Effect of gender and exercise on haematological and biochemical parameters in Holsteiner horses

Immunology of Physical Exercise: Is Equus caballus an Appropriate Animal Model for Human Athletes?

Domestic horses routinely participate in vigorous and various athletic activities. This enables the horse to serve as a model for studying athletic physiology and immunology in other species, including humans. For instance, as a model of physical efforts, such as endurance rides (long-distance running/aerobic exercise) and races (anaerobic exercise), the horse can be useful in evaluating post-exercise response. Currently, there has been significant interest in finding biomarkers, which characterize the advancement of training and adaptation to physical exercise in the horse. The parallels in cellular responses to physical exercises, such as changes in receptor expression and blood cell activity, improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the body's response to intense physical activity. This study focuses on the changes in levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and cellular response in the context of post-exercise immune response. Both the direction of changes in cytokine levels and cellular responses of the body, such as proliferation and expression of surface markers on lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils, show cross-functional similarities. This review reveals that horses are robust research models for studying the immune response to physical exercise in human athletes.

The effect of training load stress on salivary cortisol concentrations, health parameters and hematological parameters in horses

The performance of sport horses is conditioned not only by the quality of its gene pool, but also by a large number of external factors. The most dominant being nutrition, quality of breeding, level of zootechnical care and the quality of the sports rider and coach. Important factor is the process of individuals' adaptation to the training load occurring during the training itself. This study was focused on the analysis of salivary cortisol levels as well as hematological and biochemical blood parameters in relation to load to which the tested horses were subjected. In the study 14 horses of sport breeds were analyzed a all tested horses were in the same (medium) level of training load. Tested horses underwent following stages of workload - transportation, jumping training, parkour competition, treadmill training, riding training, shoeing and lunging of various intensity. Saliva samples were obtained using a tampon on a string which was inserted into horse's oral cavity, chewed by the horse and placed in a sterile tube with a closable lid. Afterwards, the samples were then stored in deep-freezing boxes at temperature of -80 °C. The EIA cortisol kit was used in this study. The absorbance was read at the wavelength of 450 nm against a reference wavelength of 620-630 nm or a blank sample. Blood samples were obtained at the beginning of the experiment, after half a year of running the experiment and at the end of the experiment from v. jugularis. Hematological analysis were carried out using automatic hematologic analyser and multiple parameters were observed. Analysis of biochemical parameters in blood serum were realized using commercial DiaSys kits and semiautomatic biochemical spectrophotometer. Sodium, potassium and chlorides were measured using automatic analyzer EasyLytePlus. In all monitored forms of exercise (transportation, jumping training, parkour competition, treadmill training, riding training, horse shoeing, lunging), an increase in cortisol concentrations immediately after the exercise was recorded, but only spotted statistically significant differences were found during the transportation of monitored horses. The levels of blood parameters were within the reference range during the experiment period. From a comprehensive evaluation of the results, it can be stated that there were no visible health changes to the horses that underwent the experimental load and that manipulation with horses is an important factor that has effect on horses' stress response. In general, the results of this study show no visible impact of training and/or load on the health status of horses over entire 12-month duration of the experiment.

A literature review of the studies concerning selected plant-derived adaptogens and their general function in body with a focus on animal studies

BACKGROUND

Adaptogens are generally referred to the substances, mostly found in plants, which non-specifically increase resilience and chances of survival by activation of signaling pathways in affected cells.

PURPOSE

This literature review was conducted to summarize the investigation, until March 2021, on selected adaptogenic plants and plant-derived substances.

STUDY DESIGN

Electronic databases were searched (up to March 2021) for in vitro and animal studies, as well as clinical trials. Moreover, all modes of action connected with the adaptogenic effects of plants and phytochemicals were collected.

METHODS

The search of relevant studies was performed within electronic databases including Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Cochrane library. The most important keywords were adaptogen, plant, phytochemical, and plant-derived.

RESULTS

The most investigated medicinal herbs for their adaptogenic activity are Eleutherococcus senticosus, Panax ginseng, Withania somnifera, Schisandra chinensis, and Rhodiola spp., salidroside, ginsenosides, andrographolide, methyl jasmonate, cucurbitacin R, dichotosin, and dichotosininare are phytochemicals that have shown a considerable adaptogenic activity. Phytochemicals that have been demonstrated adaptogenic properties mainly belong to flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoid glycosides.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the main modes of action of the selected adaptogenic plants are stress modulatory, antioxidant, anti-fatigue, and physical endurance enhancement. Other properties were nootropic, immunomodulatory, cardiovascular, and radioprotective activities.

Effect of First Long-Term Training on Whole Blood Count and Blood Clotting Parameters in Thoroughbreds

Training has a strong effect on the physiology of hematological parameters and blood coagulation, both in humans and in horses. Several blood changes have been reported after exercise in horses but available data differ. We aimed to investigate modifications in complete blood count and some hemostatic parameters induced by the first training period in young untrained Thoroughbred racehorses to detect a possible labile blood coagulability in racehorses. Twenty-nine untrained 2-year-old Thoroughbreds were followed during their incremental 4-month sprint exercise schedule. Blood collection was performed once a month, five times (T-30, T0, T30, T60 and T90), before and during the training period for measurement of complete blood count (CBC) and blood clotting parameters (prothrombin time-PT, activated partial prothrombin time-APTT, thrombin clotting time-TCT, fibrinogen-Fb, thrombin-antithrombin complex-TAT). Differences among the time points for each parameter were analyzed (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance, p < 0.05). In Thoroughbreds, the first long-term exercise workout period was found to induce a statistical increase in red blood cell indexes and lymphocytes, eosinophils and platelet counts, as well as a hypercoagulability state evident at 30 days of training, which returned to basal levels after 90 days. Regular physical exercise seems to blunt the negative effects of acute efforts on hematological and clotting parameters, an effect that may be attributed to the training condition.

Adaptogenic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Ashwagandha Root Extract: An Experimental Study in an Equine Model

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal.) is an important “Rasayana” of Ayurveda. The roots are extensively used as an adaptogen and for different health issues. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating effects of Ashwagandha are well-documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ashwagandha root extract as an adaptogen against various types of stress in horses. A total of 24 Kathiawari horses were selected and randomly divided into four groups. All the horses were provided with normal feed and water ad libitum. Group 1 (G1) was treated as the control group, and the horses were given a normal diet. Group 2 (G2), Group 3 (G3), and Group 4 (G4) horses received varying doses of Ashwagandha root extract along with the normal diet. All the animals were subjected to different types of stress including exercise-induced stress, separation, and noise stress on three different days and evaluated for various hematological, biochemical, hormonal, and immunological parameters. Over the 21 days, a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, hemoglobin content, lymphocyte percentage, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activities was observed. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in cortisol, epinephrine, glucose, triglycerides, creatinine, IL-6, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase was observed in the Ashwagandha treated groups (G2, G3, and G4) when compared to the control group (G1). The results suggest that Ashwagandha root extract has potent hemopoietic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, and immune-stimulant properties.

Bee Pollen Supplementation to Aged Horses Influences Several Blood Parameters

In humans and animals, aging leads to a decrease in immune function and an increased susceptibility to infection. Decreased immunity and an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases are particularly notable during the autumn. Bee pollen supplementation improves immunity and antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as general performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bee pollen supplementation during the autumn on blood parameters in aged horses. The study was performed on 16 warmblood horses aged 15-26 years. Half of this group received 60 g of bee pollen (soaked in water) daily for 30 days during the autumn season. Blood samples were taken from all horses before and after the supplementation period. Numerous hematological and plasma biochemical parameters including indicators of oxidative stress were determined. The data collected after the supplementation were compared with data collected before the experiment using one-way analysis of variance and paired Student's t-test. In the control group, there was a decline in the total number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit and an increase in some lipid parameters, urea, total plasma proteins, and sulfhydryl groups. Supplementation with bee pollen prevented the variation of these parameters, except for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We believe that bee pollen supplementation for aged horses during autumn has beneficial effects because it inhibited some of the adverse changes observed in the control horses during this season.

Impact of exercise on productivity, behavior, and immune functioning of weaned Bos indicus-cross calves housed in drylots

The effects of 2 exercise regimes on cattle productivity, immune function, and behavior were evaluated against a control ( = 4 pens/treatment) using weaned -cross calves ( = 203) housed in drylots (16-18 calves/single sex pens). Three treatments were applied 3 times per week for 4 wk: 1) programmatic exercise (PRO), in which cattle and a stockperson walked in the alleyway behind their home pen for 20 min; 2) free exercise (FREE), in which cattle were moved into the drovers alley for 60 min, not exercised by a stockperson, and were allowed free access to their home pen and alleyway; and 3) control (CON), in which calves were removed from their home pen only for routine husbandry. Behavior observations were conducted on d -2 and -1 relative to treatment implementation (d 0) and on d 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27. Instantaneous scan sampling was used to create behavioral profiles for cattle (posture: stand, lie, and walk; and behavior: feed, drink, and ruminate). Focal observations recorded the incidence of social behaviors (allogrooming, social play, and agonistic interactions) and animal-environment interactions (AEI; fencepost licking, rock eating, tongue rolling, and cross-suckling). Body weights, exit velocities, and antibody titers to a bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1b vaccine were measured on d -10, 10, and 28. A linear mixed model (PROC MIXED) was used to evaluate the impact of exercise treatment, sex, time, and their interactions on cattle behavior, health, and productivity. Statistical differences were not observed ( = 0.11) for overall ADG among cattle receiving FREE (1.00 kg ± 0.04) PRO (0.85 kg ± 0.04), or CON (0.86 kg ± 0.05) exercise treatments. Allogrooming ( = 0.05), lying ( < 0. 01), AEI ( < 0.01), rumination ( < 0.01), and agonistic interactions ( < 0.01) increased over time. Comfort-related behaviors (e.g., lying, rumination) increased over the evaluation period, suggesting that calves became acclimated to the environment. Exercise did not alter behaviors or vaccine response and did not reduce the performance of production-critical (e.g., feeding, resting, ruminating) behaviors.