Influence of L-Carnitine on fitness and oxidative stress parameters in Trotter Horses subjected to Laval’s test

In the last few years, in addition to grain, the high energy requirements of racehorses have been met with dietary supplements of vegetable oil, which may, however, represent an easily oxidisable substrate. Carnitine can be used to improve lipid metabolism. We evaluated the changes in performance and oxidative stress parameters measured in 4 trotters receiving a diet containing soybean oil and L-Carnitine and subjected to two Standardized Exercise Tests (SET) according to Laval’s protocol (3 hits at increasing speed) at an interval of 30 days. Blood samples were taken at rest, just after each of the three hits, and at 10, 20 and 40 min after each test to determine lactic acid, glucose, Non-Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate, Reactive Oxygen metabolites (ROMs), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). L-Carnitine influenced ROMs and SOD and resulted in a reduction in the oxidative stress parameters. Some indices of the fitness status also improved.