[en] This study was carried out to investigate stress induced in a cross-country by measuring plasma cortisol and to compare the changes in cortisol level with the leucocytic changes measured with the quantitative buffy coat (QBC) analysis, which is a new method applicable in field conditions for the evaluation of haematological parameters in horses. Seven healthy horses competing in a national three-day event were investigated. Venous blood was sampled under resting condition, 2 min and 180 min after the completion of the cross-country and analysed for haematological parameters, plasma cortisol, protein and lactate levels. Immediately after the event, there was a significant increase in all values except in the granulocytes (Gr) to lymphocytes-monocytes (LM) ratio. 180 min after the event, all the parameters returned to their resting levels while white blood cells (WBC), Gr and Gr/LM ratio were significantly higher with respect to their resting values. A high correlation (r = 0.82) was found between the relative increase in plasma cortisol levels 2 min after exercise and the relative increase in Gr/LM 180 min after exercise. Therefore it was concluded that the Gr/LM ratio measured 180 min after exercise with the QBC analysis is a reliable index to estimate the plasma cortisol levels measured 2 min after exercise. This new technique could consequently be used in order to evaluate, in field conditions, the exercise-induced stress.
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health
Author, co-author :
Linden, Annick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires
Art, Tatiana ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de sciences fonctionnelles > Phys. neuro-muscul., de l'effort - Méd. sport. des animaux
Amory, Hélène ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés
Massart, A. M.
Burvenich, C.
Lekeux, Pierre ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de sciences fonctionnelles > Physiologie
Language :
English
Title :
Quantitative Buffy Coat Analysis Related to Adrenocortical Function in Horses During a Three-Day Event Competition
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