Breath Analysis Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry (Ims) As Diagnostic Tool In Equine Reproduction Medicine.

This study aimed to evaluate if breath analysis using Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) could replace physically demanding practices in diagnosing reproductive processes in equines. The results found a moderately strong correlation between breath analysis and levels of particular sexual hormones in the blood serum of female horses.

Research Goals

• The research sought to establish if breath analysis results could potentially replace the traditional physically intensive work in diagnosing reproductive processes in equines.
• The study aimed to determine any correlation between breath analysis results and sexual hormone levels in mares.
• IMS and statistical algorithm was used in the analysis of breath samples and blood serum samples of 25 mares.
• Correlation analysis was initially employed to establish any significant relationships, which were further reviewed through simple regression analysis.

Methods

• Conducted breath and blood serum samples tests on 25 mares alternately. Following each animal sampling, ambient air measurements were conducted.
• Used Ion Mobility Spectrometry for breath analysis where clusters of peaks representing the same volatile organic compound were studied utilizing a particular statistical algorithm.
• Undertook the sample collection over two consecutive days due to the quantity of the measures needed.
• Selected variables or pairs that displayed a significant correlation during the first round of Spearman rank correlation were further studied through simple regression analysis.

Findings

• The breath sample analysis yielded 113 clusters with peaks in at least one group (ambient air, animals).
• There were 18 clusters whose peak heights significantly correlated with the levels of at least one of the sexual hormones.
• The regression analysis returned 13 clusters with a significant correlation between peak heights and the levels of one or two hormones.
• A further check was conducted to remove any clusters influenced by the sampling day. It left four remaining peak height and hormone level pairs.

Implications

• This research indicates a link between the levels of certain sexual hormones and specific volatile compounds detected in breath analysis, suggesting that the process could be a promising diagnostic tool in equine reproductive health.
• While the correlations found are not overwhelming, they suggest there could be potential for breath analysis in the diagnosis of reproductive processes of equines.
• However, the study outlines that an optimisation and standardisation process of sampling and analyzing methods is necessary for this method to be employed as a reliable and definitive diagnosis tool in the future.