Assessment of equine alpha-fetoprotein levels in mares and newborn foals in the periparturient period.

The research article focuses on the investigation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in mares and newborn foals during their delivery period, known as the periparturient period. The study relates the time until foaling, age of mare, and season to the levels of AFP.

Background

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a fetal protein present in the sera of various mammalian species.
• In human obstetrics, an abnormal AFP level is associated with fetal anomalies.
• In horses, previous studies indicated variable AFP levels in different groups of mares undergoing pregnancy-related issues such as twins, conception failure, placentitis, and embryonic loss.

Study Design and Procedure

• The study’s focus is an assessment conducted on the peri- and intrapartal AFP levels in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, neonatal blood, and umbilical blood samples.
• The sample size consists of healthy and aborted mares.

Findings

• The study found the mean AFP levels in umbilical blood and amniotic fluid samples to be lower compared to that in foal and maternal blood.
• Mares’ age significantly influenced AFP levels, with older mares showing lower AFP levels.
• The time until foaling exerted a non-linear influence on AFP levels, with a noticeable increase in the last two weeks of pregnancy, which then decreased post-foaling.
• Hot summer months were associated with heightened levels of AFP.
• Significant individual variation in AFP levels was observed among the studied population.

Implications

• The result can potentially help identify normal and abnormal AFP levels in horses during the late-stage of pregnancy and the birthing process.
• It might serve as a guide to further research into how factors such as mare’s age and season may impact the health of foals and mares