Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T02:13:13.610Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of training and cessation of training on plasma total carbon dioxide in Standardbred horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2010

Robert A Lehnhard ,
Amanda M Szucsik ,
Valarie Balaskonis ,
Karyn Malinowski  and
Kenneth H McKeever
Robert A Lehnhard
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
Amanda M Szucsik
Affiliation:
Equine Science Center, Department of Animal Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Valarie Balaskonis
Affiliation:
Equine Science Center, Department of Animal Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Karyn Malinowski
Affiliation:
Equine Science Center, Department of Animal Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Kenneth H McKeever*
Affiliation:
Equine Science Center, Department of Animal Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Twenty-seven mature Standardbred mares (9–27 years, ~522 kg) were used to test the hypothesis that training and short-term cessation of training would alter total plasma total carbon dioxide (tCO2) concentrations. Plasma tCO2 concentrations were measured in blood samples (20 ml) collected at rest from the same ten unfit mares that were used in two separate studies that were conducted 1 month apart. Comparisons between the samples obtained from the two trials were made to demonstrate the consistency of plasma tCO2 concentrations in the untrained population. Another set of resting blood samples was collected from an additional 17 mares that were being utilized in a training study that was under way during the same period. All the mares were housed in groups on dry lots, and were fed approximately 12 kg of mixed alfalfa-grass hay divided into two feedings per 24 h period. During the ‘detraining’ period, the 17 horses were housed in 5 × 5 m stalls, and were fed the same hay ration. Water and trace-mineral blocks were available ad libitum. Blood samples were collected from the mares prior to the last session of their 12 weeks of training at 60% HRmax (maximum heart rate), as well as on the third day following 2 days of detraining (simulated quarantine). Plasma tCO2 concentrations were measured in duplicate using a Beckman EL-ISE analyser. For data analysis, t-tests with the a priori level of statistical significance set at P < 0.05 were used. Resting plasma tCO2 concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in the trained horses (31.4 ± 1.9 mMol l− 1) than in the untrained horses (34.4 ± 0.9 mMol l− 1). There were no effects (P>0.05) due to cessation of training. It was concluded that training causes a decrease in plasma tCO2 concentrations that is not reversed by limited cessation of training.

Keywords

plasma tCO2 concentrationtrainingdetraining
Type
Short Communication
Information
Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , February 2010 , pp. 15 - 17
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Rose, RJ and Lloyd, DR (1992). Sodium bicarbonate: more than just a milkshake? Equine Veterinary Journal 24: 75–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Roelofson, R (1992). Sucrose and bicarbonate overloading in Standardbred horses in Ontario. In: Short, CR (ed.) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians. Newmarket: R&W Press, pp. 145–217.Google Scholar
3Lloyd, D, Reilly, P and Rose, R (1992). The detection and performance effects of sodium bicarbonate administration in the racehorse. In: Short, CR (ed.) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians. Newmarket: R&W Press, pp. 131–138.Google Scholar
4Lloyd, DR and Rose, JR (1992). Issues relating to use of products that can produce metabolic alkalosis prior to racing. Australian Equine Veterinarian 10: 27–28.Google Scholar
5Szucsik, A, Balaskonis, V and McKeever, KH (2006). Effect of seven common supplements on plasma electrolyte and total carbon dioxide concentration and strong ion difference in Standardbred horses subjected to a simulated race test. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 3: 37–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6Auer, DE, Skelton, KV, Tay, S and Badlock, FC (1993). Detection of bicarbonate administration (milkshake) in Standardbred horses. Austrian Veterinary Journal 70: 336–340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Frey, LP, Kline, KH, Foreman, JH, Brady, AH and Cooper, SR (1995). Effects of warming up, racing and sodium bicarbonate in Standardbred horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, Supplement 18: 310–313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8Lorimer, P (1998) Report of the NJ State Police Racing Commission Drug Detection Laboratory, pp. 1–3.Google Scholar
9Irvine, CHG (1992). Control of administration of sodium bicarbonate and other alkalis: The New Zealand experience. In: Short, CR (ed.) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians. Newmarket: R&W Press, pp. 139–143.Google Scholar
10McKenna, MJ, Heigenhauser, GJ, McKelvie, RS, MacDougall, JD and Jones, NL (1997). Sprint training enhances ionic regulation during intense exercise in men. Journal of Physiology 501: 687–702.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Supreme Court of New Jersey (2001) James Campbell vs. New Jersey Racing Commission (A-70-2000), 169 N.J. 579, 781 A.2d 1035.Google Scholar
12Balaskonis, V, Szucsik, A, Lehnhard, RA and McKeever, KH (2010). Effect of dietary supplements commonly used in Standardbred racing on plasma total carbon dioxide. Comparative Exercise Physiology. 7: 43–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13Malinowski, K, Shock, E, Roegner, V, Rochelle, P, Kearns, C, Guirnalda, P et al. . (2006). Plasma beta-endorphin, cortisol, and immune responses to acute exercise are altered by age and exercise training in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, Supplement 36: 267–273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14Ciolino, D, Lehnhard, RA and McKeever, KH (2009). Effect of Gastrogard on plasma tCO2 concentration in Standardbred horses. Comparative Exercise Physiology 6: 81–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15Caltibilota, TJ, Milizio, JG, Malone, SR, Kenney, J and McKeever, KH (2010). Effect of sucralfate on plasma total carbon dioxide concentration in horses subjected to a simulated race test. The Veterinary Journal 183: 191–195.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16Kauffman, K, Kline, KH, Forman, JH and Lyman, JT (1999). Effects of diet on plasma tCO2 in horses. Proceedings of the 16th Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society Symposium. Fort Worth, TX, pp. 363–364.Google Scholar