EVALUATION OF JOINT SYNOVIAL FLUID OF DEVELOPING FOALS SUPPLEMENTED WITH COLLAGEN

• Grant number: 24/08312-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Augusto de Oliveira Gobesso
• Grantee: Beatriz Cavinatto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of including hydrolyzed collagen in the diet of developing foals on joint health parameters. Twenty crossbred Brazilian Show Jumping foals will be used, comprising 10 males and 10 females, with an approximate age of seven months and a body weight of 250±30 kg. The equivalent of 2.5% of the weight on a dry matter basis will be offered, with 1.25% concentrate and 1.25% forage, characterizing a forage/concentrate ratio of 50:50, following NRC 2007 recommendations to meet the nutritional requirements of the category. Water and mineral salt will be provided ad libitum. The experimental design used will be completely randomized. The treatments will consist of: 1) Placebo; 2) Supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen. There will be 10 individuals per treatment. For supplemented animals, 50g/animal/day of collagen will be provided, divided into two feeding times, over the concentrate (topdress) at the time of feeding, for 180 days. Synovial fluid will be evaluated for joint health biomarkers such as prostaglandin (PGE2) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG). The aim is to contribute to the knowledge of collagen supplementation for horses, both in terms of ingestion quantity and possible joint effects, and to contribute to the possible clinical findings of the studied breed.