Antioxidant and haematological biomarkers in different groups of horses supplemented with polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E.
Authors: Mélo S K M, Diniz A I A, de Lira V L, de Oliveira Muniz S K, da Silva G R, Manso H E C da C C, Manso Filho H C
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
Oxidative stress contributes significantly to performance limitations and pathological conditions in equine athletes, making antioxidant management an increasingly relevant consideration for those managing working horses. Researchers supplemented 16 horses (6 at maintenance, 10 in training) with either 100 ml or 300 ml daily of a polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E mixture for 8 weeks, collecting blood samples at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks to measure antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), oxidative stress markers (uric acid), and comprehensive haematological parameters including red cell distribution width indices and white cell counts. Both groups showed significant increases in superoxide dismutase and uric acid by week 8, whilst trained horses additionally demonstrated elevated glutathione peroxidase activity; maintenance horses exhibited broader haematological shifts including increased white blood cell counts and red cell distribution width markers. These findings suggest that polyunsaturated oil supplemented with vitamin E provides meaningful antioxidant support through multiple pathways, though the differing response patterns between resting and exercising horses indicate that supplement efficacy may depend on metabolic demand and training status. For practitioners managing performance horses or those recovering from oxidative stress-related conditions, this evidence supports targeted micronutrient supplementation as part of a comprehensive management strategy, though dose optimisation relative to workload warrants further investigation.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E supplementation can boost antioxidant defences in working horses, with GPx and SOD increases observed within 8 weeks—relevant for managing oxidative stress in athletic performance
- •Response patterns differ between resting and training horses, suggesting supplementation protocols may need tailoring based on workload; maintenance horses showed broader haematological changes
- •This nutritional intervention appears safe and supports physiological adaptation to exercise stress, making it a practical addition to feeding programmes for performance horses
Key Findings
- •Maintenance horses supplemented with polyunsaturated oil and vitamin E showed significant increases in SOD, uric acid, white blood cell count, RDW-SD and RDW-CV after 8 weeks (p < 0.05)
- •Training horses supplemented with the same mixture showed increases in GPx, SOD and uric acid after 8 weeks (p < 0.05)
- •Both maintenance and training horses exhibited increased blood antioxidants with different response patterns depending on activity level