Comparison of β-endorphin, Lactate and Cortisol Concentrations in Winning and Losing Racehorses

Understanding the physiological and biochemical changes in racehorses can be invaluable. Accurate information in this area could result in better understanding of needs of sport horses. The aim of this study was to prove the hypothesis that biochemical changes could influence the outcome of competitions. In this study, β-endorphin was evaluated as an indicator of analgesia, lactate as an indicator of fatigue and cortisol as an indicator of stress in the first two horses and the last ones that cross the finish line. This study was performed on 44 horses participating in the 1000-meter national championship. In Group 1, 22 winners and second place horses were included; for Group 2, 22 last and penultimate horses were included. Blood samples were obtained in the doping room after race (T0) and 20 minutes after finishing (T20). Results for beta endorphin at T0 and T20 were higher (P > 0.05) for Group 1 compared to Group 2; on the contrary, lactate concentration was lower (P > 0.05) for Group 1 than Group 2 at T0 and T20. However, differences (P < 0.05) were obtained within groups at T0 and T20 for beta endorphin and lactate concentrations. No significant differences were found for cortisol concentration.The results of this study showed that winning horses had higher levels of β-endorphin and lower levels of lactate than losers. Further and deeper experimental studies are needed to prove the hypothesis that biochemical changes could influence the outcome of competitions.