Comparison of clinical chemical variables in blood plasma and serum of horses.

The study compares various clinical blood chemical variables in serum and Na heparinized plasma samples from 45 healthy horses. It concludes that except for gamma-glutamyltransferase, beta-globulin, and magnesium, there were no significant differences between the two types of samples.

Objective of the Research

• The main aim of the research was to compare and analyze the differences between Na heparinized blood plasma and serum from a sample group of 45 healthy horses. The study wanted to see how different clinical chemical blood variables behaved in these two different mediums.

Methods and Measurements

• The researchers looked at a variety of clinical chemical variables, including aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase-isoenzymes, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, cholesterol, urea, total protein, alpha-globulin, gamma-globulin, albumin, calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), sodium (Na), and potassium (K).
• They also looked at the levels of gamma-Glutamyltransferase, beta-globulin, and magnesium.

Findings

• The study found that, aside from gamma-Glutamyltransferase, beta-globulin, and magnesium, there were no significant differences between the clinical chemical variables in Na heparinized plasma and serum samples.
• The levels of gamma-Glutamyltransferase and beta-globulin were found to be significantly higher in heparinized plasma than in serum, while the level of magnesium was lower in heparinized plasma.
• The study also noted that thoroughbreds in racing condition had significantly higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, phosphate, and magnesium, as well as lower levels of calcium and potassium, compared to riding horses. This was irrespective of the type of sample substrate used.

Conclusions

• This research concluded that gamma-Glutamyltransferase, beta-globulin, and magnesium show significant differences in their levels when analysed in Na heparinized plasma and serum sample substrates.
• However, for the rest of the studied clinical chemical variables, there were no significant differences between the two sample types.