Plasma serotonin, tryptophan, hematological, and functional responses to horse trekking

Horse trekking is a noncompetitive physical activity conducted as a recreation and leisure experience, but so far potential effects on physiological changes in horses have not been investigated. The aim of the present research was to study whether trekking would affect plasma serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) concentrations in platelet poor plasma samples, together with its precursor tryptophan, and other hematological and functional variables. The study was carried out on 28 clinically healthy horses, habitually used for trekking, of which 18 participated in a 2-day trekking event, and 10 were used as the control group. The results obtained showed a significant effect of exercise on the serotonin, red blood cell, white blood cell, platelet, hematocrit, hemoglobin, heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature changes. These effects are probably related to a combination of submaximal exercise and some degree of dehydration. Prolonged and aerobic exercise, like that involved in trekking, could affect both the release of 5-HT from the stores in the blood stream as well as hematological and functional adaptations in response to physical effort. Moreover, results confirm a physiological influence of 5-HT in the regulation of the vascular system, induced by exercise. The present findings imply that assessment of plasma 5-HT as well as hematological and functional variables may be proposed as an additional tool to evaluate the physiological adjustment in response to physical activity in trained horses that may influence their performance.