Crystalline composition of equine urinary sabulous deposits.

The research article is about a scientific examination of urinary deposits in horses, identifying their composition and crystalline structure through different analytical methods.

Research Methodology

• The researchers collected a total of 141 samples of equine sabulous deposits—granulated or sandy substances often found in horse urine. The investigative methods used to analyze these samples included Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX).
• IR spectroscopy is a tool used to identify molecular composition. SEM is used to scrutinize any morphology (form and structure) of specimens, while EDX further aids in the elemental composition and chemical characterization of those specimens.

Results and Findings

• The IR analysis revealed that calcium carbonates (both calcite and vaterite) were the major constituents present in all investigated deposits.
• Out of all samples, 42 were composed of both calcite and vaterite, 33 of calcite only, 18 of calcite/vaterite along with calcium oxalate, and 17 solely of vaterite. Other specimens contained a mix of calcite/vaterite along with other compounds such as calcium phosphates, sulphates, oxalates, or silica.
• SEM/EDX was applied to 44 selected samples and it revealed distinct morphological attributes and elemental composition of the crystals in these sabulous deposits.
• Calcite crystals displayed a typical spherical shape while less commonly adopting a rhombohedral form. The vaterite exhibited different appearances, sometimes resembling that of a “flower” or “star” and at other times a “mulberry” shape. There were also instances where it adopted a spherular shape like that of calcite.
• Chemical composition analysis found varying proportions of magnesium and potassium in both calcite and vaterite crystals, which led the researchers to conclude that these substances were mainly present in a substituted form.
• Last but not least, crystals of calcium oxalate dihydrate showed a characteristic bipyramidal morphology, while less common calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals had an unusual “dumbbell” or “hour-glass” shape.