title: Iron profile in Thoroughbreds during a standard training program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifications of some haematological parameters and iron profile during an 80-day training program and their relationship with athletic performance of performance horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the training period, 20 Thoroughbreds were subjected to a standardised exercise test, previously standardised for gallopers to evaluate athletic performance. The test was performed immediately before the beginning of the training program (T0) and after 30 days (T30), 60 days (T60) and 90 days (T90). For each horse, their velocities at blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol/L (V2 and V4) and a heart rate of 200 beats/min (V200) were calculated to assess the effect of the training program on athletic performance. Blood samples were collected at 20-day intervals over a period of 80 days from the beginning of the training program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant effect of days of training (time) on iron, ferritin, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (P < 0.001 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed the influence of the intensity and duration of exercise on iron metabolism. These findings may be useful for evaluating the athletic status of horses during training and to assess the degree of training adaptability, providing an opportunity to modify the training schedule to achieve the desired performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assenza
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. stefania.casella@unime.it.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tosto
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piccione
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood*; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron
keywords: haematological parameters; iron profile; performance horses; training program