Effects of a Gastroscopic Procedure on Salivary Cortisol Release and Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Young Racehorses.
Authors: Ostermeier Sabina, Palme Rupert, Vervuert Ingrid, Glomm Barbara, Feige Karsten, Macho-Maschler Sabine, König von Borstel Uta, Venner Monica
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Gastroscopy is a routine diagnostic procedure in equine practice, yet little is known about its acute and sustained stress impact on young racehorses undergoing early training. Researchers measured salivary cortisol and fecal cortisol metabolites in 31 two-year-old Thoroughbreds before and after gastroscopic examination at the start and end of their first training season, providing both immediate and delayed stress response data. Both procedures triggered statistically significant elevations in salivary cortisol and fecal cortisol metabolites compared to baseline values, with the second gastroscopy producing stronger responses (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0006 respectively), though the increases remained mild in magnitude. These findings suggest that whilst gastroscopy itself induces measurable physiological stress responses in young racehorses, the lack of habituation between procedures six months apart warrants consideration of sedation protocols and handling techniques to minimise welfare impact during routine examinations. For practitioners managing young Thoroughbreds in training, this research supports evidence-based discussion with owners regarding the stress-mitigating benefits of appropriate sedation and skilled restraint during gastroscopic investigations, particularly as stress accumulation may compromise athletic performance and training outcomes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Gastroscopy causes measurable acute stress in young racehorses; consider timing procedures to minimize impact on training schedules or use appropriate sedation/calming strategies
- •The mild stress response persists even with repeated procedures, so individual horse monitoring is warranted rather than assuming habituation
- •Salivary and fecal cortisol monitoring can objectively quantify procedural stress and help evaluate welfare impact of routine diagnostic procedures in training horses
Key Findings
- •Salivary cortisol increased significantly after both the 1st gastroscopy (p = 0.0045) and 2nd gastroscopy (p < 0.0001) compared to basal values
- •Fecal cortisol metabolites increased significantly after both the 1st gastroscopy (p < 0.0001) and 2nd gastroscopy (p = 0.0006) compared to basal values
- •Gastroscopy induced a mild but measurable stress response in two-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses in training
- •Stress response to gastroscopy was consistent across repeated procedures six months apart