Topic:Blood Analysis
Blood analysis in horses involves the examination of blood samples to assess various physiological and pathological conditions. This process provides insights into the health status of horses by evaluating components such as red and white blood cells, platelets, and various biochemical parameters. Blood analysis can help identify infections, anemia, metabolic disorders, and other health issues. Common tests include complete blood counts (CBC) and blood chemistry panels, which measure electrolytes, enzymes, and other substances. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, findings, and implications of blood analysis in equine veterinary medicine.
Haematology of the racing Thoroughbred in Australia 2: haematological values compared to performance. Eight hundred and sixteen blood samples were collected from Thoroughbred racehorses at the race track, 1 to 3 h before racing, and subjected to routine haematological examination. Attempts were made to correlate the haemogram with subsequent performance. Races were classified according to age, class and distance, and performances were grouped according to distance from the winner. Intra- and interclass comparisons were made but no relationship emerged between racing performance and the haemogram. The haemograms of individual horses on different occasions were compared with subsequent performan...
Haematology of the racing Thoroughbred in Australia 1: reference values and the effect of excitement. Eight hundred and sixteen blood samples were collected from horses at Sydney race tracks, 1 to 3 h before racing, and subjected to haematological analysis. Haemograms were also performed on 65 blood samples taken from horses at rest in their stalls. These were used as reference values of prerace and resting haemograms, respectively. The haemograms of 29 of the resting horses were compared with the haemograms of the same 29 horses the following day at the race track. Both samples were considered to be representative of their reference populations. In general, there was a significant increase fr...
Pre-race testing and its role in equine medication control. In general, blood is the only material on which a practical pre-race testing scheme can be based. Blood testing is not as sensitive as urine testing and detects only about 66 per cent of the drugs detectable in urine. Therefore, pre-race blood testing is always performed in conjunction with post race urine testing. Because blood is easily and rapidly drawn, the use of blood samples in all post race testing schemes is recommended. Pre-race testing is also a relatively expensive proposition, but it is the only method which actually prevents the running of an illegally medicated horse.
Inheritance of an abnormal haemoglobin haplotype in horses and its possible influence on blood values. In a breeding experiment a stallion of the native Norwegian Trotter breed with an abnormal Hb haplotype (N) and with the Hb type BI/N, sired 6 offspring. The abnormal haplotype controls one α-chain only, having lysine at position 60 and phenylalanine at position 24. Three of the offspring received the N haplotype from the sire and the BII haplotype from the dam, whereas the other 3 offspring received BI from the sire. The BII/N horses have two Hb components after alkaline electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing with the ratio between the fast and the slow band (anodal, cathodal) being approxi...
Serum concentrations of penicillin in the horse after administration of a variety of penicillin preparations. Twelve geldings were used to evaluate serum levels of penicillin following the intravenous (iv) and intramuscular (im) injection of benzylpenicillin, im procaine penicillin and im fortified benzathine penicillin, at a variety of dose rates. Blood samples were collected up to 7 h after iv and im benzylpenicillin, up to benzathine penicillin. Results were analysed using an analysis of variance and regression analyses were used to calculate the time taken for the serum penicillin concentration to decline to 0.5 micrograms/ml. As a result of the experiments the following dosage regimes could be re...
Short-term mode of secretion of equine chorionic gonadotrop in and the effect of GNRH. Five mature Quarterhorse mares were bled every 30 min for 25 h on day 50 of pregnancy to determine the short-term mode of secretion of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Three other mares with persistent endometrial cups after abortion were administered gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 1.0 mug/kg of body weight) and were bled immediately prior to and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after GnRH. Concentrations of eCG in plasma of pregnant mares were constant over the 24-h period; the variation of each mare's individual values was no greater (P>.05) than the predicted random...
Changes in circulating gut hormones in the horse during long distance exercise. Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after an 80 km ride and a 42 km race. They were analysed for blood glucose and lactate, and for plasma non-esterified fatty acids, insulin, pancreatic glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin, gastric inhibitory peptide, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations. The 80 km ride was associated with marked hypoglycaemia and a slight lactic acidaemia together with an increase in plasma glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide values. The 42 km race produced hyperglycaemi...
Progesterone, prostaglandin F-2 alpha, PMSG and oestrone sulphate during early pregnancy in the mare. Blood samples from 4 mares during the late luteal phase, oestrus, early pregnancy and up to about 150 days of gestation were analysed for 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGFM), progesterone, PMSG and oestrone sulphate by radioimmunoassays. During the late luteal phase, at the time of corpus luteum regression and decreasing progesterone levels, PGFM peaks were recorded. During early pregnancy (i.e. from mating and up to about Day 30) no such peaks were detected. After mating the progesterone levels increased and remained high throughout the observation period. During the oestrous ...
Procedure for granulokinetic studies in the horse with chromium-51. A procedure with chromium-51 (51Cr) as the cell label that maintains high-cell viability for studying granulocyte kinetics in horses is described. The procedure combines and modifies several methods for isolating leukocytes and granulocytes for use in the horse when a large volume of labeled cells is required. Also described is an improved technique for measuring granulocyte specific activity in large serial blood samples, using a Ficoll-sedimentation method. The procedure should be useful for determining granulocyte kinetics in the horse, the only major domestic species for which such data ar...
Method for the automation of equine differential leucocyte counts. A technique for automating equine differential leucocyte counts by analysis of volume distribution curves using the Coulter Channelyzer has been developed and evaluated. A comparison between the results obtained by this method and standard microscopic techniques showed good agreement in most cases. Blood samples can be analysed for both differential and total leucocyte counts at a rate of 25/h. For each sample an average 16,000 leucocytes are classified by the Channelyzer. The method of volume analysis is suitable for the precise counting of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosin...
[Circadian variations in the content of plasma constituants in the brood mare]. Twenty-one circadian blood sample profiles were made in heavy brood mares during pregnancy, lactation or the dry, non-pregnant period. The mares were fed forage-rich diets containing different levels of energy and nitrogen (table 1). Each profile consisted of 7 samples taken at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m., 11 p.m., 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. The animals were fed at 8:30 a.m. The eleven plasma components evaluated were glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetate, alanine, insulin (energy metabolites), urea, total protein (nitrogen metabolites), calcium, inorganic phosphorus an...
In vivo metabolism of [3H]equilin in the pregnant mare. [3H]Equilin [3H-labeled 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10), 7-estratetraen-17-one] was administered iv to a pregnant mare in the 10th month of gestation. Maternal urine was collected for 3 days, and blood samples were taken 35 min and 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after the injection. The half-life of the disappearance of radioactivity from the blood was approximately 2.5 h. Over 90% of the administered dose was excreted in the first 24 h. The urine was extracted, hydrolyzed, and fractionated. The bulk of the radioactive material (75%) was present in the phenolic sulfate fraction from which radiochemically pure equilin...
Influence of exercise on serum selenium and peroxide reduction system of racing Standardbreds. Blood samples were obtained from 45 racing Standardbred horses immediately before and immediately after a training jog at a commercial race track to establish reference values for serum selenium and related values of the peroxide reduction system of racing horses. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum selenium increased significantly (P < 0.001), whereas RBC-reduced glutathione decreased significantly (P < 0.01) immediately after exercise. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were not altered by exercise. Serum copper and magnesium were significantly increased (P < 0.01) after exercise...
Electrocardiography and haematology of horses competing in a three-day event. The electrocardiograms of 22 horses competing in a 3-day event were recorded before and after the event. In addition, blood samples were taken for determination of packed cell volume and total plasma protein before, during and after the speed and endurance phases (Day 2). The electrocardiograms of 13 horses showed various abnormalities before the event, most of which were T wave changes. As a result of competition in the event, there was a significant increase in the number of leads showing T wave abnormalities when the electrocardiograms taken before and after the event were compared. At all ...
Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in the horse. The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin were studied in six healthy mature horses of mixed breeding and of both sexes. A parenteral preparation of gentamicin sulfate (5% aqueous solution) was administered rapidly (IV) at the dosage level of 5 mg/kg of body weight. Venous blood samples were taken at 0 (base line), 0.083, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after gentamicin administration. Serum gentamicin was measured by a radioimmunoassay technique. The gentamicin concentration data was fitted to a one- and two-compartment open model with first-order elimination from ...
Plasma and sweat electrolyte concentrations in the horse during long distance exercise. Blood samples were taken from 20 horses competing in a 100 km endurance ride and plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and protein measured. Measurements were performed on samples taken before the ride (pre-ride), at the mid point and end of the ride and after a 30 min recovery period (post-ride). Sweat samples were collected from 6 horses competing in the endurance ride and 14 horses competing in a 3-day event competition and sweat concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride measured. There were substantial decreases in plasma electrolyte concentrations, which...
Hematology and biochemistry reference values for the light horse. Reference hematology and biochemistry intervals are presented for a number of variables of clinical interest determined for blood samples obtained from 60 thoroughbred mares, 12 thoroughbred foals and 50 standardbred horses in training. The observations for each variable were examined for outliers and Gaussian distribution. Parametric analysis was used where the observations were Gaussian initially or after any of four transformations, otherwise nonparametric analysis was required for estimation of the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Description of the sample collection procedures, laboratory method...
Colic in the horse. A clinical and clinical chemical study of 42 cases. 42 horses were examined. The physical signs with relation to circulatory insufficiency and the abdominal disease were registered following a two-phased examination procedure. Great prognostic value was found in the degree of circulatory insufficiency judged by pulse rate and character, filling of the jugular vein, skin temperature, colour of mucous membranes, capillary refill time, sweating, depression, skin turgor and degree of enophthalmus. In making a causal diagnosis the abdomen was examined for shape, tenderness, peristaltic sounds, gastric dilation by siphoning, abnormal rectal findings ...
Electrocardiography, heart scope and haematology of horses competing in an endurance ride. Thirty-one horses competing in a 100 kilometre endurance ride had electrocardiograms recorded before and after the ride from which the heart score of each horse was calculated. Blood was also taken to determine the packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein (TPP) before the ride, after 60 kilometres (mid ride) and at completion of the ride. Statistical analysis of the heart scores showed that a faster group of horses had significantly higher heart scores than either a slower group or those eliminated due to inadequate recovery of heart rate. No horses developed electrocardiogram abnorma...
Electrocardiography, Heart Score, and Hematology of Horses Competing in an Endurance Ride. Thirty-one horses competing in a 100 kilometre endurance ride had electrocardiograms recorded before and after the ride from which the heart score of each horse was calculated. Blood was also taken to determine the packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein (TPP) before the ride, after 60 kilometres (mid-ride) and at completion of the ride. Statistical analysis of the heart scores showed that a faster group of horses had significantly higher heart scores than either a slower group or those eliminated due to inadequate recovery of heart rate. No horses developed electrocardiogram abnorma...
Serum levels of progesterone, 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone and hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnanones in the prepartum and postpartum equine. Blood samples were collected from eight mares for ten days before and two days following parturition. Progesterone, 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone and hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnanones were extracted from serum, separated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and quantitated by radioimmunoassay. Progesterone levels ranged from 8.5 to 4.1 ng/ml among mares with normal parturition and decreased to 1.2 ng/ml after parturition. One mare with a retained placenta maintained the prepartal levels of progesterone into the postpartum period. 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone increased to a level of 133 ng/ml at 80 h...
Episodic LH secretion patterns in the mare during the oestrous cycle. Jugular blood samples were obtained from 8 mares at 5- and/or 20-min intervals for 2 to 5 days during various phases of the oestrous cycle for plasma LH determination. An episodic release pattern was observed in 1 of 3 mares sampled during the ovulatory period. One mare had one secretory burst and the other mare had several periods of fluctuating plasma LH concentration. During dioestrus, episodic secretions were observed in 2 mares sampled 11 to 13 days before and, in 1 mare, 9 days after ovulation. During the 2 to 5-day period before ovulation, episodic secretion was not observed (3 mares) b...
Biochemical changes in horses during a 50-mile endurance ride. Blood samples were taken from 15 horses before and after a 50-mile ride to examine the changes occurring in some biochemical constituents. There was a significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in plasma potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations and a rise in inorganic phosphate but there was no alteration in plasma sodium, chloride or protein levels or change in haematocrit. After the ride there was a highly significant (P less than 0.01) fall in blood glucose corresponding with increased lipolysis and a rise in plasma free fatty acids (P less than 0.001) and glycerol (P less than 0.001). ...