Endothelin 1 in healthy foals and in foals affected by neonatal diseases.

The research study investigates the concentration of Endothelin 1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictor, in healthy foals and those affected by neonatal diseases such as equine neonatal sepsis (ENS) and perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS). The study suggests that repeated measurements of ET-1 during hospitalization may help monitor disease progression, although further studies are needed.

Research Goals

• The main objectives of the study were to examine and understand the serum concentration of Endothelin 1 (ET-1) in healthy foals during their first week of age.
• The researchers also wanted to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic role of ET-1 during occurrences of equine neonatal sepsis (ENS) and perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS).

Research Methodology

• The study subjects included six healthy foals and twenty-three sick foals affected by ENS and/or PAS.
• The researchers tracked and recorded the concentration of ET-1 over set time intervals to determine patterns and establish a standard range.
• Measurements were repeated during the hospitalization process, with a specific emphasis on the foals affected by ENS and PAS.

Research Findings

• In healthy foals, the concentration of ET-1 increased in the first 24 hours after birth, remained constant for the first three days, and then significantly decreased from the fourth day onwards.
• In sick foals affected by ENS and/or PAS, only 26.1% showed higher levels of ET-1 than the healthy control group upon admission.
• No significant difference was found in ET-1 levels between surviving and non-surviving foals.
• However, in non-surviving foals, ET-1 levels remained higher than those recorded in clinically healthy foals or increased over time if the levels were normal at admission.

Conclusion

• The research suggests that repeated measurement of ET-1 throughout hospitalization may aid in monitoring the progression of diseases in foals, specifically ENS and PAS.
• The team also hypothesizes that this process can offer prognostic information, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.