Evaluation of Blood Glucose and Lactate Concentrations in Mule and Equine Foals.

The research focuses on the comparison and measurement of glucose and lactate concentrations in healthy mule and horse (equine) foals from birth to 720 hours using two different systems. There were differences in results depending on the system used, but the Accutrend Plus system showed a similar pattern of variation to the Randox Daytona analyzer, suggesting it could be used for immediate evaluations.

Methodology

• The physiological measurements were taken from healthy mule and horse foals from birth to 720 hours. The focus was on their glucose and lactate concentrations, critical indicators of newborn health.
• These glucose and lactate concentrations were evaluated using two different systems: a benchtop Randox Daytona analyzer (LAB) that used plasma samples and an Accutrend Plus system (ACP) that used whole blood samples. The contrast could reveal differences in results based on the procedure used.
• The analyzed data from the two systems were compared using a statistical process called PROC MIXED, correlation measures, and Bland-Altman analysis. This comparison aimed to provide insight into the reliability and accuracy of the two different analysis systems.

Results

• The glucose and lactate concentrations in mule and horse foals showed different outcomes when evaluated with the Randox Daytona analyzer (LAB).
• When processed with the Accutrend Plus system (ACP), no difference was noticed. This suggests that the system used can significantly influence the measured concentrations.
• The glucose concentration variation showed an increase followed by a decrease, regardless of the system used for both mule and horse foals, while the lactate concentration pattern showed initial higher values followed by a decrease.
• The intraclass coefficient correlation for glucose was low, while it was moderate for lactate. The correlation values help in determining the reliability and consistency of measurements across multiple tests or measurements.

Conclusion

• The results from the Accutrend Plus system in the experimental neonates were not highly correlated with those from the Randox Daytona analyzer in terms of glucose and lactate measurements.
• Despite not being highly correlated, the Accutrend Plus system did demonstrate a similar glucose and lactate variation pattern to the Randox Daytona analyzer. Thus, it can still be used for immediate assessments if there is a need for that and if the techniques are standardized for the specific samples being used.