Identification of key genes in immune-response post-endurance run in horses.
Authors: Akçay S, Gurkok-Tan T, Ekici S
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Sex-specific immune responses in endurance horses Following a gruelling 160 km endurance ride, horses mount complex immune and inflammatory adaptations whose molecular underpinnings remain poorly understood—particularly regarding sex-based differences. Akçay and colleagues used transcriptomic analysis to compare gene expression patterns before and after competition, identifying key regulatory genes, signalling pathways, microRNAs, and transcription factors involved in post-exercise recovery. Three hub genes emerged as critical regulators: TLR4, CXCL8, and CCL5, which modulate the immune response during the recovery phase, alongside significant activation of ribosomal and immune-regulatory pathways. Notably, females prioritised protein synthesis and muscle recovery (evidenced by upregulated ribosomal protein genes), whilst geldings mounted a more pronounced inflammatory and stress-related response, suggesting fundamentally different physiological strategies for managing endurance exertion. These sex-specific transcriptomic signatures have important implications for tailoring training load, recovery protocols, and potentially nutritional support—female and gelding endurance horses may benefit from individualised conditioning strategies that align with their distinct molecular recovery profiles.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Sex-specific recovery protocols may optimize endurance horse performance; females may benefit from protein synthesis support while geldings require targeted inflammatory management strategies
- •Understanding differential immune gene expression between male and female endurance horses could inform personalized training load, recovery timing, and nutritional interventions
- •Geldings' heightened inflammatory response post-exercise may warrant closer monitoring for overtraining and extended recovery periods compared to mares in competitive endurance programs
Key Findings
- •TLR4, CXCL8, and CCL5 were identified as key hub genes regulating immune responses following 160 km endurance rides
- •Female horses showed upregulation of ribosomal protein genes prioritizing protein synthesis and muscle recovery post-exercise
- •Geldings exhibited significantly increased expression of inflammatory and stress-related genes compared to females after endurance exercise
- •Sex-based molecular differences exist in exercise adaptation pathways, with distinct KEGG pathway enrichments between males and females