Seasonal Cyclicity in Trace Elements and Stable Isotopes of Modern Horse Enamel.
Authors: de Winter Niels J, Snoeck Christophe, Claeys Philippe
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Seasonal Cyclicity in Trace Elements and Stable Isotopes of Modern Horse Enamel Researchers from the de Winter group analysed sequential enamel samples across six upper cheek teeth from a single modern horse to establish whether trace element composition could reflect seasonal environmental changes in the same way that stable isotope ratios do. Using micro X-ray fluorescence scanning alongside stable oxygen and carbon isotope analysis, they constructed a detailed timeline of enamel formation by leveraging the predictable relationship between oxygen isotope ratios and temperature seasonality. Trace element ratios displayed clear seasonal cyclicity with a slightly delayed phase shift relative to oxygen isotopes, with the seasonal signal correlating more closely to dietary and dust intake variations than to hydrological patterns alone. These findings suggest that trace element profiles in equine tooth enamel—particularly ratios reflecting dust exposure and forage composition—could serve as robust proxies for reconstructing seasonal dietary patterns and environmental conditions in both modern and archaeological populations. For practitioners working with performance horses, this research validates the use of dental enamel analysis as a non-invasive method to retrospectively assess seasonal nutrition, environmental stress, and forage quality during critical developmental periods.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Tooth enamel chemistry offers a non-invasive method for retrospectively assessing seasonal dietary and environmental changes in individual horses
- •Understanding enamel isotope and trace element patterns may help interpret nutritional history in horses with chronic health issues or poor performance
- •This technique could support investigations into historical or archaeological horse populations to determine seasonal management and feed sources
Key Findings
- •Trace element ratios in horse tooth enamel show seasonal cyclicity patterns that are phase-shifted relative to stable oxygen isotope ratios
- •Seasonal signals in trace elements reflect changes in dust intake and dietary composition rather than temperature-driven hydrological cycles
- •Trace element profiles in equine enamel can serve as proxies for reconstructing seasonal paleo-environmental and paleo-dietary conditions