Kristine Urschel, a postdoctoral student working under Paul Mellon Professor Ray Geor at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE Center), has been developing new techniques for measuring amino acid metabolism and carbon dioxide production in the horse.

Urschel's work is part of a larger study that will ultimately look at protein requirements and metabolism. The research will use non-hazardous stable isotopes to trace protein metabolism in the body.

This methodology will allow Urschel to assess how much of the tracer amino acid is being oxidized to carbon dioxide and subsequently exhaled, and how much is being used for protein synthesis.

"This research project represents the first time these techniques have been used in the horse to study protein metabolism," said Urschel.

When asked why the horse was wearing the mask, Urschel replied, "This is used to take breath samples to measure carbon dioxide production, which will help us measure many aspects of protein/amino acid metabolism. It allows us to study rates of protein synthesis and breakdown in an indepth manner that is not possible using other research techniques."

The current standard for assessing carbon dioxide production is a challenge for many reasons. Said Urschel, "Current standards for doing this type of research are cumbersome, expensive, difficult to get accurate measures of air flow, and requires keeping the horse more confined for long periods of time, while connected to specialized equipment."

She went on to explain that the method under development overcomes many of these disadvantages. "The equipment will be portable; thereby freeing the horse from monitoring equipment and the need to be held in stocks during the study."

Urschel's work has been supported by the Advance VT program at Virginia Tech, the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, and the estate of the late Paul Mellon.

Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center's mission is to advance the health and well-being of the horse through graduate education for equine professionals, nutritional and pasture management research, and community educational programs. Located in Middleburg, Va., the center is one of 13 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers located across the state that help serve the commonwealth's agricultural needs.

For more information Donna McDonald, dmcdo05@vt.edu or 540-687-3521 ext. 22. Visit our website at http://arecs.vaes.vt.edu/middleburg