Several concerns have been raised over the health of animals 22 used in equestrian 23 games which have their origins in historical or religious events, and are currently held in many 24 countries. This study investigated physiological stress response and health status of horses 25 participating in the Sartiglia, a historical horse tournament held in the city of Oristano, Italy, which 26 is principally based on the attempts of masked horsemen at a gallop to run through a suspended 27 holed silver star with a sword. Blood samples were collected from 21 horses the day before the 28 tournament (D0), during the tournament (D1) and the day after (D2). Samples were analyzed for 29 complete blood count, biochemical, hormonal and oxidative stress assays. Data were analyzed using 30 the mixed effect model with sampling session as one of the fixed effect. On the whole, blood 31 parameters evidenced an optimal health status of horses at D0. Significant dehydratation, increase 32 of circulating glucose, enzymes, cortisol and β-endorphin were registered at D1 (P < 0.001) with a 33 complete recovering of physiological values just at D2. The d-ROMs (Reactive Oxygen 34 Metabolites), from which the pro-oxidant activity can be evaluated, showed an increase from D0 to 35 D1 and D2. Concentration of BAP (Biological Antioxidant Potential), which measured the 36 antioxidant capacity, was characterized by the maximum level registered during the tournament and 37 counteracted the simultaneous increase of d-ROMs. It can be hypothesized that the tournament 38 played an important role in causing high levels of oxidant markers, not only because of the physical 39 exercise represented by the gallop but also because the emotional stressors. In conclusion, the 40 tournament caused significant changes of most parameters which rapidly recovered to baseline 41 values within the day after. These data will certainly be useful for a future implementation of tests 42 in equine medicine and for the improvements of knowledge regarding changes of blood parameters 43 and health of horses in similar tournaments.

Responses of haematological parameters, beta-endorphin, cortisol, d-ROMS and BAP in horses participating in a traditional tournament / Pazzola, Michele; Pira, E.; Sedda, G.; Vacca, Giuseppe Massimo; Cocco, Raffaella; Sechi, S.; Bonelli, P.; Nicolussi, P.. - In: JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-8812. - 93:4(2015), pp. 1573-1580. [10.2527/jas.2014-8341]

Responses of haematological parameters, beta-endorphin, cortisol, d-ROMS and BAP in horses participating in a traditional tournament

PAZZOLA, Michele;VACCA, Giuseppe Massimo;COCCO, Raffaella;
2015-01-01

Abstract

Several concerns have been raised over the health of animals 22 used in equestrian 23 games which have their origins in historical or religious events, and are currently held in many 24 countries. This study investigated physiological stress response and health status of horses 25 participating in the Sartiglia, a historical horse tournament held in the city of Oristano, Italy, which 26 is principally based on the attempts of masked horsemen at a gallop to run through a suspended 27 holed silver star with a sword. Blood samples were collected from 21 horses the day before the 28 tournament (D0), during the tournament (D1) and the day after (D2). Samples were analyzed for 29 complete blood count, biochemical, hormonal and oxidative stress assays. Data were analyzed using 30 the mixed effect model with sampling session as one of the fixed effect. On the whole, blood 31 parameters evidenced an optimal health status of horses at D0. Significant dehydratation, increase 32 of circulating glucose, enzymes, cortisol and β-endorphin were registered at D1 (P < 0.001) with a 33 complete recovering of physiological values just at D2. The d-ROMs (Reactive Oxygen 34 Metabolites), from which the pro-oxidant activity can be evaluated, showed an increase from D0 to 35 D1 and D2. Concentration of BAP (Biological Antioxidant Potential), which measured the 36 antioxidant capacity, was characterized by the maximum level registered during the tournament and 37 counteracted the simultaneous increase of d-ROMs. It can be hypothesized that the tournament 38 played an important role in causing high levels of oxidant markers, not only because of the physical 39 exercise represented by the gallop but also because the emotional stressors. In conclusion, the 40 tournament caused significant changes of most parameters which rapidly recovered to baseline 41 values within the day after. These data will certainly be useful for a future implementation of tests 42 in equine medicine and for the improvements of knowledge regarding changes of blood parameters 43 and health of horses in similar tournaments.
2015
Responses of haematological parameters, beta-endorphin, cortisol, d-ROMS and BAP in horses participating in a traditional tournament / Pazzola, Michele; Pira, E.; Sedda, G.; Vacca, Giuseppe Massimo; Cocco, Raffaella; Sechi, S.; Bonelli, P.; Nicolussi, P.. - In: JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-8812. - 93:4(2015), pp. 1573-1580. [10.2527/jas.2014-8341]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11388/59768
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