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Changes in serum NGF levels after the exercise load in dogs: a pilot study.
Izumi Ando1, Kaoru Karasawa, Hiroshi Matsuda
1Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
|July 26, 2016
Summary
Serum nerve growth factor (NGF) levels increase after exercise in dogs, indicating a response to physical stress. This study provides the first evidence of NGF level changes in dogs following exercise.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serum nerve growth factor (NGF) levels are known to increase with external stress in mice, humans, and horses.
- Variations in serum NGF levels in response to stress in dogs have not been previously established.
- Dogs, as working and active partners, experience significant physical stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in serum nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in dogs following exercise.
- To compare the response of serum NGF levels to that of serum cortisol, a known biomarker for physical stress.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from dogs to measure serum NGF and cortisol levels.
- Measurements were taken post-exercise and compared to basal levels.
- Serum cortisol levels were assessed for immediate and short-term changes.
Main Results:
- Serum cortisol levels showed an immediate elevation post-exercise, returning to basal levels within one hour.
- Serum NGF levels significantly increased one hour post-exercise.
- Serum NGF levels gradually returned to basal levels after the initial increase.
Conclusions:
- Exercise stress induces a significant increase in serum nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in dogs.
- This study provides the first evidence of exercise-induced changes in serum NGF in canine subjects.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the implications of these findings.
