Basic Studies on the Oxidative Stress Markers in Two Types of Horse Breed: Semi-isolated Population of Huculs Is Different from Commercially Used Arabian Horses

Abstract

Hucul and Arabian horses differ in the physiological constitution and exposition to environmental conditions. Oxidative stress plays a pathogenic role in many diseases and enables further injuries. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxidative stress markers in Hucul horses living in seminatural conditions and in commercially handled Arabian horses. We tested the serum samples for total superoxide dismutase (total SOD), Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), and Mn-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity; for lipofuscin (LPS), ceruloplasmin (CER) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration; and for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS). Total SOD (p<0.001), MnSOD (p<0.001), and CuZnSOD (p<0.001) activities were significantly higher whereas LPS (p<0.05), TAC (p<0.001), TOS (p<0.001), and MDA (p<0.001) concentrations were significantly lower in the serum samples collected from Huculs vs. Arabian horses, regardless of the gender. Gender, regardless of the breed, had no significant impact on the antioxidants’ activity and concentration. Total SOD and MnSOD activities were significantly higher in Hucul’s mares when compared to Hucul’s stallions. Concentrations of TAC and TOS were significantly lower in Arabian stallions than in Arabian mares. Commercially handled horses expressed a higher level of oxidative stress markers in comparison to breeds living in seminatural conditions. We conclude that antioxidants are important biomarkers of animal health, whether they are under maintenance care or performing physical exercise.

Pre-Ride Biomarkers and Endurance Horse Welfare: Analyzing the Impact of the Elimination of Superoxide Dismutase, δ-Aminolevulinic-Dehydratase, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances, Iron, and Serum Amyloid A Levels in Elite 160 km Endurance Rides

“…To assess SOD, an assay kit from Cayman Chemicals was used, measuring all three types of iso-enzymes (Cu/Zn, MN, and FeSOD) as one combined value. SOD in horses is influenced by age, breed, sex, and exercise [13,[33][34][35][36][37]. Oral supplements such as vitamin E, SOD, or polyunsaturated oil have been shown to have an effect [34,[38][39][40], but an increased selenium intake does not affect SOD levels [11,15].…”

Measures of Oxidative Status Markers in Relation to Age, Sex, and Season in Sick and Healthy Captive Asian Elephants in Thailand

“…However, the impact of oxidative stress on health may not always be obvious in terms of clinical signs and external appearances [12,21]. Thus, measures of oxidative stress markers could provide useful information to identify animals at risk of poor health and welfare outcomes [15,22].…”

Duodenojejunal Omega Switch Surgery Reduces Oxidative Stress Induced by Cafeteria Diet in Sprague-Dawley Rats

“…Lipofuscin is an undegradable material, comprising the residues of oxidized lipids and proteins, which accumulate with time, proportionally to ROS formation intensity [ 41 , 42 ]. As the product of unsaturated fatty acid oxidation, its presence may indicate membrane or mitochondria and lysosome damage.…”