RESUMEN
Low-grade inflammation precedes the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders in humans, but whether the same is true in the horse is not known. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of weight gain and diet on the inflammatory state of horses as determined by serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF), an inflammatory cytokine. Fifteen mature Thoroughbred geldings with an initial body weight (BW) of 519±12 kg and body condition score (BCS) of 4.3±0.1 were fed a diet of hay plus a concentrate that was either high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) (i.e. starch and sugar), similar to those commercially available (CON) or one that had the energy source replaced with fat and fibre (FAT) for 32 weeks. Weight gain was achieved by feeding an additional 20 Mcal/day in excess of digestible energy maintenance requirements and resulted in a final BW of 608±12 kg and BCS of 6.9±0.1. Horses were exercised twice daily at a walk during the weight gain period. Horses were assessed bi-weekly for BW and BCS. Serum TNF was analysed from blood samples collected at 4-week intervals. Although treatment groups began the study with similar mean serum TNF concentrations, 12 weeks of FAT feeding promoted a decrease in circulating TNF that was maintained throughout the study with the exception of weeks 20 and 32. For either diet, there were no linear correlations between serum TNF concentration and BCS when horses increased in BCS from four to seven. The higher level of TNF observed in horses fed the CON diet indicates an increase in some level of systemic inflammation that was independent of their weight gain from a moderately thin to fleshy condition. The influence of diet on serum TNF concentrations should be investigated in horses fed to maintain body condition.
Asunto(s)
Dieta/veterinaria , Caballos/sangre , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/sangre , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Aumento de Peso/fisiología , Alimentación Animal/análisis , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Animales , MasculinoRESUMEN
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Dietary intake and feeding management practices could affect the degree of physiological stress and subsequent performance of high level 3-day event horses. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether a relationship exists between dietary intake levels of selected nutrients and the inflammatory and antioxidant status in horses competing in a high level 3-day event. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Riders competing in a CCI2*/CCI3* 3-day event (n = 35) answered a nutritional management survey conducted by the investigators at the competition. Actual and recommended intakes of vitamin E, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) were calculated using the manufacturer or NRC values. Blood samples, bodyweight and body condition score of horses were taken precompetition, 30 min and 18-24 h after cross-country, but before stadium jumping. Data were analysed using a mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures and Pearson's product moment correlation. RESULTS: Estimated daily intakes of vitamin E, K, Ca, P and Mg for horses were higher than daily recommended levels (P < 0.05). In response to competition, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα; P = 0.0002), nitric oxide (NO; P = 0.013) and ß-carotene (BC; P < 0.0001) decreased, creatine kinase (P < 0.0001) and aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.001) increased, and α-tocopherol and retinol did not change. Intake of vitamin E, K, Ca, P and bodyweight were negatively correlated with TNFα (P < 0.05). Vitamin E and bodyweight were also negatively correlated with NO (P < 0.05). Pasture intake and BC were positively correlated (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The decline in systemic inflammatory markers is probably due to increased utilisation or excretion and decreased production related to the increased oxidative stress experienced by horses during competition. High bodyweights could also predispose horses to a higher level of inflammation during 3-day event competition.
Asunto(s)
Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Ingestión de Alimentos/fisiología , Caballos/fisiología , Inflamación/sangre , Condicionamiento Físico Animal , Animales , Biomarcadores , Femenino , Masculino , DeportesRESUMEN
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The main goal of feeding elite 3-day event horses is to deliver nutrients in optimal amounts to allow the horse to maximize its health and performance. However, improper nutritional management and/or physiological stressors related to intense training and competition may increase the risk of nutrition-associated disorders in these horses. An understanding of the nutrition-associated problems contributing to poor performance is critical to the health and welfare of the horse. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the nutrition-associated problems affecting top level 3-day event horses during 2008. METHODS: Contact information for riders competing in the 2 highest levels of 3-day eventing in 2008 was obtained from the United States Eventing Association. A survey containing 10 questions pertaining to participant demographics and nutrition-associated problems experienced by their horses was mailed and e-mailed to the 81 individuals fitting our criteria of living in USA and Canada. Data was collected in April and May 2009. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 81 riders completed the survey (35.8%). Respondents rode a total of 45 horses in top level 3-day events in 2008. The top 5 nutrition-associated problems that horses faced at a significantly higher level than the other problems (P < 0.0001) were gastric ulcers (42.2%), joint problems (37.7%), decreased appetite (31.1%), weight loss (31.1%) and hyperexcitability (22.2%). There was no significant difference in frequency of problems between home and competition (P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: Horses competing at a high level of 3-day eventing in 2008 were at risk of reduced performance given the significant rate of gastric ulcers, decreased appetite and weight loss. Research addressing specific causes of and/or feeding management changes that would reduce the incidence of these problems in these horses is needed to ensure optimal health and performance.
Asunto(s)
Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales/fisiología , Dieta/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Caballos/etiología , Condicionamiento Físico Animal/fisiología , Alimentación Animal/análisis , Animales , Recolección de Datos , Caballos , Deportes , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient composition, voluntary DMI, and apparent DM digestibility of teff hay cut at 3 different stages of maturity to evaluate its potential as a preserved forage for horses. Six mature Quarter Horse mares (12 +/- 3 yr; 553 +/- 39 kg of BW) were used in a replicated balanced Latin square design with 3 periods and 3 maturities of teff hay. Eragrostis tef ('Tiffany' teff) was planted in May and harvested at the boot, early-heading, or late-heading stage of maturity through the summer. Horses were acclimated to a mixture of maturities of teff hay for 8 d before the beginning of the study. After this acclimation period, each period consisted of a 9-d voluntary DMI phase, followed by a 3-d DM digestibility phase. The percentages of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) increased from 5.4% in the boot stage to 8.4% in the late-heading stage, whereas concentrations of CP, K, Fe, and Mn decreased. The Ca:P ratio was 2.0 ± 0.3 for all maturities. Horses had less DMI of late-heading teff hay (1.5% BW) than teff hay of other maturities (1.8% BW; P < 0.05), indicating a preference for the earlier maturities. The intake and nutrient composition of the boot and early-heading maturities was sufficient to meet 90 to 97% of the average DE of the horses and most other nutrient requirements. Digestibility decreased from boot to late-heading teff hay for DM, CP, ADF, and NDF (P < 0.05). Digestibility increased from boot to early-heading to late-heading hay for nonfiber carbohydrates and water-soluble carbohydrates (P < 0.05). For all maturities of teff hay, the NSC intake was below 10% of the total intake. In conclusion, the low NSC and DE of teff hay grown in central Pennsylvania under the conditions in this study make it an appropriate forage source for obese horses and those at risk for laminitis or other metabolic disorders.
Asunto(s)
Alimentación Animal , Digestión/fisiología , Eragrostis , Caballos/fisiología , Animales , Dieta/veterinaria , Ingestión de Alimentos/fisiología , Eragrostis/química , Femenino , Valor NutritivoRESUMEN
A study was conducted to determine whether direct-fed microbials (DFM) could be used to increase digestibility and minimize the risk of acidosis associated with feeding an increase in the amount of starch fed to horses. Fifteen mature Thoroughbred geldings were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments in a 3 x 3 Latin square design balanced for carryover effects. Within each 26-d period, horses were offered grass hay + low-starch concentrate (LS; 1.2 g of starch x kg of BW(-1) x meal(-1)) from d 1 to 13 and then were abruptly changed to hay + high-starch concentrate (HS; 2.4 g of starch.kg of BW(-1)x meal(-1)) on d 14 continuing through d 26. The DFM treatments were offered in concentrate pellets at a target dosage of 10(8) cfu/(50 kg of BW x d) as follows: no DFM (CON; control), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAC1; single-species DFM), or a mixture of L. acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Enterococcus faecium (LAC4; multiple-species DFM). Total feces were collected over 72 h from d 11 to 13 (LS; low dietary starch collection), from d 15 to 17 (AC; abrupt change in dietary starch collection), and at the end of each experimental period, from d 24 to 26 (HS; high dietary starch collection). Data collected consisted of total DM intake and fecal output, fecal pH, fecal acetate and propionate concentrations, and viable numbers of DFM in the feed. With the exception of Fe digestibility, there were no starch x DFM interactions. There was an effect of starch level (P