Effects of Repeated Atropine Injection on Heart Rate Variability in Thoroughbred Horses

Abstract

To investigate the effects of repeated atropine injection on heart rate (HR) variability in resting Thoroughbred horses, two μg/kg of atropine as parasympathetic nervous blockade was injected intravenously every 6 min to a total of 8 μg/kg after intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg of propranolol as sympathetic nervous blockade. We recorded electrocardiograms and obtained the HR, then evaluated variation in HR from the power spectrum in terms of low frequency (LF, 0.01-0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF, 0.07-0.6 Hz) power. Administration of atropine decreased parasympathetic nervous activity in a dose-dependent manner, affecting first the LF power, then the HF power and finally HR. These responses may provide valuable information for evaluating autonomic nervous activity in Thoroughbred horses.