Abstract :
[en] Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are a significant concern in the horseracing industry. This longitudinal study assessed whether routine blood biochemical markers could indicate impending MSIs in jump racing Thoroughbreds. The focus was on identifying changes in subclinical horses before injury manifestation. Blood samples were collected bimensually over 18 months from racehorses at three French stables (morning, at rest, pre-feeding). The case group (n = 13, including 7 bone fractures and 6 tendonitis) and matched controls (n = 10, matched for stable, sampling day, training regimen, age, sex, etc.) were sampled 4±2 times (mean±SD) consecutively. Injuries appeared within two months following the last sample. Biochemical markers analyzed included GGT, SDH, GLDH, AST, ALP, albumin, CK, cholesterol, SAA, bilirubin and bile acids. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test, chi-squared tests and two-way ANOVA-type nonparametric analysis. No significant differences were found between cases and controls across all markers. Temporal patterns in certain markers were observed, notably a gradual decline in ALP levels over time in all horses. Distinct fluctuations in total and indirect bilirubin along with cholesterol were noted, with tendonitis cases showing increases and fracture cases exhibiting decreases, though all remained within physiological ranges. These fluctuations likely reflect normal physiological processes rather than subclinical signs of MSIs. This highlights the limitations of routine biochemical assays for injury prevention in racehorses and the integration of advanced “-omics” technologies may be necessary to uncover more reliable biomarkers for injury risk assessment.
