Hematologic and biochemical profiles in Standardbred mares during peripartum.
Abstract: The purposes of this study were to determine physiological changes occurring in hematologic and biochemical parameters in mares between the last month of gestation and the first week after parturition. If a significant change was observed with respect to the reference interval of an adult horse, a further aim of the study was to establish different reference intervals. Blood samples were collected from 62 healthy pregnant Standardbred mares. Seventeen nonpregnant and nonlactating mares were used as a control group. In pregnant mares, blood sampling was conducted every three days from 1 month before the expected foaling date (335 days after the last mating), at parturition, and 7 days after foaling. The barren mares in the control group were sampled once. Results from samples collected 20 and 10 days before parturition, at parturition, and 7 days after were considered in the statistical analysis. A parametric method for all the parameters studied was used to establish reference intervals. Results were compared by repeated measures ANOVA. When significant differences were observed in relation to sampling time, a post hoc analysis was performed (Tukey test). The one-way ANOVA test followed by Dunnett's test was performed to evaluate the presence of a significant difference between each sampling time and the control group. Any significant difference in the blood count parameters at different sampling times was observed by repeated measure ANOVA. Hemoglobin (P < 0.01) and hematocrit (P < 0.01) 7 days after parturition and white blood cell count (P < 0.01) at parturition were significantly different from the control group. Erythrocyte indices and platelet count were within the normal reference intervals as established in the control group. In the biochemical panel, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatinine, glucose, biliar acids, total protein, albumin-to-globulin ratio, and calcium were significantly different at different sampling times. Moreover, serum concentration of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, lactate, total protein, albumin, albumin-to-globulin ratio, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, potassium, and total, direct, and indirect bilirubin was different from that of the control group. Remarkable changes were not observed in alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and fibrinogen concentrations. Temporal changes in the hematologic and biochemical parameters observed in the present study in the peripartum and the differences with reference intervals made up for nonpregnant and nonlactating mares could be used to better evaluate the conditions of periparturient mares.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-11-09 PubMed ID: 24361129DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.11.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study looks at the physiological changes happening in the blood of Standardbred mares at the end of pregnancy and the first week after giving birth. The aim is to identify significant changes, compare these to normal ranges, and establish if different reference intervals are needed during this period.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted the study on 62 healthy pregnant Standardbred mares, with 17 nonpregnant and nonlactating mares serving as a control group.
- They collected blood samples from the pregnant mares every three days from 1 month before the expected birth date, at birth, and 7 days after giving birth. The control group mares were sample only once.
- They analyzed the results from samples collected 20 and 10 days before birth, at birth, and 7 days after.
- A scientific parametric method was used to establish reference intervals for all parameters studied.
- Using multiple statistical analyses, they compared the results and assessed the presence of significant differences between each sample time and the control group.
Key Findings
- Significant differences were found in the pregnant mares for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels seven days after birth, and white blood cell count at birth, when compared with the control group.
- In contrast, erythrocyte indices and platelet count remained within the normal reference intervals as defined by the control group.
- In the biochemical panel, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatinine, glucose, biliar acids, total protein, albumin-to-globulin ratio, and calcium showed significant differences at different sampling times.
- Some others, such as serum concentration of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, lactate, total protein, albumin, albumin-to-globulin ratio, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, potassium, and total, direct, and indirect bilirubin also showed differences from the control group.
- No significant changes were observed in alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and fibrinogen concentrations.
Conclusion
The changes found in the blood parameters of Standardbred mares around the time of giving birth suggest that it may be beneficial to use reference intervals unique to this period rather than those established for nonpregnant and nonlactating mares. These findings could be used to better evaluate the health and conditions of mares during and after giving birth.
Cite This Article
APA
Mariella J, Pirrone A, Gentilini F, Castagnetti C.
(2013).
Hematologic and biochemical profiles in Standardbred mares during peripartum.
Theriogenology, 81(4), 526-534.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.11.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: jole.mariella2@unibo.it.
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Cell Count / veterinary
- Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
- Female
- Hematocrit / veterinary
- Hemoglobins / analysis
- Horses / blood
- Peripartum Period
- Pregnancy
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Satué K, Fazio E, La Fauci D, Medica P. Hematological indexes and iron status in pregnant mares. Arch Anim Breed 2023;66(3):197-205.
- Freccero F, Di Maio C, Mariella J, Lanci A, Castagnetti C, Hallowell G. Assessment of the microvascular perfusion using sidestream dark-field imaging in healthy newborn foals. Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan;9(1):158-166.
- Lisuzzo A, Bonelli F, Sgorbini M, Nocera I, Cento G, Mazzotta E, Turini L, Martini M, Salari F, Morgante M, Badon T, Fiore E. Differences of the Plasma Total Lipid Fraction from Pre-Foaling to Post-Foaling Period in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 26;12(3).
- Bazzano M, Bonfili L, Eleuteri AM, Serri E, Scollo C, Yaosen Y, Tesei B, Laus F. Assessment of serum amyloid A concentrations and biochemical profiles in lactating jennies and newborn Ragusano donkey foals around parturition and one month after foaling in Sicily. Reprod Domest Anim 2022 Mar;57(3):262-268.
- Alamaary M, Ali A. Abortion and uterine prolapse in a Thoroughbred mare with twin pregnancy: Clinical and laboratory findings and treatment approach. J Equine Sci 2020;31(4):95-99.
- Faramarzi B, Rich LJ, Wu J. Hematological and serum biochemical profile values in pregnant and non-pregnant mares. Can J Vet Res 2018 Oct;82(4):287-293.
- Ma Y, Liu Y, Li H, Yang K, Yao G. Changes in blood physiological and biochemical parameters and intestinal flora in newborn horses and mares with angular limb deformities. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1503117.
- Del Prete C, Vastolo A, Pasolini MP, Cocchia N, Montano C, Cutrignelli MI. Effects of maternal dietary supplementation with antioxidants on clinical status of mares and their foal. BMC Vet Res 2024 Sep 11;20(1):404.
- Oddsdóttir C, Jónsdóttir HK, Sturludóttir E, Vilanova XM. The Effect of Repeated Blood Harvesting from Pregnant Mares on Haematological Variables. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 28;14(5).
- Coluccia P, Gizzarelli M, Scicluna MT, Manna G, Foglia Manzillo V, Buono F, Auletta L, Palumbo V, Pasolini MP. A cross-sectional study on performance evaluation in Italian standardbred horses' real-time PCR-positive for Theileria equi. BMC Vet Res 2024 Mar 5;20(1):79.
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