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Bou T, Ding W, Ren X, Liu H, Gong W, Jia Z, Zhang X, Dugarjaviin M, Bai D. Muscle fibre transition and transcriptional changes of horse skeletal muscles during traditional Mongolian endurance training. Equine Vet J 2024; 56:178-192. [PMID: 37345447 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional Mongolian endurance training is an effective way to improve the athletic ability of the horse for endurance events and is widely used. This incorporates aerobic exercise and intermittent fasting and these altered physiologic conditions are associated with switches between muscle fibre types. OBJECTIVES To better understand the adaption of horse skeletal muscle to traditional Mongolian endurance training from muscle fibre characteristics and transcriptional levels and to explore possible molecular mechanisms associated with the endurance performance of horses. STUDY DESIGN Before-after study. METHODS Muscle fibre type switches and muscle transcriptome changes in six Mongolian horses were assessed during 4 weeks of training. Transcriptomic and histochemical analyses were performed. The activities of oxidative and glycolytic metabolic enzymes were analysed and we generated deep RNA-sequencing data relating to skeletal muscles. RESULTS A fast-to-slow muscle fibre transition occurred in horse skeletal muscles, with a concomitant increase of oxidative enzyme activity and decreased glycolytic enzyme activity. Numerous differentially expressed genes were involved in the control of muscle protein balance and degradation. Differential alternative splicing events were also found during training which included exon-skipping events in Ttn that were associated with muscle atrophy. Differentially expressed noncoding RNAs showed connections with muscle protein balance-related pathways and fibre type specification via the post-transcriptional regulation of miRNA. MAIN LIMITATIONS The study focuses on horse athletic ability only from the aspect of muscular adaptation. CONCLUSION Traditional Mongolian endurance training-induced muscle fibre transition and metabolic and transcriptional changes. Muscle-specific non-coding RNAs could contribute to these transcriptomic changes during training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugeqin Bou
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Wenqi Ding
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiujuan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Huiying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Wendian Gong
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zijie Jia
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xinzhuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Manglai Dugarjaviin
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Dongyi Bai
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction; Equus Research Center, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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Houben R, Leleu C, Fraipont A, Serteyn D, Votion DM. Determination of muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity in Standardbred racehorses as an aid to predicting exertional rhabdomyolysis. Mitochondrion 2015. [PMID: 26219220 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This prospective cohort study evaluated the potential of high-resolution respirometry applied to permeabilized muscle fibers for fitness evaluation in French Standardbred racehorses. Fitness evaluation by means of respirometric parameters did not correlate with racing performance registered over the following racing season. However, altered mitochondrial energy metabolism was associated with higher risk of developing exertional rhabdomyolysis, a common cause of exercise intolerance in racehorses. These data represent a first step towards establishing reference values for muscle OXPHOS capacity in this breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Houben
- Equine Department, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bat B41 & B42, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Audrey Fraipont
- Equine Department, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bat B41 & B42, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Didier Serteyn
- Equine Department, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bat B41 & B42, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium; Center for Oxygen Research and Development (CORD) Institute of Chemistry Bat B6a, Liège University, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Dominique-M Votion
- Equine Department, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bat B41 & B42, University of Liege, Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
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Votion DM, Gnaiger E, Lemieux H, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Serteyn D. Physical fitness and mitochondrial respiratory capacity in horse skeletal muscle. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34890. [PMID: 22529950 PMCID: PMC3329552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the animal kingdom, horses are among the most powerful aerobic athletic mammals. Determination of muscle respiratory capacity and control improves our knowledge of mitochondrial physiology in horses and high aerobic performance in general. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We applied high-resolution respirometry and multiple substrate-uncoupler-inhibitor titration protocols to study mitochondrial physiology in small (1.0-2.5 mg) permeabilized muscle fibres sampled from triceps brachii of healthy horses. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity (pmol O(2) • s(-1) • mg(-1) wet weight) with combined Complex I and II (CI+II) substrate supply (malate+glutamate+succinate) increased from 77 ± 18 in overweight horses to 103 ± 18, 122 ± 15, and 129 ± 12 in untrained, trained and competitive horses (N = 3, 8, 16, and 5, respectively). Similar to human muscle mitochondria, equine OXPHOS capacity was limited by the phosphorylation system to 0.85 ± 0.10 (N = 32) of electron transfer capacity, independent of fitness level. In 15 trained horses, OXPHOS capacity increased from 119 ± 12 to 134 ± 37 when pyruvate was included in the CI+II substrate cocktail. Relative to this maximum OXPHOS capacity, Complex I (CI)-linked OXPHOS capacities were only 50% with glutamate+malate, 64% with pyruvate+malate, and 68% with pyruvate+malate+glutamate, and ~78% with CII-linked succinate+rotenone. OXPHOS capacity with glutamate+malate increased with fitness relative to CI+II-supported ETS capacity from a flux control ratio of 0.38 to 0.40, 0.41 and 0.46 in overweight to competitive horses, whereas the CII/CI+II substrate control ratio remained constant at 0.70. Therefore, the apparent deficit of the CI- over CII-linked pathway capacity was reduced with physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The scope of mitochondrial density-dependent OXPHOS capacity and the density-independent (qualitative) increase of CI-linked respiratory capacity with increased fitness open up new perspectives of integrative and comparative mitochondrial respiratory physiology.
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Abstract
This study investigates the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform composition in the gluteus medius muscle of the Akhal-Teke horses using SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Fifteen horses aged between 1.5 and 23.5 years were used in this study and divided into three age groups: 1.5 to 4 (n = 6), 9 to 13 (n = 5) and 18.5 to 23.5 years (n = 4). The average content of the MyHC I isoform was 11.72 ± 1.07% (variation between individuals: 7.09% to 20.14%). The relative content of the MyHC IIa and IIx isoforms was subsequently 38.20 ± 1.46% (30.73% to 48.78%) and 50.07 ± 1.10% (43.8% to 56.78%) from the total MyHC. The MyHC pattern in the skeletal muscles of the Akhal-Teke horses shows that the muscles of these horses have a high capacity both for endurance and speed.
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Escribano BM, Agüera EI, Rubio MD, Santisteban R, Vivo R, Agüera S, Tovar P. Utility of the discriminant analysis to categorize untrained Spanish Pure Bred horses on the basis of biochemical and muscle variables before and after a standardized exercise test. Res Vet Sci 2011; 91:e144-8. [PMID: 21458835 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2010] [Revised: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that the information obtained from a discriminant analysis could be used to objectively discriminate horses untrained from early ages, in agreement with certain physiological characteristics. In the biopsies of 24 Spanish Pure Bred horses (1.5-3 years old) before and after a standardized exercise test (SET; 4-7 m/s with a change of velocity of 1m/s every 2 min) muscle enzymes, substrate and metabolites were determined. Also, diverse plasma and blood parameters were considered. Three pre-exercise groups (A1: six horses; A2: seven horses and A3: eleven horses) and two post-exercise groups (B1: sixteen horses; B2: eight horses) were defined from a correspondence analysis. Forward stepwise discriminant analysis selected 11 variables which differentiated the groups between each other both pre- and post-exercise. The results of the present study suggested the utility of a discriminant analysis to categorize horses in agreement with certain physiological variables. It could be used for establishing different types of training in each group by expert trainers.
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Affiliation(s)
- B M Escribano
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Section of Animal Physiology, Campus de Rabanales, Córdoba University, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
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Schröder W, Klostermann A, Distl O. Candidate genes for physical performance in the horse. Vet J 2010; 190:39-48. [PMID: 21115378 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Revised: 08/12/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Intense selection for speed, endurance or pulling power in the domestic horse (Equus caballus) has resulted in a number of adaptive changes in the phenotype required for elite athletic performance. To date, studies in humans have revealed a large number of genes involved in elite athletic performance, but studies in horses are rare. The horse genome assembly and bioinformation tools for genome analyses have been used to compare human performance genes with their equine orthologues, both to retrieve pathways for these genes and to investigate their chromosomal distribution. In this review, 28 candidate genes for equine performance are presented that have polymorphisms associated with human elite athletic performance and may have impact on athletic performance in horses. A significant accumulation of candidate genes was found on horse chromosomes 4 and 12. Genes involved in pathways for focal adhesion, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and calcium signalling were over-represented. Genome-wide association studies for athletic performance in horses may benefit from the strong conserved synteny of the chromosomal arrangement of genes in humans and horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Schröder
- Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Karlström K, Lindholm A, Collinder E, Essén-gustavsson B. Muscle fibre type composition in young and racing Swedish cold-blooded trotters. CEP 2009; 6:27. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478061509356145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Leisson K, Jaakma Ü, Seene T. Adaptation of Equine Locomotor Muscle Fiber Types to Endurance and Intensive High Speed Training. J Equine Vet Sci 2008; 28:395-401. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2008.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Crook TC, Cruickshank SE, McGowan CM, Stubbs N, Wakeling JM, Wilson AM, Payne RC. Comparative anatomy and muscle architecture of selected hind limb muscles in the Quarter Horse and Arab. J Anat 2008; 212:144-52. [PMID: 18194205 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2007.00848.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Quarter Horse (bred for acceleration) and the Arab (bred for endurance) are situated at either end of the equine athletic spectrum. Studies into the form and function of the leg muscles in human sprint and endurance runners have demonstrated that differences exist in their muscle architecture. It is not known whether similar differences exist in the horse. Six Quarter Horse and six Arab fresh hind limb cadavers were dissected to gain information on the muscle mass and architecture of the following muscles: gluteus medius; biceps femoris; semitendinosus; vastus lateralis; gastrocnemius; tibialis cranialis and extensor digitorum longus. Specifically, muscle mass, fascicle length and pennation angle were quantified and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and maximum isometric force were estimated. The hind limb muscles of the Quarter Horse were of a significantly greater mass, but had similar fascicle lengths and pennation angles when compared with those of the Arab; this resulted in the Quarter Horse hind limb muscles having greater PCSAs and hence greater isometric force potential. This study suggests that Quarter Horses as a breed inherently possess large strong hind limb muscles, with the potential to accelerate their body mass more rapidly than those of the Arab.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Crook
- Structure and Motion Lab, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
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Votion D, Navet R, Lacombe VA, Sluse F, Essén-gustavsson B, Hinchcliff KW, Rivero JL, Serteyn D, Valberg S. Muscle energetics in exercising horses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 4:105-18. [DOI: 10.1017/s1478061507853667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAn optimally functional musculoskeletal system is crucial for athletic performance and even minor perturbations can limit athletic ability. The introduction of the muscle biopsy technique in the 1970s created a window of opportunity to examine the form and function of equine skeletal muscle. Muscle histochemical and biochemical analyses have allowed characterization of the properties of equine muscle fibres and their influence on, and adaptation to, physical exertion. Analyses of exercise responses during standardized treadmill exercise and field studies have illustrated the role of cellular energetics in determining athletic suitability for specific disciplines, mechanisms of fatigue, adaptations to training and the affect of diet on metabolic responses. This article provides a review of the tools available to study muscle energetics in the horse, discusses the muscular metabolic pathways and summarizes the energetics of exercise.
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Atwood CS, Bowen RL. Metabolic clues regarding the enhanced performance of elite endurance athletes from orchiectomy-induced hormonal changes. Med Hypotheses 2007; 68:735-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2006] [Accepted: 08/16/2006] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Abstract
There are limited data on age-related changes in body composition or skeletal muscle in the horse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate any differences in muscle myosin heavy chain (MHC) and body composition associated with aging. Twenty-three young (4-8 years) and eight old (20+ years) unfit Standardbred mares were evaluated. Rump fat thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound and per cent body fat (% fat) was calculated. Needle muscle biopsies were obtained from right gluteus medius muscle. MHC composition was determined via sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three MHC isoforms were subsequently identified as type I, type IIA, and type IIX and quantified using a scanning and densometric system. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between old and young mares in fat (%) (19.0+/-6.4 vs 20.5+/-5.4), fat mass (kg) (102.3+/-39.9 vs 106.9+/-37.1), or body weight (kg) (529.4+/-34.9 vs 512.7+/-57.7). However, the old mares had significantly (p<0.05) greater lean body mass than the young mares (427.1+/-24.5 vs 405.7+/-37.9). Aged mares had significantly (p<0.05) less type I (7.8+/-2.9% vs 12.1+/-4.4%) and IIA (27.8+/-7.1% vs 36.1+/-9.5%) fibres than the young group but more type IIX (64.6+/-4.7% vs 51.8+/-11.1%). The MHC data are consistent with the age-related changes seen in other species.
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Dingboom EG, van Oudheusden H, Eizema K, Weijs WA. Changes in fibre type composition of gluteus medius and semitendinosus muscles of Dutch Warmblood foals and the effect of exercise during the first year postpartum. Equine Vet J 2002; 34:177-83. [PMID: 11902760 DOI: 10.2746/042516402776767312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In order to obtain broader insights into the equine musculoskeletal system, we studied the fibre type composition of 2 locomotory muscles in biopsies from Dutch Warmblood foals taken at 3 different ages in the first year postpartum. The muscle fibre types were determined histochemically as well as immunohistochemically. ATPase-characterised IIB fibres appear to express either IId or type lIa plus IId myosin heavy chain (MHC). A high percentage of fibres classified as IIA with ATPase expressed both fast types of MHC. The type I classification by the 2 methods matched almost completely. There was an increase with age of fibres expressing I and IIa MHC in the gluteus medius. At the same time, there was a decrease of fibres expressing IId MHC and fibres co-expressing MHC IIa and IId. MHC expression of the semitendinosus muscle did not change over time at first, but from age 22-48 weeks there was a decrease in the percentage of type IId fibres. In general, the gluteus medius contained more type I fibres but fewer type IId fibres compared to the semitendinosus. At most ages the fibre type compositions of both muscles correlated with one another. To examine the effect of exercise, one-third of the foals were given box rest, one-third received training and one-third kept at pasture during the first 22 weeks of life. The 3 exercise groups differed in their fibre type composition; however, these differences could not be attributed to the effect of exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Dingboom
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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