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Heavy metal concentrations in injured racehorses
K H Plumlee1, B Johnson, I A Gardner
1California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Insights
Heavy metal concentrations in horse tissues varied by age and breed, with kidney iron levels higher in horses with specific bone and ligament injuries. These findings may inform equine health and safety protocols.
Area of Science:
- Equine Sports Medicine
- Toxicology
- Veterinary Pathology
Background:
- Fatal injuries in racehorses are a significant concern in equine sports.
- Understanding potential contributing factors, including trace element levels, is crucial for improving safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between heavy metal concentrations in equine tissues and fatal racing injuries.
- To identify potential correlations between specific metals, injury types, age, and breed.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of fatal racing injuries in horses over a 16-month period in California.
- Categorization of horses by injury type, sex, age, and breed.
- Measurement of arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, molybdenum, and zinc concentrations in liver and kidney tissues.
Main Results:
- Kidney iron concentrations were significantly higher in horses with ligament ruptures and fractures of the sesamoid, carpus, or metacarpus/metatarsus.
- Liver cadmium, kidney cadmium, and liver iron levels were elevated in horses older than 2 years compared to younger horses.
- Thoroughbreds exhibited higher liver cadmium concentrations than Quarter Horses.
Conclusions:
- Kidney iron levels may be associated with specific types of fatal musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses.
- Age and breed appear to influence heavy metal accumulation in equine tissues, particularly cadmium and iron.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of trace elements in racehorse injury pathogenesis.
Abstract:
Records were reviewed of horses that had fatal injuries at California racetracks over a 16-mo period. Horses were categorized based on injury type, sex, age and breed. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, molybdenum and zinc concentrations were measured in the liver and kidneys from each horse. Arsenic and lead were not detected in any tissues. Liver heavy metal concentrations were not related to the injury type. Kidney iron concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in horses with ligament ruptures and in horses with fractured sesamoid, carpus or metacarpus/metatarsus bones. Liver cadmium, kidney cadmium, and liver iron were higher (P < 0.05) in horses > 2 y old than in 2-y-olds. Liver cadmium concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in Thoroughbreds than in Quarter Horses.