Analysis of post mortem aqueous humour chemistry in the horse, with particular reference to urea nitrogen and creatinine.

This research compares chemical values between the post-mortem and ante-mortem periods in horses, particularly focusing on urea nitrogen and creatinine. The study found that post mortem levels of these two constituents in the aqueous humour, a part of the eye, can accurately predict their levels from before the horse’s death.

Objective of the Study

• The main purpose of the study was to analyze and compare the concentrations of various chemical constituents in the aqueous humour of horses after death with their serum (part of the blood) chemical values before death. The clear focus of the investigation was on urea nitrogen and creatinine levels.

Key Findings

• The study found that levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine in the aqueous humour after death served as effective predictors of these constituents’ levels in the serum prior to death.
• Specifically, urea nitrogen levels in the aqueous humour only slightly increased while creatinine levels remained largely unaltered for up to 24 hours following death.
• Mathematical formulae were created to estimate pre-death serum levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine based on post-mortem aqueous humour values.

Significance of the Study

• This research is of significant value because it identified exact chemical constituents in normal horses that accurately predict their serum values before death.
• The analysis of post-mortem aqueous humour levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine could help in determining the functionality of ambiguous histological lesions in the kidney. Histological lesions are areas of tissue that have been damaged through disease. Therefore, these findings may assist in diagnosing and understanding certain kidney conditions in horses.