Bioquímica sérica e leucometria de equinos mangalarga marchador suplementados com cromo e submetidos à prova de marcha

Abstract

Chromium in the diet of Mangalarga Marchador horses can increase their energy metabolism, improving their athletic performance and reducing stress. The effect of chromium supplementation on serum biochemistry and leukocyte count of Mangalarga Marchador horses submitted to training for marching competitions was assessed. 12 Mangalarga Marchador mares were used in a completely randomized experimental design consisting of three treatments – 0, 5 ,and 10 mg/day of chromium-methionine – and four replicates per treatment. The research was divided into two stages: first a 24-day phase for adaptation to the diet, and a six-day stage when the animals were submitted to three marching tests, lasting 50 minutes each, on alternate days. The plasma levels of glucose and lactate, serum levels of triglycerol, insulin, and cortisol, and white blood cell count were evaluated. There was no difference (P>0.05) among treatments in any of the parameters evaluated. After exercise, levels of lactate, insulin, and cortisol and white blood cell count increased (P<0.05). The supplementation with chromium in Mangalarga Marchador horses did not alter the predominant pathway for energy generation, the exercise-induced stress, and the immune response of animalsduring marching tests.