Effect of Bioactive Proteins on Gait Kinematics and Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Mature Horses
Abstract
Twenty-seven mature Quarter horses were used in a randomized design to determine the effects of bioactive protein supplementation on gait kinematics and systemic inflammatory markers in a 34-d trial. Treatments consisted of oral doses of 230 g/d of 0 g (CON; n=9), 40 g of bioactive proteins (40; n=9; LIFELINE, APC Inc.), and 80 g of bioactive protein (80; n=9) daily. Horses were fed a commercial concentrate at 0.5% BW (as-fed) daily and received ad libitum coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay daily. On d 33, horses participated in a trailering and riding challenge.
Kinematic gait analysis was performed on d 0 for use as a covariate, and on d 14, 28, and 34 to allow for determination of potential time and dosage effects. Video footage was collected and analyzed using gait analysis software (EquineTec) for determination of stride length (SL) and range of motion (ROM). Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture on d 0, 14, 28, and 34 for determination of systemic expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS.
A trend towards treatment x time interaction was observed in ROM of the knee at the walk (P = 0.10), due to the increasing ROM for 40 and 80 as time increased and decreasing ROM for CON. A treatment x time interaction was observed (P < 0.01) for hock ROM at a walk resulting from CON and 80 decreasing from d 14 to d 28 with CON increasing, while from d 28 to 34 ROM at a walk decreased for 40 and increased for 80. The main effect of treatment on hock ROM at the walk was quadratic (P < 0.01) and characterized by higher ROM values for 40 compared to 0 or 80. A significant treatment x time interaction was observed in expression of IL-1β (P < 0.01), and can be explained by lower concentrations of IL-1β for 80 on d 34, with 40 being intermediate and CON being the highest. Increased articular ROM with decreased expression of IL-1β may indicate potential anti-inflammatory effects of dosage of 80 g/d of bioactive proteins.
Citation
Fikes, Kalley Kay (2017). Effect of Bioactive Proteins on Gait Kinematics and Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Mature Horses. Master's thesis, Texas A & M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /166069.