EN
The study included 114 clinically healthy horses representing different groups: breeding horses (27), recreation horses (22), and sport horses (65). The group of sport horses consisted of racehorses (11), trotters (15), jumping horses (25), and driving horses (14). The peripheral blood samples collected three times: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 30-min rest were examined for the activity of oxygen metabolism of neutrophils using chemiluminescence (CL). The study demonstrated a temporary post-exercise intensification of free radical processes in sport horses. The intensity of this reaction depended on the intensity and duration of the exercise workload, which was confirmed by the changes in the heart rate and breathing. The analysis of the results of pre-exercise examination demonstrated clearly higher CL values of neutrophils in horses trained regularly and intensively than in animals of small physical activity. This result proves a positive influence of regular training on oxygen-dependent bactericidal activity of neutrophils.