Effect of exercise on the immune response of young and old horses

David W. Horohov From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (Horohov, Folsom), and the Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231 (Dimock, Guirnalda, McKeever, Malinowski).

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Abigail Dimock From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (Horohov, Folsom), and the Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231 (Dimock, Guirnalda, McKeever, Malinowski).

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Patrick Guirnalda From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (Horohov, Folsom), and the Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231 (Dimock, Guirnalda, McKeever, Malinowski).

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Robert W. Folsom From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (Horohov, Folsom), and the Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231 (Dimock, Guirnalda, McKeever, Malinowski).

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Kenneth H. McKeever From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (Horohov, Folsom), and the Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231 (Dimock, Guirnalda, McKeever, Malinowski).

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Karyn Malinowski From the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 (Horohov, Folsom), and the Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers—The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231 (Dimock, Guirnalda, McKeever, Malinowski).

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Abstract

Objective

To compare exercise-induced immune modulation in young and older horses.

Animals

6 young and 6 aged horses that were vaccinated against equine influenza virus.

Procedure

Venous blood samples were collected for immunologic assessment before and immediately after exercise at targeted heart rates and after exercise for determination of plasma lactate and cortisol concentrations. Mononuclear cells were assayed for lymphoproliferative responses and incubated with interieukin-2 (IL-2) to induce lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Antibodies to equine influenza virus were measured.

Results

Older horses had significantly lower proliferative responses to mitogens than younger horses prior to exercise. Exercise caused a significant decrease in lymphoproliferative response of younger horses, but not of older horses. Activity of LAK cells increased slightly with exercise intensity in younger horses. Cortisol concentrations increased in both groups after exercise; younger horses had higher concentrations after exercise at heart rates of 180 and 200 beats/min than those of older horses. Plasma lactate concentrations increased with exercise intensity but there were no differences between older and younger horses. Older horses had lower antibody titers to equine influenza virus than younger horses. Exercise did not affect antibody titers.

Conclusion

Although lymphoproliferative responses and antibody titers of older horses were less than those of younger horses, older horses were more resistant to exercise-induced changes in immune function, possibly because of lower cortisol concentrations.

Clinical Relevance

Stress and aging are known to affect immune function. Older horses had reduced immune function, but were more resistant to exercise-induced immune suppression than younger horses. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:643–647)

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Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Issue:
01 May 1999
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