The Oxidative Stress Markers of Horses-the Comparison with Other Animals and the Influence of Exercise and Disease.
Authors: Shono Saori, Gin Azusa, Minowa Fumiko, Okubo Kimihiro, Mochizuki Mariko
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Horses exhibit substantially higher baseline oxidative stress markers (d-ROM levels) than cattle and dogs, though remaining lower than human reference values, suggesting species-specific oxidative metabolism that may reflect their evolutionary adaptation to sustained aerobic activity. Researchers measured diacron-reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) in 53 horses of various types and cross-referenced these markers against published data from other species and disease states, identifying a distinct oxidative stress profile unique to equines. Significantly, diseased horses—including those with ringbone, cellulitis, melanoma, and post-surgical or post-partum conditions—demonstrated d-ROM and BAP values that separated visibly from healthy cohorts on graphical analysis, indicating these markers are responsive to pathophysiological changes. This responsiveness to health status suggests d-ROM and BAP could serve as practical diagnostic tools in equine practice, potentially complementing existing clinical assessment methods for detecting subclinical disease, infection, and post-operative or reproductive complications. Given the current scarcity of equine-specific oxidative stress reference data, establishing these baseline values and their sensitivity to disease states provides a foundation for future investigation into whether serial monitoring of these markers might improve early disease detection or athletic performance management.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •d-ROM and BAP serum levels may serve as diagnostic or monitoring tools to detect systemic disease and stress in horses, with abnormal values warranting clinical investigation
- •Baseline oxidative stress profiles could help distinguish healthy horses from those with subclinical or early-stage disease conditions
- •These biomarkers may be useful for monitoring recovery following surgical procedures or systemic infections in equine patients
Key Findings
- •Mean d-ROM levels in horses (n=53) were significantly higher than in dairy cattle and dogs (p<0.001), but lower than human standard levels
- •d-ROM and BAP levels in diseased horses (ringbone, cellulitis, melanoma, Rhodococcus equi, post-surgical, post-partum) showed marked separation from healthy horse values when plotted graphically
- •d-ROM and BAP levels changed significantly depending on health status, suggesting these markers have potential as health indices in horses
- •Oxidative stress markers appear promising for comparative medicine assessment across equine, bovine, canine, and human species