›› 2015, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (8): 2104-2108.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2015.08.026

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Effect of Fasting and Water Deprivation on Biochemical Indexes and Stress-related Hormones in Yili Horses

ZHANG Bo-wei, ZHAO Hong-qiong, ZHOU Yu-dong, ZHANG Dan, TAO Wan-chun, WANG Li-fang, Kalibixiati·Aimulajiang, WANG Lei-gang, YAN Shu-ping, YAO Gang   

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
  • Received:2015-02-10 Online:2015-08-20 Published:2015-08-27

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of both fasting and water deprivation stress on horses.Eight adult Yili gelding were used with a incomplete Latin square design.The animals were divided into fasting and water deprived for 49 h group (feed and water deprivation group, FW group) and normal feeding group (control group).The changes of basic vital signs, blood biochemistry indexes and stress-related hormones indicators were monitored during experiment from horses.The results showed that heart rate of FW group at 12 to 48 h were significantly lower than the control group (P< 0.05), breathing rate at 48 and 49 h were significantly lower than the control group (P< 0.05), blood glucose concentration at 18, 24 and 36 h were significantly lower than the control group (P< 0.05), plasma cortisol level at 18, 30 and 36 h were significantly higher than the control group (P< 0.05), plasma antidiuretic hormone level at 48 and 49 h were significantly higher than the control group (P< 0.05).There were no significant differences in other parameters between two groups (P> 0.05).The results suggested that horses could maintain basic life activities by reducing cardiovascular activity and body energy consumption, and improving the stress ability in the condition of fasting and water deprivation.

Key words: fasting; water deprivation; horse; heart rate; cortisol; antidiuretic hormone; blood glucose

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