Research suggests that changes in the concentration of selenium
in the blood may play a role in crib-biting behaviour.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, which acts as an
antioxidant in cellular interactions.
Research by Arash Omidi and colleagues at the School of
Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran found an association between
low serum selenium and crib-biting behaviour.
The study set out to find differences in blood samples taken
from crib-biting and non-crib-biting (control) horses. Researchers measured various parameters
including mineral trace elements, electrolytes, and the activity of some
enzymes and hormones.
Ten crib-biting horses were enrolled in the study. They were
housed singly in individual box stables in different premises around Shiraz. Ten
healthy sex- and age-matched horses with no history of crib-biting were used as
controls and maintained under similar housing conditions.
The research team collected blood samples from the crib-biting
horses during a crib-biting session (which lasted at least 15 minutes with no
gap greater than 2 minutes), and when the horses had not been crib-biting for
at least 30 minutes. These samples were compared with those taken from the control
horses.
Researchers found that serum Se concentration was
significantly lower in crib-biting horses than in controls. Lowest levels were seen
during crib-biting behaviour, but levels remained low compared to controls even
when the horses were not crib-biting. No other significant differences between crib-biting
horses and controls were found. Zinc (Zn) levels tended to be lower than normal
at rest in the crib-biters, but returned to normal during crib-biting behaviour.
The research is published in the Journal of Veterinary
Behavior. The authors conclude that alterations in serum levels of the essential
trace element selenium, may play a role in the pathophysiology of crib-biting
behaviour in horses.
They suggest “Further research should now investigate the
functional significance of these alterations, perhaps by studying the effects
on crib-biting of dietary supplements of Se and Zn.”
For more details, see:
Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2018) 23,
10-14
Potential role for selenium in the
pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses
Arash Omidi, Reza Jafari, Saeed Nazifi, Matthew
O.Parker
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