Serum chemistry alterations in Alaskan sled dogs during five successive days of prolonged endurance exercise.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of successive days of endurance exercise on select serum chemistry values in conditioned Alaskan sled dogs.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
10 conditioned Alaskan sled dogs.


METHODS
All dogs ran 160 km/d for 5 consecutive days. Serum was obtained prior to exercise and immediately after each exercise run; all samples were obtained before dogs were fed. Serum electrolyte, mineral, protein, total bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and cardiac troponin-I concentrations and serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities were measured. Data were analyzed by means of analysis of covariance for a randomized complete block design with dog as a blocking variable, time as a covariate, and distance run as the treatment of interest. Least square mean values were compared with values obtained prior to exercise, and linear and quadratic contrasts were examined.


RESULTS
Serum globulin concentration was low prior to exercise (mean +/- SD, 2.2 +/- 0.3g/dL) and progressively decreased as exercise continued. Exercise was associated with increases in serum chloride, urea nitrogen, and cardiac troponin-I concentrations and serum alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities and with progressive decreases in serum potassium, total protein, and albumin concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that multiple successive days of endurance exercise resulted in mild aberrations in serum chemistry variables in conditioned sled dogs. Changes likely reflected the metabolic stresses of prolonged endurance exercise as well as dietary composition. Hypoglobulinemia in resting, conditioned sled dogs may reflect the immunosuppressive or catabolic effects of intense endurance training.
McKenzie
Erica C
EC
Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Jose-Cunilleras
Eduard
E
Hinchcliff
Kenneth W
KW
Holbrook
Todd C
TC
Royer
Christopher
C
Payton
Mark E
ME
Williamson
Kathy
K
Nelson
Stuart
S
Willard
Michael D
MD
Davis
Michael S
MS
D000413:Alaska; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D013177:Sports
D001798:Blood Proteins; D004573:Electrolytes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012712:Serum Globulins; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001663:Bilirubin