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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Murine Model of Epicutaneously-Induced Immunomodulation
Published on: June 24, 2025
Benefits of moderate training to the nonspecific immune response of colts
B M Escribano1, E I Agüera, R Vivo
1Department of Animal Biology (Physiology), Cordoba, Spain.
Insights
Progressive training enhances the nonspecific immune response in colts by improving neutrophilic polymorphonuclear cell function. Moderate exercise boosts immune capacity, better preparing young horses against infections.
Area of Science:
- Equine immunology
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Nonspecific immune response defects, particularly in neutrophilic function, can lead to infections, impacting athletic performance.
- Respiratory diseases are a significant concern in equine athletes due to compromised immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of progressive training on the nonspecific immune response in Anglo-Arabian colts.
- To determine if exercise improves neutrophilic polymorphonuclear cell functions related to immunity.
Main Methods:
- Compared trained Anglo-Arabian colts (participating in National Jumping Competitions) with untrained colts of the same breed.
- Assessed nonspecific immune capacity post-submaximal exercise test using adherence, chemotaxis, ingestion, and digestion tests of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear cells.
Main Results:
- Significant differences observed in adherence and foreign particle digestion between trained and untrained colts.
- Trained colts demonstrated superior immune function effectiveness, with increased digestive capacity compared to untrained counterparts.
- Untrained animals initially showed greater adherence, but trained colts exhibited enhanced overall immune response.
Conclusions:
- Moderate training and exercise significantly improve and reinforce the nonspecific immune system's response in colts.
- Enhanced immune function in trained colts offers better protection against future infections.
- Progressive exercise is beneficial for bolstering the innate immunity of young equine athletes.
Abstract:
The aim of this work was to assess whether progressive training caused an improvement in the nonspecific immune response of colts because several unusual infections are due to defects inherent in the neutrophilic function among which respiratory diseases are a major defect in the performance of athletes taking part in professional sports activities. A group of 7 Anglo-Arabian colts belonging to the Army was selected. These animals carry out training programmes for their participation in National Jumping Competitions. During a submaximal exercise test (heart rate 150 beats/min and lactate levels maintained at aerobic-anaerobic threshold of 3 mmol/l), they were compared with 5 colts of the same breed, just beginning training exercises. Immediately after the test, the nonspecific immune capacity of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear cells was valued by adherence, chemotaxis, ingestion and digestion of foreign substances tests. The results showed significant differences between trained and nontrained animals for the adherence and foreign particle digestion tests and, beginning with a greater adherence in untrained animals, a superior effectiveness was achieved in the immune function in trained colts, whose digestive capactiy was increased with respect to the untrained ones. It was, therefore, concluded that moderate training and exercise improves and reinforces the response of the nonspecific immune system against future infections in the organisms.
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