Evaluation of peritoneal l-lactate concentration in horses in the early post-partum period.
Abstract: Peritoneal fluid lactate concentration is an important diagnostic tool in horses with abdominal pain. Information on peritoneal lactate concentrations is lacking following parturition in the mare. To compare blood and peritoneal lactate concentrations in a population of mares within 36 h post-partum, report a normal reference range and identify any impact of retained foetal membranes (RFMs). This is a retrospective study evaluating healthy mares from which blood and peritoneal samples had been obtained within 36 h of parturition. Exclusion criteria included signs of abdominal pain within this period. Data was interrogated for normality using a Shapiro-Wilk test. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare blood and peritoneal lactate concentrations. Linear regression was used to compare age and breed data with peritoneal lactate concentrations. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. Forty mares met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 12.6 ± 4.1 years, and most mares were multiparous (65%). Peritoneal lactate ((1.2 (IQR = 0.9-1.6) mmol/L) was increased compared to blood lactate concentration (0.7 (IQR = 0-1.1)mmol/L; p < 0.001). Plasma total protein (TP) concentrations were 68 (IQR = 64-74) g/L and peritoneal protein concentrations 8 (IQR = 4-9.7) g/L. Six mares developed RFM. The median fold-increase in peritoneal lactate concentration compared to blood lactate concentration was 0.9 (IQR: 0.01-1.7; range: 0-2.5). The reference range for peritoneal fluid lactate concentration was 0-2.5 mmol/L. Peritoneal lactate concentrations in healthy post-partum mares remained within the normal reference range and were not influenced by RFM or parturition. Increased peritoneal lactate in this group warrants further investigation.
© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2024-04-18 PubMed ID: 38634206PubMed Central: PMC11024506DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1352Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the concentration of lactate in horse’s (mare’s) abdominal fluid following birthing, also known as the post-partum period. Examining levels of peritoneal lactate is key in diagnosing abdominal pain in horses, but data concerning these levels after a mare has given birth is sparse. The paper explores if there’s a correlation between lactate concentration and retained foetal membranes in the mare’s body.
Research Design
- This is a retrospective study investigating mares from whose blood and peritoneal samples were taken within 36 hours of giving birth.
- Any mare displaying signs of abdominal distress within this timeframe were excluded from the study.
- The researchers used various statistical methods, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Bland-Altman analysis, and linear regression, to ascertain normality and compare blood and peritoneal lactate concentrations as well as age and breed data.
Results
- Forty mares met the study’s inclusion criteria, with the average age being 12.6 years.
- The majority (65%) of mares in the study were multiparous, meaning they had given birth more than once.
- Data revealed that lactate in the peritoneal fluid was increased compared to blood lactate concentration.
- Six mares eventually developed retained foetal membranes (RFM).
- The reference range for lactate in the peritoneal fluid was found to be 0-2.5mmol/L.
Conclusions
- The researchers found that healthy, post-partum mares retained normal peritoneal lactate levels within the reference range, and this was not influenced by RFM or the birthing process itself.
- The study suggests that any increase in peritoneal lactate in healthy post-partum mares needs further study as this might indicate potential complications.
Cite This Article
APA
Rapezzano G, Marcatili M, Stephenson R, Pereira R, Hallowell G, Duz M.
(2024).
Evaluation of peritoneal l-lactate concentration in horses in the early post-partum period.
Vet Med Sci, 10(3), e1352.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1352 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Pool House Equine Clinic, Fradley, Staffordshire, UK.
- Pool House Equine Clinic, Fradley, Staffordshire, UK.
- Pool House Equine Clinic, Fradley, Staffordshire, UK.
- Pool House Equine Clinic, Fradley, Staffordshire, UK.
- Pool House Equine Clinic, Fradley, Staffordshire, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Female
- Lactic Acid
- Retrospective Studies
- Postpartum Period
- Abdominal Pain / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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