Spring Break
Professor will draw blood from Iditarod racers
OSU researchers to test sled dogs for blood globulin levels, possible link in humans
Katie Thorn
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: News
College of Veterinary Medicine professor Erica McKenzie, in an effort to study the blood protein levels of sled dogs participating in the annual Iditarod Trail Race in Alaska, will test 100 dogs in the next week that have finished the 1,150-mile race.
The research, funded by the American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation, focuses on measuring blood globulin levels in sled dogs participating in the Iditarod.
Globulin, produced by the body, contains antibodies that protect against bacterial and viral infectious diseases.
"There are several reasons why these dogs may have low blood globulin levels," McKenzie said. "One possibility is that globulins are being used to help meet the energy demands of exercise, which would be a somewhat novel finding from the perspective of traditional exercise physiology."
The Iditarod race started March 4, 2007. McKenzie will travel to the finish line in Nome, Alaska next week for the on-the-spot data retrieval. By taking blood samples from 100 dogs, McKenzie will determine the prevalence of low blood globulin levels in dogs participating in the race.
In addition to McKenzie, Manoj Pastey, an assistant professor in veterinary medicine, is helping with the research project.
Pastey says his job will involve taking the samples McKenzie collects and measuring the globulins in the blood.
He also explained that the information gathered could later be used to relate to human conditions and further unanswered questions.
"Dogs get sick, especially because of stress," Pastey said. "Without globulins, they can't fight diseases and they could pass them onto other dogs in the race. The lower the globulins, the worse it is."
The new project stems from a previous 2004 research endeavor which featured running dogs in a simulated 500-mile race. One notable finding of the study was a significant decrease in the dog's blood globulin levels during the event.
"The phenomenon was noted," McKenzie said of her project. "But it was never further studied."
McKenzie has worked with sled dogs for the last four years, including during the last Iditarod race where she was involved in studying antibodies to specific vaccines.
"Sled dogs have comparatively low globulin levels during training, and those levels fall considerably during racing," McKenzie said in a press release. "The dogs stop using muscle glycogen after the first day, and our theory is that they tap into blood globulin as an additional energy source."
McKenzie expects this preliminary study will help define the prevalence of low blood globulin levels in racing sled dogs.
Pastey says if the study produces some interesting findings, they will apply for a bigger grant for more extensive research.
"It's important to know what's going on." Pastey said. "How do the dogs endure training? How do they run for so long? Why don't humans do that? It's a mystery, but right now we're waiting for those answers and conclusions."
The research, funded by the American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation, focuses on measuring blood globulin levels in sled dogs participating in the Iditarod.
Globulin, produced by the body, contains antibodies that protect against bacterial and viral infectious diseases.
"There are several reasons why these dogs may have low blood globulin levels," McKenzie said. "One possibility is that globulins are being used to help meet the energy demands of exercise, which would be a somewhat novel finding from the perspective of traditional exercise physiology."
The Iditarod race started March 4, 2007. McKenzie will travel to the finish line in Nome, Alaska next week for the on-the-spot data retrieval. By taking blood samples from 100 dogs, McKenzie will determine the prevalence of low blood globulin levels in dogs participating in the race.
In addition to McKenzie, Manoj Pastey, an assistant professor in veterinary medicine, is helping with the research project.
Pastey says his job will involve taking the samples McKenzie collects and measuring the globulins in the blood.
He also explained that the information gathered could later be used to relate to human conditions and further unanswered questions.
"Dogs get sick, especially because of stress," Pastey said. "Without globulins, they can't fight diseases and they could pass them onto other dogs in the race. The lower the globulins, the worse it is."
The new project stems from a previous 2004 research endeavor which featured running dogs in a simulated 500-mile race. One notable finding of the study was a significant decrease in the dog's blood globulin levels during the event.
"The phenomenon was noted," McKenzie said of her project. "But it was never further studied."
McKenzie has worked with sled dogs for the last four years, including during the last Iditarod race where she was involved in studying antibodies to specific vaccines.
"Sled dogs have comparatively low globulin levels during training, and those levels fall considerably during racing," McKenzie said in a press release. "The dogs stop using muscle glycogen after the first day, and our theory is that they tap into blood globulin as an additional energy source."
McKenzie expects this preliminary study will help define the prevalence of low blood globulin levels in racing sled dogs.
Pastey says if the study produces some interesting findings, they will apply for a bigger grant for more extensive research.
"It's important to know what's going on." Pastey said. "How do the dogs endure training? How do they run for so long? Why don't humans do that? It's a mystery, but right now we're waiting for those answers and conclusions."
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