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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Haematological reference intervals for pregnant Icelandic ma...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2023; 65(1); 57; doi: 10.1186/s13028-023-00721-x

Haematological reference intervals for pregnant Icelandic mares on pasture.

Abstract: Few studies have been conducted on haematological reference intervals (RIs) in Icelandic horses. Reference intervals have been published for Icelandic horses in Austria and a preliminary study in Iceland compared haematological values in riding horses to published RIs for other breeds as well as Icelandic horses abroad. Haematological parameters can vary greatly due to factors such as breed, gender, age, reproductive status, and training, as well as feeding, prior exercise and management method. Icelandic broodmares are kept on pasture under supervision throughout the year, with haylage provided during the winter, and it is therefore of interest to establish haematological reference intervals for pregnant broodmares in Iceland. The purpose of this study was to establish haematological RIs specific to Icelandic broodmares in the first months of pregnancy, kept on pasture. Blood samples from 183 mares, stabilised in EDTA were analysed using IDEXX ProCyte Dx and total protein was analysed in serum samples from 157 of the 183 mares, using IDEXX Catalyst One analyser. The RIs were established using the guidelines of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Results: The RIs for red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin were higher in pasture-kept Icelandic mares in early pregnancy, most of which were lactating, than in pregnant mares of other breeds. This was also true for white blood cell count, as well as numbers of monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, which in some instances might illustrate problems in the automated categorisation of some leukocytes. Conclusions: As no RIs have been published for other pasture-kept Icelandic horses, future investigations should include other groups of pasture-kept Icelandic horses. Such an analysis might elucidate the effect of breed, management, and pregnancy on haematological values in pasture-kept Icelandic horses.
© 2023. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2023-12-15 PubMed ID: 38102616PubMed Central: PMC10724915DOI: 10.1186/s13028-023-00721-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The presented research focuses on establishing haematological reference intervals (RIs) or the range of normal blood cell values for Icelandic broodmares during the initial stages of pregnancy. This will help assess health concerns or conditions that may potentially affect the mare and the pregnancy.

Study Purpose

  • The primary aim of the study was to identify specific haematological RIs for Icelandic broodmares in their first few months of pregnancy. The mares are kept in pastures and the assessment of their blood cell range would help in making health and gestational predictions.

Methodology

  • 183 mare’s blood samples, stabilized in EDTA (a compound that prevents blood clotting), were observed through an IDEXX ProCyte Dx.
  • The total protein was analysed in serum samples taken from 157 out of the 183 mares using an IDEXX Catalyst One analyser. These findings were implemented following the guidelines issued by the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Results

  • The research found that the RIs for the red blood cell count, haematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in the blood) and haemoglobin were greater in Icelandic mares during the first few months of pregnancy in relation to pregnant mares of other breeds.
  • Alongside, the white blood cell count, monocytes (a type of white blood cell), eosinophils (a variety of white blood cells that fight infection), and basophils (a type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions) were also reportedly higher.
  • In some cases, the automated process faced difficulty in categorizing certain leukocytes; this might have caused these higher count results.

Conclusions and Future Perspectives

  • Considering that no RIs were previously published specifically for pasture-kept Icelandic horses, the research advocated for future studies to incorporate more groups of pasture-kept Icelandic horses.
  • This would further help to ascertain the influence of factors such as breed, management methods, and gestational period on the haematological values of these Icelandic horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Oddsdóttir C, Jónsdóttir HK, Sturludóttir E. (2023). Haematological reference intervals for pregnant Icelandic mares on pasture. Acta Vet Scand, 65(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00721-x

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 65
Issue: 1
Pages: 57

Researcher Affiliations

Oddsdóttir, Charlotta
  • Division of Bacteriology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, Keldnavegi 3, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland. charlotta@hi.is.
Jónsdóttir, Hanna Kristrún
  • Division of Bacteriology and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, Keldnavegi 3, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Sturludóttir, Erla
  • Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural University of Iceland, Árleyni 22, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland.

MeSH Terms

  • Pregnancy
  • Horses
  • Female
  • Animals
  • Iceland
  • Lactation
  • Leukocyte Count / veterinary
  • Erythrocyte Count / veterinary
  • Hematocrit / veterinary
  • Reference Values

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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