). Blood samples were collected from the horses in each group the evening prior to the Endurance Test, within 60 s after, and 10 min after, completion of Phase D (cross-country jumping). The following were determined in the blood samples and compared between the 2 groups of horses: packed cell volume (PCV), serum total protein [TP], serum albumin [ALB], plasma lactate [lactate], serum total calcium [TCa], plasma ionised calcium [Ca+2], serum inorganic phosphate [PO4], plasma pH, plasma sodium [Na], plasma potassium [K], serum chloride [Cl], serum urea nitrogen [SUN], serum creatinine [Cr] and serum glucose concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) activities. The PCV and [Cr] were higher in the TD group and approached significance (P = 0.063 and P = 0.057, respectively). The [TP], [ALB], [Na], glucose concentration and CK, and AST were significantly higher and [Cl] and [PO4] were significantly lower in the TD group after exercise when compared to the HT group. It was deduced from these data that the horses competing in the 3-day-event experienced greater fluid and electrolyte losses, reduced glomerular filtration, higher glycogenolysis and had greater leakage of enzymes from working muscles during competition than horses competing in the horse trial.
Andrews
F M
FM
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
Geiser
D R
DR
White
S L
SL
Williamson
L H
LH
Maykuth
P L
PL
Green
E M
EM
D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance; D014887:Weather
D001786:Blood Glucose; D001798:Blood Proteins; D004573:Electrolytes; D010710:Phosphates; D012709:Serum Albumin; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003404:Creatinine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D002118:Calcium