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Frontiers in veterinary science2019; 6; 400; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00400

Hematological and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Mules in Chile.

Abstract: Hematological and biochemical reference intervals are an important tool for health assessment and treatment decision-making in veterinary medicine. Lack of information about reference intervals (RI) in mules force professionals to apply reference intervals developed for horses or donkeys, with the risk of misinterpretation. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine hematological and biochemical RI for healthy mules and compare them with those proposed in literature for horses, donkeys and mules. A total of 142 healthy mules (mixed breed mares × Baudet du Poitou) of both sex, all between 7 and 22 years of age and between 290 and 500 kg of live weight were sampled and 32 blood parameters analyzed in order to calculate reference intervals according to the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. The values obtained for Chilean mules were within the RI in three of the 21 variables where data was available for UK donkeys and for three of 22 RI available for working horses in Pakistan; no similarities were found with those from Portuguese mules. In the case of Chilean working horses RI, mules values were within range for 11 of 25 variables. The differences found in blood biochemistry may be explained by husbandry conditions, diet, type of work and biological features. Differences between mules' reference intervals and those from donkeys and working horses highlight the importance of having specific reference values for this equid hybrid and the need to develop further research in mules under different working conditions and genetic background.
Copyright © 2019 Lagos and Tadich.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-12 PubMed ID: 31781585PubMed Central: PMC6861176DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00400Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article explores the development of specific hematological and biochemical reference intervals for healthy mules in Chile, with the aim of improving their health assessment and treatment decisions in veterinary medicine. These reference intervals were compared to existing ones for horses, donkeys, and other mules in different areas.

Reference Intervals (RI) and the Research Aim

  • The purpose of the study was to establish specific hematological and biochemical reference intervals for healthy mules in Chile.
  • Currently, lack of such specific information forces veterinary professionals to use reference intervals developed for horses or donkeys when caring for mules, which can lead to misinterpretations and improper care.

The Sample Population

  • The study charted the health of 142 healthy mules, of both sexes, aged between 7 and 22 years, and weighing between 290 and 500 kg.
  • These mules were of a mixed breed between mares and Baudet du Poitou donkeys.

The Methodology

  • The researchers analyzed 32 blood parameters from the sampled mules, aiming to calculate the reference intervals as per standards set by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Comparison of Results

  • The study then compared the reference intervals obtained from Chilean mules with those documented for UK donkeys, working horses in Pakistan, Portuguese mules, and Chilean working horses.

Findings of the Study

  • The values for Chilean mules were only within the reference intervals for three out of 21 variables where data was available for UK donkeys, and for three of 22 reference intervals available for working horses in Pakistan.
  • The mules’ blood values did not align with those obtained from Portuguese mules.
  • Compared to Chilean working horses, mules’ values were within the reference intervals for 11 out of 25 variables.
  • The researchers believe the differences in blood biochemistry may be explained by factors such as husbandry conditions, diet, type of work, and biological features.

Conclusion

  • Significant discrepancies between the mules’ reference intervals and those of UK donkeys, Pakistani horses, Portuguese mules, and Chilean horses. This underscores the need for mule-specific reference intervals for accurate health assessments and treatment decisions.
  • The study advocates for extended research on mules under various working conditions and genetic backgrounds to refine these reference intervals.

Cite This Article

APA
Lagos J, Tadich TA. (2019). Hematological and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Mules in Chile. Front Vet Sci, 6, 400. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00400

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 400
PII: 400

Researcher Affiliations

Lagos, Javiera
  • Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Campus Sur, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Tadich, Tamara A
  • Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Boakari YL, Legacki E, Alonso MA, Dos Santos ACF, Nichi M, Conley AJ, Fernandes CB. Postnatal Dynamics of Circulating Steroid Hormones in Mule and Equine Neonates. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 28;9(11).
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  2. Ebel F, Ulloa O, Strobel P, Ramírez-Reveco A. Semen Quality and Freezability Analyses in the Ejaculates of Two Poitou Donkeys in the Southern Hemisphere. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:662887.
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  4. Nilkant R, Kathiresan C, Kumar N, Caritis S, Shaik IH, Venkataramanan R. Selection of a suitable animal model to evaluate secretion of drugs in the human milk: a systematic approach. Xenobiotica 2024 Jun;54(6):288-303.
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  5. Paján-Jiménez V, Pazmiño-Rodríguez FD, Roldán-Santiago P, Dutro-Aceves A, de la Cruz-Cruz LA, Larrondo C. Effects of different load weights on the work performance and physiological and hematobiochemical responses in working water buffalo. Vet World 2023 Nov;16(11):2349-2357.
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