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Reduction of renal function in exercising horses.
A Gleadhill1, D Marlin, P A Harris
1Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Equine Veterinary Journal
|November 28, 2000
Summary
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in horses significantly decreases with exercise, even mild activity. This decline is likely an adaptation for increased blood flow to muscles and skin during physical exertion.
Area of Science:
- Equine physiology
- Exercise science
- Renal function
Background:
- Understanding how physiological parameters change during exercise is crucial for athletic performance and health.
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a key indicator of kidney function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of treadmill exercise on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) in trained Thoroughbred horses.
- To compare exercise-induced changes in GFR in horses with those reported in humans.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of GFR and ECFV were taken before, during, and after treadmill exercise in five Thoroughbred horses.
- GFR was assessed using the plasma disappearance of Tc-DTPA, and ECFV was measured using thiocyanate space.
Main Results:
- Resting GFR averaged 1.6 L/min (3.3 mL/kg/min).
- A significant fall of over 40% in GFR was observed during exercise, starting even with mild walking.
- Extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) was also measured.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that GFR is not protected during exercise in horses and is allowed to decrease.
- This reduction in GFR is hypothesized to be an adaptive mechanism to enhance perfusion of skeletal muscle and skin.
- Horses exhibit a different response to exercise-induced GFR changes compared to humans.