Institute of Animal Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chelmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland.
Microvascular Diagnostics, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
Pol J Vet Sci. 2021 Sep;24(3):393-397. doi: 10.24425/pjvs.2021.138730.
The aim of the study was to determine the utility of maximum eye temperature measured by infrared thermography (IRT) as a stress indicator compared with plasma cortisol concentration in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses. The study included thirty racehorses undergoing standard training for racing. Measurements of maximum eye temperature and blood collection for plasma cortisol concentration were carried out before training (BT), and within 5 (5AT) and 120 minutes (120AT) after the end of the each training session in three repetitions, with a monthly interval. Both parameters were elevated at 5AT compared to BT (p⟨0.001). Compared to BT, at 120AT the maximum eye temperature remained elevated (p⟨0.001) and plasma cortisol concentration decreased (p⟨0.001). The study indicated significant weak correlations (r=0.220; p⟨0.001) between both measurements at all time points. The results support the use of IRT technique to monitor the response of horses to stress, potentially improving animal management and welfare.
本研究旨在确定与血浆皮质醇浓度相比，通过红外热成像（IRT）测量的最大眼温作为应激指标的效用，该研究包括 30 匹接受赛马标准训练的赛马。在训练前（BT）、每次训练结束后 5 分钟（5AT）和 120 分钟（120AT）进行了最大眼温测量和血浆皮质醇浓度采集，每月重复一次。与 BT 相比，5AT 时两个参数均升高（p⟨0.001）。与 BT 相比，120AT 时最大眼温仍然升高（p⟨0.001），而血浆皮质醇浓度降低（p⟨0.001）。研究表明，在所有时间点，两种测量值之间存在显著的弱相关性（r=0.220；p⟨0.001）。研究结果支持使用 IRT 技术监测马对应激的反应，这可能有助于改善动物管理和福利。
