Evaluation of Collagen Supplements to Reduce the Occurrence of Orthopedic Injuries in Trained Foals

Angelo Mateus Campos de Araújo Júnior; Alisson Herculano da Silva; Juliana Galvão Müller Arantes; Raquel Pereira Buroxid; Ana Lucia Miluzzi Yamada; Luiz Antonio Jorge de  Moraes Filho; Rafael Resende Faleiros; Alexandre Augusto de Oliveira Gobesso

doi:10.64292/ijes.168

Authors

Angelo Mateus Campos de Araújo Júnior Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Production, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13425-000, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1312-9511
Alisson Herculano da Silva Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Production, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13425-000, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5943-0636
Juliana Galvão Müller Arantes Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Production, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13425-000, Brazil
Raquel Pereira Buroxid Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Production, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13425-000, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4483-2215
Ana Lucia Miluzzi Yamada Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-220, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3856-0196
Luiz Antonio Jorge de Moraes Filho Department of Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Imaging, Paulínia University Center, Paulínia, São Paulo, 13140-031, Brazil
Rafael Resende Faleiros Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2747-5535
Alexandre Augusto de Oliveira Gobesso Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Production, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13425-000, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7150-0705

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64292/ijes.168

Keywords:

Foal breeding, glycosaminoglycan, joint, osteoarthritis, prostaglandin E2, training program

Abstract

Hydrolyzed collagen is a popular supplement for equine joint health due to its potential role in cartilage metabolism and tissue repair. However, scientific validation of its efficacy remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation in the diet of trained foals on the occurrence of orthopedic injuries and joint changes. Twenty Mangalarga Marchador foals were used and randomly allocated to either a collagen supplementation group (50 g/day for 180 days) or a control group. During this period, the foals were exercised five consecutive days per week. Every 36 days, the hock region was evaluated by radiography and ultrasonography. The concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the articular synovial fluid were also measured. For imaging parameters, the data were analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests. For synovial fluid parameters, the data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared using Tukey's test, with a significance level set to 0.05. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in radiographic, ultrasonographic, and synovial fluid parameters, indicating reduced inflammation and joint degeneration in the supplemented group. It is concluded that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation reduced inflammation and joint degeneration in trained foals without altering joint homeostasis. The significance of this finding is substantial, as it proposes a nutritional strategy to prevent joint disorders while reducing reliance on invasive interventions. However, further research involving extended follow-up and varied supplementation protocols is critical to confirm the sustainability of these outcomes and validate the long-term efficacy of this approach.

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