Hematology of equine fetuses with comparisons to their dams.
Abstract: The Hematologic values of 19 equine fetuses between 202 and 238 days gestation were compared with those of their dams. The red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly lower in fetal blood, while the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and red cell distribution width were significantly higher. Mares had a significantly higher nucleated blood cell count than fetuses, and all nucleated cells were leukocytes (WBC). Most WBC in mare blood were segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes. In contrast, over one-half of the nucleated cells in fetal blood were nucleated RBC, and the majority of WBC in fetal blood were lymphocytes. Mares also had significantly higher plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations than their fetuses. Mild macrocytosis and mild polychromasia were observed in most fetal blood samples, but not in blood samples from mares. All fetal blood contained reticulocytes, and most samples contained Heinz bodies and Howell-Jolly bodies. The results of this study will contribute to the development of hematologic reference values that may be useful in equine fetal research and, possibly, in the diagnosis of equine fetal disease.
Publication Date: 2002-06-21 PubMed ID: 12075545DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165x.1998.tb01026.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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.
This study compared the blood characteristics of 19 horse fetuses with their mothers, finding noticeable differences especially in parameters such as red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, and types of white blood cells. These findings may contribute to diagnosing diseases in horse fetuses and furthering related research.
Comparing Hematologic Values
- The study focused on key indicators in blood called hematologic values. It involved 19 equine (horse) fetuses and their mothers, otherwise referred to as mares.
- The fetuses were between 202 and 238 days gestation, a period during which they have already developed key organs and have begun to grow and mature in preparation for birth.
- The researchers compared the blood characteristics of the fetuses and mares, particularly focusing on red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and red cell distribution width.
Fetal and Maternal Blood Differences
- The research discovered significant differences between fetal and mare blood. The fetuses’ RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly lower than their mothers’.
- However, the fetuses had a higher red cell distribution width and mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin – all of these are measurements of the size and hemoglobin content of the red blood cells.
- Interestingly, the study found a higher count of nucleated blood cells (cells with a nucleus) in mares than in the fetuses. But while all nucleated cells were white blood cells (WBC) in the mares, over half of them in the fetuses were nucleated red blood cells.
Implication of Findings
- These findings shed light on the hematologic differences between mares and their fetuses, which might become valuable in diagnosing fetal diseases in horses.
- Identifying these blood characteristics can provide a clearer picture of normal and abnormal fetal blood values, which could contribute to advancing relevant research in equine fetal health.
Cite This Article
APA
Allen AL, Myers SL, Searcy GP, Fretz PB.
(2002).
Hematology of equine fetuses with comparisons to their dams.
Vet Clin Pathol, 27(3), 93-100.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165x.1998.tb01026.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
