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Endocrine changes after experimental showjumping

In: Comparative Exercise Physiology
Authors:
Adriana Ferlazzo Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Production, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy

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Pietro Medica Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Production, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy

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Cristina Cravana Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Production, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy

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Esterina Fazio Department of Morphology, Biochemistry, Physiology and Animal Production, Unit of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy

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Abstract

The study was designed in order to gain a better understanding of whether the lack of competition stress and/or sampling time had an influence on circulating β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol modifi- cations after experimental showjumping sessions and to study the effects of fence height on hormone changes. Hormone levels were recorded before exercise in basal conditions and after warm-up, then 5 and 30 min post-exercise. Using a randomized crossover study design, six horses were studied during three experimental showjumping sessions over fences of different heights: 1.00 m (session 1), 1.10 m (session 2) and 1.20 m (session 3). The showjumping exercise did not modify plasma β-endorphin and serum ACTH concentrations after session 1, and tended only to maintain higher values than basal after both session 2 and session 3. The interaction fence height/time was not statistically significant for either β-endorphin or ACTH changes. Sampling time significantly affected both β-endorphin (F = 2.88; P < 0.04) and ACTH (F = 3.84; P < 0.01) changes. Serum cortisol levels were always higher than basal 5 min post-exercise, with levels falling at 30 min. The interaction fence height/time was not statistically significant, while sampling time significantly affected the results (F = 7.96; P < 0.0002). This study demonstrated no significant effects of fence height on β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol changes. The sampling times adopted affected post-exercise changes in plasma β-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol and could have masked the effects of fence height on hormone modifications.

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