EXERCISE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS OF THE OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS IN ERYTHROCYTESOF PONIES INVOLVED IN RECREATIONAL HORSEBACK RIDING

Abstract

The aim of the current study was the analysis of the oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as the osmotic-induced resistance of erythrocytes in mares and stallions of ponies involved in recreational horseback riding in Pomeranian regions. Ten healthy adult Hucul ponies (5 stallions and 5 mares), 5-11 years old, from Pomeranian regions in Poland (Ustka city, Pomeranian Voivodship, Poland) were used in our study. All horses participated in recreational horseback riding and were subjected to the resembling type of management. The training was continued 1 hour and included a ride of cross country by walking (10 min), trotting (15 min), walking (10 min), galloping (15 min), and walking (10 min). Blood was drawn from jugular veins of the animals in the morning, 90 minutes after feeding, and immediately after the exercise session. Marker of lipid peroxidation (2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS), aldehydic and ketonic derivatives in the erythrocytes, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level in the erythrocytes of both mares and stallions exhibited non-significant changes immediately after exercise as compared to the resting period. Both at the rest and after the training session, the levels of TBARS, aldehydic and ketonic derivatives in the erythrocyte suspensions of mares were non-significantly higher compared to stallions. In a like manner, differences of aldehydic and ketonic derivatives of oxidatively modified proteins between mares and stallions after training sessions were noted. Both at the rest and after the training session, the TAC level in the erythrocyte suspensions of stallions was non-significantly higher compared to mares. Among both mares and stallions, a non-significantly decreased erythrocyte hemolysis was observed after training sessions compared to the rest period. A comparison of erythrocyte hemolysis in mares and stallions at the rest period showed increased values of hemolysis in the stallions. After the training session, decreased hemolysis was observed in the stallions compared to mares. Efforts should be directed toward a thorough characterization of antioxidant defenses, as well as the correlation links between oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant defenses including age- and gender-related differences in the training programs of horses involved in the recreational horseback ridings.