Background:The most abundant free amino acid in mammals is glutamine (GLN). Little research has focused on GLN supplementation for horses, but GLN levels in this species are known to decline after exercise and during lactation. Under physiological conditions, the body produces Gln in sufficient quantities for general metabolism, and a small part of this amino acid comes from dietary protein. Little research has so far focused on equine dietary supplementation with free glutamine or combined with other amino acids during catabolic states or in highly stressful situations. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of equine dietary supplementation using a combination of glutamine and glutamate. Materials, Methods & Results:The study involved four Arabian mares, not in training (~380 kg; ~12 years old) and four treatments (control, and inclusions of 1, 2 and 4% of GLN+GLU) in a Latin square model. A 7-day washout period was established between each phase. Fifty percent of the mares' maintenance energy requirements came from concentrate and 50% from hay and grazing. The other 50% came from Tifton hay (Cynodon dactylon), which was supplied ad libitum. After 7 weeks of nutritional supplementation (once a day, in the morning). In the experimental model, the mares were distributed in a Latin square design comprised of four treatments: control (without inclusion) and inclusions of 1%, 2% and 4% of supplement (AminoGut ® , Ajinomoto do Brazil), and four animals. Blood was collected in five stages (fasting, and 60, 120, 240 and 360 min after feeding) in each treatment. The blood samples were analyzed to determine GLN, GLU, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total plasma protein, hematocrit and glucose levels. Glutamine and Glutamate concentrations were analyzed using the enzymatic spectrophotometric method. The results were analyzed statistically using one-and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test with P set at 5%. The results indicated that GLN differed in both the group (P < 0.001) and between the phases of supplementation (P < 0.001), but no interaction occurred between them (P > 0.05). Significant changes in GLN levels were also observed in the 4% inclusion treatment compared to all the treatments in the fasting phase and in the + 60 min and +240 min phases of the control group (P < 0.05). All the other biomarkers analyzed here were unchanged (Glutamate, Urea, Creatinine, Urea, TPP, Glucose and Hematocrit) (P > 0.05) during the period under analysis, and remained within the normal range for the species in their current stabling conditions. The mares presented no clinical problems nor did they change their feeding behavior during the supplementation period or on the days blood was collected. Discussion: Glutamine metabolism in horses has yet to be extensively studied. However, it has been shown that, when supplied to horses in its free form, this amino acid causes Gln levels to rise rapidly within the first 90 min of the postprandial period. This indicates that an extra amount of this amino acid may increase Gln blood level...
Supplementation with glutamine has been proposed to prevent the catabolic response to exercise but there are few studies of glutamine supplementation in training horses. Four Arabian mares were divided in a latin square design to determine the optimal dose of glutamine. The mares received zero, 10g, 20 and 40 grams of AminoGut (L‐glutamine and L‐glutamate) mixed into one kilogram of the meal. Blood was drawn prior to the meal and at 4h post‐feeding. There were no differences in plasma urea, creatinine and uric acid over 4h. Plasma glutamine rose in the AminoGut supplemented group with a peak at 4h. There were no differences between the group that received 20g or 40g of AminoGut. The results indicate that 20g or 2% of AminoGut in the diet could be beneficial to prevent catabolism during exercising horses.
Transition period represents a mild catabolic state accompanied by loss of lean body mass in many mammals. Effects of L‐Glutamine and L‐Glutamic acid (AminoGut) supplementation was evaluated on body composition and markers of nitrogen metabolism in gilts through the transition period. Thirty pregnant gilts were divided into two treatments: Control receiving a commercial feed, and AminoGut group receiving similar feed to the controls but with 1.5% AminoGut mixed into each kilogram of feed. The supplementation began one week before parturition and continued until weaning (day 21 post‐parturition). Blood samples were drawn prior to the beginning of supplementation, within 6 hours of parturition, at 7 and 21 days post‐parturition. In the control group at the end of weaning body weight had decreased 14% from that one week prior to parturition but no weight loss was seen in the group receiving AminoGut. Backfat thickness also showed a decrease by the end of weaning. Plasma creatinine and urea concentrations rose after birth and then stayed constant until weaning. Plasma uric acid was relatively high one week prior to parturition but then fell dramatically on the day of parturition. Results indicate that supplementation of AminoGut throughout the transition period prevented body weight loss, possibly through sparing of lean body mass, and thus may be beneficial in decreasing protein catabolism in gilts during lactation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.