Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on some haematological parameters like red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb), haematocrit (Hct), white blood cells (WBC), Neutrophils (Neu) and Lymphocytes (Lym) that may have a direct effect on the performance of athletic horses. Ten regularly trained Standardbred horses (6 geldings and 4 females, 4-5 years old, mean body weight 500 ± 25 kg) were used for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group received an omega- 3 dietary supplementation every day for 30 days. No supplementation received the control group. Every 10 days, horses took part at 1660 meters harness race and blood samples were collected from each horse: one in the morning before race (pre) and one after race (post). The application of one way analysis of variance for repeated mesures (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant difference due to the race in the two different groups. The results obtained in the present study show a discordant effect of supplementation with omega 3 on RBC, HCT and Hgb , while omega-3 supplementation have been shown to have a better effect on WBC , Neu and Lym, but further studies should be performed to better evaluate the benefits of these on the performance of the athletic horse.
(2015). Monteverde V., Congiu F., Vazzana I., Dara S., Guttadauro S., Di Pietro S., Giannetto C., Piccione G. (2015). Influence of Omega-3 in Standardbred horse: haematological parameters, Annals of Animal Science, DOI: 10.1515/aoas-2015-0044
