Lecture: Regulation of Muscle Mass in Horses

Kristine Urschel, PhD, discussed factors that regulate equine muscle protein accretion and relevant research.
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Kristine Urschel, PhD, assistant professor of equine science in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences, lectured on "Muscle Power: Regulation of Muscle Mass in Growing, Athletic, and Aging Horses" at the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Aug. 25. Her lecture covered the factors regulating muscle protein accretion in horses, and applied relevant research in humans, pigs, and rats since equine research in this area is limited.

"Exercise and dietary protein together provide a big jump in protein synthesis," Urschel said. "Exercise, amino acids, protein, and carbohydrates result in the greatest jump in protein synthesis."

Urschel said this correlation is directly relevant to horse owners because protein synthesis affects muscle growth. Muscle mass generally equates to greater power output; more muscle allows both greater generation of force and faster muscle contraction. For the equine athlete, this increase might translate into more explosive movement for cutting horses, greater jumping ability for hunters, jumpers, and eventers, increased suspension and flexion for dressage horses, and enhanced speed for racehorses.

Fueled by exercise and protein, muscle mass is the balance between the processes that synthesize and break down protein. Nutrition, age, hormones, and physical activity can all affect synthesis and breakdown

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