Occurrence evaluation of orthopedic injuries in foals supplemented with collagen

• Grant number: 23/00004-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Augusto de Oliveira Gobesso
• Grantee: Alexandre Augusto de Oliveira Gobesso
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Rafael Resende Faleiros

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of hydrolyzed collagen in the diet of fast-growing foals in development on the occurrence of orthopedic lesions, joint health parameters and zootechnical measurements. Will be used 20 foals of the Brazilian breed of Equestrian, being 10 males and 10 females, with initial age of approximately six months and initial weight of approximately 250 kg. The diet offered will be equivalent to 2.5% of the weight in dry matter, being 1.0% of concentrate and 1.5% of bulky, characterizing a voluminous/concentrated ratio of 60:40, following the recommendations of the NRC 2007 to meet the nutritional requirements of the category. Water and mineral salt will be provided ad libitum. The experimental design will be completely randomized. The treatments will consist of: 1) Placebo; 2) Supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen. Being 10 individuals per treatment. For supplemented animals, 50g/animal/day of collagen will be provided divided into two supply times, on the concentrate (topdress) at the time of feeding, for 180 days. The joint structure will be evaluated by ultrasonography and macroscopic by photographs, bone structure by radiography, evaluation of synovial fluid by biomarkers of joint health, evaluation of the degrees of claudication and developmental evaluations by zootechnical measurements, such as weight, withers height, thoracic perimeter, knee and shin, and body condition score. It is expected to contribute to the knowledge of the supply of collagen to horses, with regard to the possible joint effect; contribute to the possible clinical findings of the studied breed and whether there is the possibility of reducing the occurrence of orthopedic lesions through noninvasive methods, such as supplementation. (AU)