Theriogenology2015; 85(7); 1233-1238; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.12.004

Hematological and biochemical findings in pregnant, postfoaling, and lactating jennies.

Abstract: The aims of this study were to (1) verify if significant changes occur in hematological and biochemical parameters in jennies during the last 2 months of pregnancy and the first 2 months of lactation, and (2) determine any differences with mares. Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in jennies every 15 days during late pregnancy, parturition, and early lactation. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, analysis of variance for repeated measurements and Tukey's multiple comparison test as post hoc were applied. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Statistical analysis showed differences related to time for Red Blood Cells (RBC) count and Hematocrit (HCT), White Blood Cells (WBC) count, platelet count (PLT), total proteins, blood urea, triglycerides and total cholesterol concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, creatine-phosphokinase activities, sodium (Na) and potassium (K). RBC and HCT were higher in late pregnancy than at foaling and during lactation. The relative anemia might be due to increased water ingestion because of fluid losses. The WBC count was higher at foaling than during late pregnancy and lactation. This could be related to the release of cortisol and catecholamine during delivery. The PLT trend showed lower values from delivery to the first 2 months of lactation compared to late gestation. Blood urea increased near parturition, and then remained constant during delivery and lactation, which might be due to the high energy demand at the beginning of lactation. Triglycerides and total cholesterol showed a decrease from delivery through the lactation period. Thus, jennies seem to have a similar metabolism of fats to ponies and draft horse mares, characterized by a greater fat content and mobilization than light breed horses. Aspartate aminotransferase activity decreased at parturition and early lactation, probably because of a predominance of anabolic over catabolic processes during pregnancy. Gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was lower at delivery and during lactation than at late gestation. This could be due to a physiological load on the liver in the perinatal period. Gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was always higher than in mares, but within the normal range for adult donkeys. Creatine-phosphokinase decreased near delivery, then was constant from parturition through the first 2 months of lactation. Na decreased during lactation, probably due to an increased renal retention mediated by aldosterone release during pregnancy. K showed the same trend as Na, and concentrations are in line with the species. The higher K during pregnancy may be due to reabsorption by the gut. Total proteins decreased more during the postpartum period and lactation than in the gestational period. In conclusion, our results showed significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in jennies during the last 2 months of pregnancy and the first 2 months of lactation and these changes are only partially comparable to mares.

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Publication Date: 2015-12-18 PubMed ID: 26792379DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.12.004Google Scholar: Lookup

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Summary

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The research paper aims to understand the changes in blood and biochemical parameters in female donkeys, known as jennies, during the final two months of pregnancy and the first two months of lactation, with an additional goal of comparing the findings with those in mares. The research identified several significant changes during this period, including variations in red and white blood cell counts, platelets, total protein levels, and a range of other biochemical factors.

Research Methodology

The study involved periodic assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters in jennies every 15 days during late pregnancy, childbirth, and early lactation.
The evaluations included Red Blood Cells (RBC) count, Hematocrit (HCT), White Blood Cells (WBC) count, platelet count (PLT), and the levels of various biochemical substances.
The researchers utilized the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, analysis of variance for repeated measurements, and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Statistical significance was set at a P value of less than 0.05.

Key Findings

There were significant time-related changes in RBC, HCT, WBC counts, PLT, total proteins, blood urea, triglycerides and total cholesterol concentrations, sodium (Na) and potassium (K).
RBC and HCT were higher in late pregnancy than at delivery and lactation. This might be due to increased fluid intake as a result of fluid losses.
WBC counts were higher at childbirth than during late pregnancy and lactation, possibly because of cortisol and catecholamine release during delivery.
PLT was comparatively lower from childbirth to early lactation.
Blood urea increased near childbirth and remained constant during delivery and lactation, likely due to higher energy demand at lactation onset.
Triglycerides and total cholesterol levels decreased from childbirth to lactation period, suggesting a metabolism of fats similar to ponies and draft horse mares.
Aspartate aminotransferase activity decreased at parturition and early lactation, while Gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was lower at childbirth and lactation than late pregnancy, possibly due to the physiological impact on the liver during this period.
There was a drop in sodium (Na) during lactation due to increased renal retention, while K levels followed a similar trend, likely due to gut reabsorption.
The total proteins levels decreased more during the postpartum period and lactation than in the gestational period.

Conclusion

The study concluded that there exist significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in jennies during the late stages of pregnancy and early lactation period. However, these changes are only partially similar to those seen in mares.

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APA

(2015). Hematological and biochemical findings in pregnant, postfoaling, and lactating jennies. Theriogenology, 85(7), 1233-1238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.12.004

Publication

Theriogenology

ISSN: 1879-3231

NlmUniqueID: 0421510

Country: United States

Language: English

Volume: 85

Issue: 7

Pages: 1233-1238

PII: S0093-691X(15)00677-9

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

Animals
Equidae / blood
Equidae / physiology
Female
Lactation / blood
Lactation / physiology
Postpartum Period / blood
Postpartum Period / physiology
Pregnancy

Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.

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