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| Sumita Pawar |
Antioxidants protect cell membranes throughout the body and support overall health. Specifically, antioxidants counter the effects of “reactive oxygen species,” also known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes. Free radicals increase due to environmental stressors, exercise, and inadequate antioxidant stores. As researchers continue to study antioxidants, they discover even more advantages of feeding antioxidants to horses.
One antioxidant in particular, coenzyme Q10, is an essential part of cellular bioenergetics, specifically in the production of adenosine triphosphate, a compound that provides energy to cells. In addition to its direct antioxidant and energetic properties, coenzyme Q10 can also recycle and revitalise other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C. Other important functions of coenzyme Q10 have been recognized recently, including cell signalling and gene expression.
Coenzyme Q10 is instrumental in reducing oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance in the equilibrium of antioxidants and oxidants in favour of oxidants. Oxidative stress occurs in horses involved in many exercise scenarios—from those performing high-intensity exercise (e.g., endurance, show jumping, racing) to untrained horses unaccustomed to exercise.
A study completed by Kentucky Equine Research in collaboration with Stephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D., demonstrated that Kentucky Equine Research’s nanodispersed liquid coenzyme Q10 product, Nano-Q10™, promotes oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle by increasing mitochondrial oxidative enzymes in conjunction with decreasing glycolytic enzymes.
To shed more light on the effects of vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 on exercise-induced oxidative stress in horses, European researchers designed a study using 40 healthy, untrained leisure horses.*
Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 were offered twice daily for 14 days to all horses along with their regular diet of oats, hay, and water. These horses were divided into one of four treatment groups: unsupplemented control; vitamin E-only group, receiving natural vitamin E oil at a dose of 1.8 IU/kg body weight/day; coenzyme Q10 group, receiving 800 mg/day; and a combination vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, receiving the same doses as the single supplement groups.
After the two-week supplementation period, all horses participated in moderate exercise. Blood samples were collected at four predetermined time points: (1) baseline before antioxidant supplementation, (2) 14 days after supplementation but before exercise, (3) at the end of the exercise program, and (4) 24 hours after exercise.
The blood samples were evaluated for various measures of oxidative stress. Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 levels were also assessed. The study discovered that coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E supplementation was more beneficial than supplementation alone. The levels observed in this study indicated that this combination of supplements prevented lipid peroxidation in horses not previously exposed to an exercise regimen.
Supplementation with coenzyme Q10 has also resulted in reproductive benefits. Most notably, coenzyme Q10 improves semen quality and motility in stallions. As explained by Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutrition advisor for Kentucky Equine Research, “Dietary supplements such as the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) may improve sperm quality parameters in stallions with suboptimal fertility. Coenzyme Q10 plays a role in energy production of spermatozoa and, in part, motility. Positive improvements in motility have been observed within 2 to 4 weeks after beginning supplementation.”
To conclude, supplementation of coenzyme Q10, such as Nano-Q10, is beneficial for those horses that are exercised or used for breeding frequently due to the benefits of coenzyme Q10 and its effects on oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle.
*Svete, A.N., T. Vovk, M.B. Topolovec, and P. Kruljc. 2021. Effects of vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 supplementation on oxidative stress parameters in untrained leisure horses subjected to acute moderate exercise. Antioxidants 10:908.
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Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving horse owners and the feed industry for the past thirty-five years. The company’s goals are to advance the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, apply that knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses, and support the nutritional care of all horses throughout their life.
Founded in 1988, Kentucky Equine Research boasts a unique collection of nutritionists, veterinarians, researchers, and horsemen that collaborate to investigate barriers to performance, develop solutions, and provide education to the equine industry. Results from research trials conducted at Kentucky Equine Research's research farms in Kentucky and Florida, as well as advancements in equine nutrition from institutions around the world, form the basis for continued development of innovative solutions to the health and nutritional challenges inherent in the management of the modern equine.
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As a result of research studies conducted by the company, Kentucky Equine Research developed its own line of supplements. KER Targeted Nutrition is a brand of innovative equine health and nutrition supplement products developed for horses with special nutritional needs. Backed by science and preferred by veterinarians, KER Targeted Nutrition products are designed with one goal in mind: to optimize the health of horses.
The KER Targeted Nutrition range of products addresses commonplace conditions like joint health and antioxidant support as well as complex conditions like myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) and gastric ulcers. KER’s product line also includes three feed products designed for horses with specific nutritional needs such as horses requiring a low starch diet and performance horses. The company is dedicated to continuing to researching new ingredients and developing products that help address new equine health conditions and improve horse wellness.
Kentucky Equine Research also helps feed manufacturers formulate nutritionally balanced, state-of-the-art feeds for horses in all life stages, disciplines, and areas of the world, using the most up-to-date research findings.
Through its Balance Partner program, Kentucky Equine Research helps feed manufacturers utilize appropriate levels of KER micronutrient ingredients in their feed products. These micronutrients are designed to deliver the optimal amount and proper balance of critical vitamins and minerals to each class of horse for breeding, growth, performance, and overall health. When used as directed, horse feeds containing KER micronutrient blends will deliver the nutrients horses need to complement the forage portion of the diet.
Kentucky Equine Research creates tailored support packages to assist Balance Partners in increasing sales of their products. This program may address formulation, ingredient sourcing, quality control, manufacturing best practices, regulatory assistance, marketing support, or other applications of Kentucky Equine Research’s unique expertise.
Kentucky Equine Research also has developed specialty tools and applications to help guide customer’s decision making. Our Microsteed™ application helps feed partners answer ration formulation questions for their customers, and our revolutionary program Gro-Trac® has provided new knowledge for the industry when it comes to feeding for optimal growth and development.
Learn more about Kentucky Equine Research products and services at ker.com.