Effect of breed of horse on muscle carnosine concentration
Observational studyHorses
- Design
- Observational study
- Subjects
- 17 horses: 6 Quarter Horses, 6 Thoroughbreds, 5 Standardbreds
- Dose used in the study
- not applicable (no supplement given)
- Duration
- single biopsy sampling
- What was measured
- Carnosine concentration and fibre-type percentages (slow-twitch oxidative, fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic, fast-twitch glycolytic) in gluteus medius samples.
What the authors reported
The authors report that Quarter Horses had fewer slow-twitch oxidative fibres, more fast-twitch glycolytic fibres and the lowest share of fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibres. Mean carnosine in Quarter Horses was higher than in Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds (P<0.01). Across all breeds carnosine correlated with fast-twitch glycolytic fibre percentage (r = 0.53, P<0.05) and inversely with fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic percentage (r = -0.51, P<0.05).
Limits of this study
Five to six horses per breed. Abstract gives no carnosine concentrations or fibre percentages. The only breed comparison found; Arabians were not studied. Full text not read.
Source
PubMed 1975537 · doi:10.1016/0300-9629(90)90064-Y
Entry checked against PubMed abstract (E-utilities) on 2026-10-19. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.