Diurnal changes in cortisol level, neutrophil number and lyzozyme activity in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers.
Abstract: In the blood of 11 foals and their lactating mothers (Standardbred) diurnal changes in the cortisol level, neutrophil number and lysozyme activity were studied during the first 13 weeks of life. The investigations began when a foal reached 7 days of age and were repeated every two weeks till 13 weeks of age. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein every 4 hours for one day. Experiments were repeated in two following years. In the first year 6 mares and 6 foals born by these mares were examined, and in the second year--5 of the mares from the first year and the 5 new foals borne by them. All horses were kept and fed under the same conditions. Diurnal rhythm in neutrophil number and lysozyme activity was found neither in foals nor in mares. In the cortisol level a diurnal rhythm was found as early as in the first week of life of a foal as well as in the first week of lactation in mares. The mean diurnal values of cortisol level and lysozyme activity in foal blood were lower by 58% and 22%, respectively, in comparison with mares.
Publication Date: 1992-11-01 PubMed ID: 1455932DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.1992.tb00229.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigates the daily patterns in cortisol levels, neutrophil numbers and lysozyme activity in the blood of newborn foals and their lactating mothers over the first 13 weeks of the foal’s life.
Research Methodology
- The study observed 11 Standardbred foals and their lactating mothers.
- The monitoring began when the foals were 7 days old, and continued every two weeks until they reached 13 weeks of age.
- Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein every 4 hours for a day.
- This experiment was performed over two consecutive years. In the first year, 6 sets of mares and their foals were studied, while in the second year 5 of the original mares and their new foals were studied.
- All horses were kept under identical conditions in order to maintain the integrity of the study.
Research Findings
- Fluctuations in neutrophil numbers and lysozyme activity did not follow a daily rhythm in both the mares and their foals.
- Cortisol levels, on the other hand, did exhibit a diurnal pattern. This was observed as early as the first week of life in the foals and the first week of lactation in their mothers.
- When comparing foals to their mothers, the researchers found that on average, the foals’ cortisol levels and lysozyme activity were 58% and 22% lower, respectively.
Implications and Conclusions
- This research provides valuable insights into the physiological development and function of foals during the first few weeks of life.
- It also sheds light on the hormonal and immune-state fluctuations in lactating mares, information that could be utilized in the field of equine health management.
- Although this study only followed a small sample of animals over a limited timeframe, its findings contribute to the broader understanding of equine health and could form the basis for further studies.
Cite This Article
APA
Flisińska-Bojanowska A, Gill J, Grzelkowska K.
(1992).
Diurnal changes in cortisol level, neutrophil number and lyzozyme activity in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers.
Zentralbl Veterinarmed A, 39(9), 641-647.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0442.1992.tb00229.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Vertebrate Animal Physiology, University of Warsaw, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Suckling / blood
- Circadian Rhythm
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Lactation / blood
- Leukocyte Count / veterinary
- Muramidase / blood
- Neutrophils / cytology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Wong DM, Vo DT, Alcott CJ, Stewart AJ, Peterson AD, Sponseller BA, Hsu WH. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age. Can J Vet Res 2009 Jan;73(1):65-72.
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