J Vet Sci.  2010 Dec;11(4):285-289. 10.4142/jvs.2010.11.4.285.

Peripheral serotoninergic response to physical exercise in athletic horses

• Alberghina D
• Giannetto
• Piccione G

• KMID: 1072176
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2010.11.4.285

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of exercise on plasma tryptophan (TRP) and free serotonin (f5-HT), whole blood-5-HT (WB-5-HT) and f5-HT/WB-5-HT ratio in Italian Saddle horses. Six clinically healthy Italian Saddle horses were subjected to a 450 meters obstacles course. Blood samples were collected from each horse by jugular venipuncture using vacutainer tubes with K3-EDTA at rest, immediately after exercise, and after 30 min. TRP, f5-HT and WB-5-HT were analyzed by HPLC. Immediately after exercise, statistically significant increases of f5-HT (p<0.001) and WB-5-HT (p<0.001) were observed. After 30 min, f5-HT and WB-5-HT decreased compared to immediately after exercise, but were still significantly higher than rest values (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). A significant linear regression between f5-HT and WB-5-HT was observed during experimental conditions. f5-HT and WB-5-HT modifications after exercise suggest an important role of peripheral serotoninergic markers in response to physical activity. The possible source of extra serotonin detected after show jumping should be clarified by further investigation.

Keyword

athletic horses; exercise; plasma; serotonin; tryptophan

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biological Markers/blood
Female
Horses/*blood/*metabolism
Linear Models
Male
*Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology
Serotonin/*blood
Tryptophan/blood

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Linear regression between free serotonin (f5-HT) and whole blood-5-HT (WB-5-HT) in Italian Saddle horse at rest (n = 6), immediately (n = 6) and 30 min (n = 6) after physical exercise (r = 0.75; p<0.001).

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  Fig. 2 Total plasma proteins and packed cell volume (PCV) in Italian Saddle horse at rest, immediately and 30 min after physical exercise. Significantly different from previous values *p<0.05, **p<0.01.

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