Early Evidence of the Anticipatory Response of Plasma Catecholamine in Equine Exercise

Catecholamines seem to play a role in equine exercise physiology that is somewhat different from their role in human beings. In sport horses, a greater increase in plasma adrenaline (ADR) levels occurs in response to strenuous exercise as compared with human beings. However, it is not known whether this is true for breeds not specifically bred for sport. The aim of this study was to gather data on plasma catecholamine kinetics during exercise in a nonracing breed. We also attempted to evaluate the influence of the phases preceding the start of the exercise on the kinetics of these molecules. Four 2-year-old female Esperia ponies were made to perform a four-step exercise test on a treadmill. Blood samples were collected in the box (basal 1), in the treadmill room (basal 2), and at the conclusion of each step, using an automatic system. ADR and noradrenaline (NOR) levels were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Student–Newman–Keuls test. As compared with basal 1, basal 2 showed a significant 19.6-fold increase for ADR and a 6.7-fold increase for NOR. The highest concentration was observed for both molecules at the end of the fourth step, with a significant 1.2-fold increase as compared with blood samples collected at basal 2 for ADR and a 2.4-fold increase for NOR. Therefore, in Esperia ponies, catecholamine showed a trend similar to that of Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. The results reported in this study also revealed a marked increase in ADR in the phases preceding the beginning of physical activity. Therefore, the greater adrenergic activity in horses in response to exercise could be because of an anticipatory response.