Age- and gender-related variations in hematology, clinical biochemistry, and hormones in Spanish fillies and colts.
Abstract: In order to assess which laboratorial parameters need specific age- and/or gender-related reference values, hematological and biochemical profiles (including hormones) were performed in 205 Spanish foals of 5 groups: A (1-2 months; 20 fillies, 10 colts), B (2-3 months; 24 fillies, 18 colts), C (3-6 months; 25 fillies, 16 colts), D (6-9 months; 20 fillies, 23 colts) and E (9-12 months; 25 fillies, 15 colts). Additionally, 120 adult horses were sampled in order to establish baseline data for this breed in our laboratory. Group E had lower red blood cell number and mean cell volume than B, C and D, and neutrophil count was lower in A. Albumin was lower in A than in D, lactate was higher in B, C and D, CK, AST and K were higher in C. In D and E, cortisol was lower and adrenaline was higher. Urea progressively increases, whereas ALP decreases with age. Packed cell volume was higher in fillies of group A, creatinine was higher in colts of group E and fillies of groups B, C, and D had higher aldosterone than colts. In comparison to Spanish adult horses, mean cell volume, albumin, urea, CK, AST, LDH, and ALP requires specific ranges for foals.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-01-09 PubMed ID: 22230595DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.11.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study examines how hematological and biochemical profiles, including hormones, differ in Spanish fillies and colts based on age and gender. The findings show that some of these parameters require different reference values for foals compared to adult horses.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted on 205 Spanish foals divided into five age groups: A (1-2 months; 20 fillies, 10 colts), B (2-3 months; 24 fillies, 18 colts), C (3-6 months; 25 fillies, 16 colts), D (6-9 months; 20 fillies, 23 colts), and E (9-12 months; 25 fillies, 15 colts).
- Additionally, 120 adult Spanish horses were included in the study for comparison and to establish base metrics for this breed.
Key Findings
- Group E had a lower number of red blood cells and mean cell volume compared to groups B, C, and D. Fillies of group A showed higher packed cell volume.
- Neutrophil count – a type of white blood cell – was lower in group A.
- Albumin – a protein that regulates blood volume – levels were lower in foals from group A compared to group D.
- Group C showed higher levels of biochemical markers like creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and potassium (K), which are associated with muscle damage and electrolyte balance.
- B, C, and D groups had higher lactate levels, a product of anaerobic metabolism.
- Cortisol – a stress hormone – was found in lower levels in groups D and E, whereas adrenaline levels were higher in these groups.
- Urea, a waste product eliminated by the kidneys, increased with age, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a liver enzyme, decreased with age.
- Creatinine – another waste product filtered from blood by kidneys – was higher in colts of group E and fillies from groups B, C, and D.
- Groups B, C, and D fillies had higher aldosterone – a hormone that regulates salt and water balance – than colts.
Implications
- The results carrying implications for veterinarians and researchers considering breed-specific laboratory ranges for fillies and colts.
- When compared to adult horses, foals require different reference ranges for several parameters including mean cell volume, albumin, urea, CK, AST, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ALP.
Cite This Article
APA
Muñoz A, Riber C, Trigo P, Castejón F.
(2012).
Age- and gender-related variations in hematology, clinical biochemistry, and hormones in Spanish fillies and colts.
Res Vet Sci, 93(2), 943-949.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.11.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Equine Sport Medicine Center, CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Spain. pv1mujua@uco.es
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Female
- Hormones / blood
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Sex Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Soroko-Dubrovina M, Górniak W, Zielińska P, Górniak A, Čebulj-Kadunc N, Korczyński M. Evaluation of Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes) Supplementation on the Blood Parameters of Young Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 19;12(22).
- Ono T, Inoue Y, Hisaeda K, Yamada Y, Hata A, Miyama TS, Shibano K, Kitagawa H, Ohzawa E, Iwata E. Effect of seasons and sex on the physical, hematological, and blood biochemical parameters of Noma horses. J Equine Sci 2021 Mar;32(1):21-25.
- Vieira GS, Paludo GR, Ramos AF, Pivato I, de Oliveira RA. Fetal development and blood hematological-biochemical parameters in Campeiro and Pantaneiro foals. Anim Reprod 2018 Aug 16;15(1):39-44.
- Monteiro LC, Viana RB, Avanza MFB, Ermita PAN, Costa CM, Alves SR, Santos PVM, da Silva MO, Balbino DAB, de Mattos FS, Teixeira RBC, Ribeiro Filho JD. Effects of Hypotonic and Isotonic Enteral Electrolyte Solutions Administered in Continuous Flow in Weaned Foals. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:280.
- Ono T, Yamada Y, Hata A, Shimokawa Miyama T, Shibano K, Iwata E, Ohzawa E, Kitagawa H. Reference values of hematological and blood biochemical parameters for the Noma horse. J Equine Sci 2019 Sep;30(3):69-73.
- Karalyan Z, Zakaryan H, Arakelova E, Aivazyan V, Tatoyan M, Kotsinyan A, Izmailyan R, Karalova E. Evidence of hemolysis in pigs infected with highly virulent African swine fever virus. Vet World 2016 Dec;9(12):1413-1419.
- Zakari FO, Ayo JO, Rekwot PI, Kawu MU. Effect of age, sex, physical activity and meteorological factors on haematological parameters of donkeys (Equus asinus). Comp Clin Path 2016;25(6):1265-1272.
- Zakari FO, Ayo JO, Rekwot PI, Kawu MU. Effects of age and season on haematological parameters of donkeys during the rainy and cold-dry seasons. Int J Biometeorol 2015 Dec;59(12):1813-24.
- Takasu M, Nagatani N, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Maeda M, Murase T, Mukoyama H. Hematological and biochemical reference values for the endangered kiso horse. J Equine Sci 2013;24(4):75-8.
- Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Velasco-Martínez MG, Barbiera G, Fazio E. Involvement of Peripheral Serotonin in Blood Cells in Healthy Cyclical Mares of Different Ages. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 4;12(6).
- Satué K, Fazio E, Medica P, Velasco-Martinez MG, Cravana C, Bruschetta G, La Fauci D. The Pivotal Interaction Between Serotonin and Calcium Shifts in Lactating Pregnant Spanish Purebred Mares: The Aging Effect. Vet Sci 2025 Apr 23;12(5).
- Schaefer DMW, Videla R, Smith JS, Mulon PY, Flatland B, Zhu X. Hematology and clinical biochemistry reference intervals for companion pigs using the ADVIA 2120 and Cobas c501. PeerJ 2025;13:e18968.
- Orzołek A, Rafalska KT, Domosławska-Wyderska A, Rafalska AM, Dziekońska A, Jastrzębska E, Dobbek D. The effect of solarium light therapy on selected biological and biochemical parameters of peripheral blood in young and old horses. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0304290.
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