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Haematological and serum biochemical values in Norwegian sled dogs before and after competing in a 600 km race.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Long-distance racing is known to cause alterations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters in sled dogs. Given that finishing status reflects the physical condition in dogs completing a race, such variations will mainly be the result of physiological adaption achieved during endurance exercise. However, changes observed in withdrawn dogs may indicate pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to reveal changes in haematological and serum biochemical values in sled dogs participating in a long-distance race, with emphasis on the withdrawn dogs. Sixty-five sled dogs participated in a clinical prospective cohort study: 46 dogs competed in the 600 km race (25 finishing and 21 withdrawn dogs), and 19 dogs served as controls. Blood sampling was performed early in the training season and after the race. RESULTS:When compared to control dogs, both withdrawn and finishing dogs showed significant increases in neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen and sodium/potassium ratio. Significant decreases were found in erythrocytes and eosinophil cell count, and in haematocrit, haemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, potassium and calcium levels. Finishing dogs presented significant increases in white blood cells, large unstained cells, monocyte count and cortisol level compared to control dogs. In contrast, withdrawn dogs had significant elevations in alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as parameters associated with muscle metabolism, such as aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and phosphorus concentration. CONCLUSIONS:Competing sled dogs experienced minor changes in blood parameters in general, mainly revealing the same pattern among withdrawals and finishers. This might indicate that numerous changes simply reflect physiological adaption due to endurance exercise. However, the serum concentration of muscle enzymes was significantly increased only in the withdrawals, and were well above reference ranges. This reflects muscle degradation, which could be the main cause of performance failure in some of the withdrawals.

SUBMITTER: Jahr TH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6485113 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Haematological and serum biochemical values in Norwegian sled dogs before and after competing in a 600 km race.

Jahr Tuva Holt TH Fergestad Marte Ekeland ME Brynildsrud Ola O Brun-Hansen Hege H Skancke Ellen E

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica 20190425 1

<h4>Background</h4>Long-distance racing is known to cause alterations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters in sled dogs. Given that finishing status reflects the physical condition in dogs completing a race, such variations will mainly be the result of physiological adaption achieved during endurance exercise. However, changes observed in withdrawn dogs may indicate pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to reveal changes in haematological and serum biochemical values i ...[more]

PMID: 31023353

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Project description:Although emerging data suggests a greater influence of gluconeogenic precursors, endurance sled dogs have long appeared to rely heavily on fatty acid oxidation for sustained energy production. However, much of the research investigating lipid utilization during exercise in sled dogs has been carried out with dogs subjected to extended bouts of endurance exercise. Less is known about changes in fatty acid composition in endurance training sled dogs subjected to short bouts of exercise, and fewer data define how fatty acid composition may change in distinct lipid fractions. As such, the study objective was to assess whether short bouts of submaximal exercise would affect fatty acid profiles of serum lipid fractions in endurance training sled dogs. Fifteen privately-owned Siberian huskies were used (8 females: 4 intact, 4 spayed; 7 males: 2 intact, 5 neutered), with an average age of 4.6 ± 2.5 years and body weight of 24.8 ± 4.2 kg. Throughout the diet acclimation and remainder of the study, all dogs were fed a dry extruded diet that met or exceeded all AAFCO nutrient recommendations. Dogs were weighed weekly and fed to maintain baseline body weight. A 12-week exercise regimen was designed to incorporate weekly increases in running distance, but weather played a role in setting the daily distance. On weeks 2, 5, and 11, an exercise challenge was implemented whereby dogs would run 4 km at 15 km/h in teams of 4. Pre- and post-exercise blood samples were taken, and gas chromatography was used to evaluate fatty acid profiles of all identified serum lipid fractions (cholesterol ester, diacylglycerol, free fatty acid, phospholipids, triglyceride). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS, with dog as a random effect and week and sampling time point as fixed effects. Composition of oleic (18:1n9), linoleic (18:2n6), and alpha-linolenic (18:3n3) acids in the free fatty acid fraction decreased by ~9, 10, and 60%, respectively, following exercise (P ≤ 0.05). The results presented herein suggest that aside from a degree of depletion of these 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids, short bouts of submaximal exercise do not induce considerable changes to sled dog fatty acid profiles.

Project description:BackgroundGreenland sled dogs (GSD) are a unique, genetically isolated population of dogs living under exceptional environmental conditions. Metabolism, and thereby thyroid hormones are affected by multiple factors. Among other activity, energy balance and environmental conditions are important. A breed-specific reference interval (RI) can be useful for diagnostics of potential thyroid-related pathologies. The aim of this study was to establish RIs of the thyroid hormones thyroxin (T4), free thyroxin (fT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in GSD. In addition to evaluate the effect of sex, age, season, management, and body condition score (BCS) in GSD. Physical exams and cephalic venous blood sampling were performed in the period of 2018-2019 from 265 GSD managed either privately or by the Danish navy. Serum biochemical analyses, including C-reactive protein, were performed and RIs were determined for TSH, T4 and fT4 in only healthy dogs. The RIs were determined using American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines and the effect of varying factors were evaluated by linear regression and further tested by Mann-Whitney test.Results144 GSD were included in the reference group resulting in RIs: T4: 6.44-48.65 nmol/L; fT4: 3.91-18.51 pmol/L; and TSH: 0.04-0.55 ng/mL. Female GSD had significantly higher concentrations of T4 (P = 0.039) and fT4 (P = 0.015) compared to males; a positive correlation between TSH and aging was found; T4 concentrations were significantly higher (P = 0.003) during summer; and TSH concentrations were lower in GSD managed by the navy (P < 0.0001). BCS was higher (P < 0.0001) in Sirius GSD compared to civilian GSD, and BCS was positively correlated with T4 and negatively correlated with TSH.ConclusionsReference intervals for T4, fT4 and TSH in GSD were established. The RI for T4 and fT4 was lower compared to other breeds. In addition, sex, age, season, management and BCS demonstrated variable effects on thyroid hormones. Our results can be used as a foundation for improving management and further research of GSD.

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Project description:Background: Muscle responses to exercise are complex, and potentially include acute responses to exercise-induced injury as well as longer-term adaptive training responses. Using Alaskan sled dogs as an experimental model, changes in muscle gene expression were analyzed to better understand the temporal changes that occur after severe exercise. Methods: Dogs were randomly assigned to undertake in a 160 km run (n=9), or to remain at rest (n=4). Biceps femoris muscle was obtained by needle biopsy from the unexercised dogs and two dogs at each of 2, 6 and 12 hours after the exercise and from 3 dogs 24 hours after exercise. RNA was extracted and microarray analysis used to define gene transcriptional changes. Results: Nine hundred sixty three transcripts exhibited statistically significant change over time after exercise as compared to the unexercised dogs. The changes in gene expression after exercise occurred in a clear temporal pattern and included transcripts with increased expression 2 hours after exercise with a return towards resting levels by 6 hours after exercise. Other transcripts demonstrated increased expression which peaked at six hours after exercise, while other transcripts showed sustained induction or repression over the 24 hours after exercise. Increases in a number of known transcriptional regulators, including PPAR-Î±, CERM and CEBPD, were observed 2-hours after exercise. Pathway analysis demonstrated coordinated changes in expression of genes with known functional relationships, including genes involved in muscle remodeling and growth, intermediary metabolism and immune regulation. Conclusion: Sustained endurance exercise by Alaskan sled dogs induces coordinated changes in gene expression with a clear temporal pattern. RNA expression profiling has the potential to identify novel regulatory mechanisms and responses to exercise stimuli. Subjects were 13 Alaskan sled dogs aged 4.5 + 2.5 years (mean + SD) and weighing 23.3 + 2.5 kg. Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups â one group of 9 dogs subsequently ran 160 km in 24 hours as 2 sessions of 80 km, separated by a 6 hour rest period. The second group consisted of four dogs housed in unheated kennels, their usual housing, for the duration of the experiment. All dogs were from the same kennel. Dogs were fed a commercial kibble (Eukanuba, Iams Company, Dayton, OH) supplemented with frozen meat during the 8 weeks preceding the study and throughout the study period. The dogâs diet was consistent before, during and after the exercise bout. All dogs had completed 1590 + 100 km of training runs in the 3 months before the study. The dogs had not exercised for 72 hors before the start of this study. Dogs in the exercise group ran as a team pulling a lightly laden sled and driver over packed snow. Ambient temperatures were -20o to -10o C with no wind. Dogs completed the two 80 km runs in 23 hours, including the 6 hour rest period. Blood samples were collected by jugular venepuncture from all dogs the day before exercise, and within a 10 minute window at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after completing the second run. Samples were collected into evacuated glass tubes containing a clot enhancer. Muscle samples were collected from each of two dogs within a 10 minute window at 2, 6 and 12 hours after completing exercise and from three dogs 24 hours after completing exercise. Muscle samples were collected from each of the four unexercised dogs within two hours of the other dogs initiating their exercise bout. Each dog had only one biopsy procedure performed. Muscle samples were collected from the biceps femoris muscle using a needle biopsy that yielded approximately 40-60 mg of muscle. The biopsy was performed after clipping and aseptic preparation of the skin overlying the biopsy site. The dog was anesthetized with propofol (6 mg/kg, IV, maintained as necessary with 2 mg/kg additional boluses), a cuffed orotracheal tube placed and the dog ventilated with a hand-held ventilation bag. When adequate anesthesia had been obtained a 5 mm incision was made in the skin. A sterile biopsy needle (12 g PGI EZ Core, Products group International, Inc. Lyons, CO) was then inserted through the incision and a sample of muscle collected. If necessary, repeated collections of muscle were made until a minimum of 40 mg of muscle has been collected from an individual dog. The skin incision was closed with tissue glue and an antibiotic ointment applied. The dog was monitored closely until recovery from anesthesia was complete. Carprofen (4.4 mg/kg, orally) was administered when the dog had recovered sufficiently from anesthesia to have a gag reflex.

Dataset Information

Haematological and serum biochemical values in Norwegian sled dogs before and after competing in a 600 km race.

Publications

Haematological and serum biochemical values in Norwegian sled dogs before and after competing in a 600 km race.

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