Date of Award
12-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Legacy Department
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Committee Chair/Advisor
Vernon, Kristine
Committee Member
Coverdale , Josie
Committee Member
Jenkins , Thomas
Committee Member
Sharp , Julia
Abstract
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces inflammation via the inhibition of cyclooxygenase II , thus reducing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Conjugated linoleic acid has a suggested osteoclast-suppressive role in bone remodeling and osteoarthritis, which are dependent on bone resorptive stimulator PGE2. Bone resorption marker, deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and bone formation marker, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), have been modulated by CLA supplementation in other species. Recent research in equine exercise physiology investigated dietary supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids as a possible prevention and treatment for osteoarthritis, but CLA supplementation has putative effects on skeletal function or inflammation in horses has not been reported. Our objective was to determine the effects of CLA supplementation on PGE2 in synovial fluid, BAP and DPD in serum, stride length and fetlock flexion and extension at the walk and trot, and body condition in healthy horses at maintenance.
In a crossover study, 12 mares were blocked by breed, age, and body condition score (BCS) and separated into 2 treatment groups (n = 6/group). Groups were subjected to CLA and corn oil (CO) as an isocaloric control for 6 weeks (wk) separated by a 4-wk period during which treatment was withheld. Corn oil or CLA supplement (mixed isomers; source contained 55% CLA isomers) were incorporated into maintenance-level diets at 0.01% body weight (BW) per d over a six week period. Mares were fed individually and were restricted to dry lots to quantify forage intake. Synovial fluid, blood, rump fat thickness (RFT), BW and BCS were sampled before (d 0) and after (d42) of each feeding period. Walk and trot stride length and fetlock range of motion were assessed on d 0 and d 42 of feeding period 1 only. Immunoassay kits were used to quantify BAP and DPD in serum and PGE2 in synovial fluid.
There were no observed differences in BW, RFT or BCS between the CLA and CO groups. While plasma CLA concentrations were higher in horses fed CLA compared to controls (P < 0.001), synovial fluid PGE2, serum BAP and serum DPD did not differ with treatment. Additionally, stride length and fetlock extension were not different at the walk or trot between treatments, nor was fetlock flexion at the walk.
Despite absorption and incorporation of CLA into plasma, mares did not experience treatment effects on biochemical markers of joint inflammation, bone metabolism or kinematic performance. Examining the effects of CLA supplementation on horses at varying levels of growth, exercise, and progression of osteoarthritis may reveal more effects as to its potential benefits in the horse. Rate of dietary CLA incorporation, duration of supplementation, and isolated isomer studies may improve our understanding of these fatty acids in the equine diet.
Recommended Citation
Headley, Shannon, "Effects of dietary supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid in horses" (2011). All Theses. 1223.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/1223