Assessment of Serum Heat Shock Protein (HSP70) and Cortisol Concentration Change in Horses before and after an Acute Exercise

This study was conducted to secure basic data for improving the welfare of domestic breeding horses by measuring the accumulation of heart rate and lactic acid before and after exercise and measuring the concentration of Cortisol and HSP70 as indicators for horse stress. For three sessions before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 min after exercise, 15 Thoroughbred racing horses and 15 riding horses in domestic breeding were designated, and lactate was measured in plasma using a poly equine health check Polar H10 heart rate meter. In addition, the concentrations of HSP70 and Cortisol, which can be taken as values of stress in three sessions, were analyzed. The levels of HSP70 were measured as 29.43±5.72pg/mL before exercise, 89.74±23.02pg/mL after exercise, 32.19±6.57pg/mL after 30 min of exercise, 41.25±8.26pg/mL before exercise, and 114.02±29pg/mL after exercise (pg/mL) after exercise. Cortisol concentrations were found to be 3.38±1.2µg/dL before exercise, 5.11±1.16µg/dL immediately after exercise, 5.58±2.15µg/dL after 30 min of exercise, 6.61±2.04µg/dL before exercise, 8.47±2.55µg/dL immediately after exercise, and 30 min after exercise. Hematology chemistry in riding horse and racing horses had some differences by items, but there was no significant difference overall. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that racing horses have higher stress from strong exercise compared to riding horses, and plans to use it to promote the welfare of domestic horses in the future.