Marcha Gait Simulation Test Decrease Antioxidative Biomarkers in Four-Beat Gaited Horses

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to characterize the modification of anti-oxidative biomarkers, as well as hematological and protein metabolism biomarkers, in four-beat gaited horses after the marcha gait simulation test (MST). Twelve adult Mangalarga Marchador horses were submitted to the MST and blood samples were taken at four time points: pretest/fasting; immediately after the MST; 15 and 120 minutes after the MST. The following measurements were taken: red blood cells count, hemoglobin, hematocrit (HT), white blood cells count, lymphocytes (LYMPH), platelets (PLAT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, the standard deviation of red cell distribution width (RDW-SD), the coefficient of variation of red cell distribution width, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total plasma proteins (TPP), uric acid (AcUr), urea (URE), creatinine (CREAT), and albumin (ALB). The results were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey test (P < .05). The results confirmed reductions in GPX and SOD (P < .05) and increases in AcUr, TPP, ALB, URE, CREAT, red blood cells count, HT, Hb, white blood cells count, LYMPH, PLAT, MCV, and RDW-SD (P < .05) immediately after the MST. Lymphocytes reduced after the 120-minute recovery period (P < .05). In conclusion, the MST significantly decreased the antioxidative biomarkers, immediately after the MST, and produce the changes in protein and hematological biomarkers. These results are important for this group of athlete animals, who may participate frequently in competitions with short intervals between gait tests.