Hemostatic indices in healthy foals from birth to one month of age.
Abstract: Hemostatic indices were determined in 45 healthy light breed foals, from birth to 1 month of age, and in 20 healthy adult (> 2 years of age) light breed horses. Blood samples were obtained from each foal at 4 ages: 1) < 24 hours, 2) 4-7 days, 3) 10-14 days, and 4) 25-30 days. The following hemostatic indices were determined: platelet count; prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times; activity concentrations of protein C, antithrombin III, plasminogen, alpha-2 antiplasmin, tissue plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; plasma protein C antigen and fibrinogen concentrations; and serum fibrin degradation products concentration. Prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were significantly longer at birth than in older foals. The plasma concentrations of the following were significantly lower at birth than in older foals: antithrombin III, plasminogen and tissue plasminogen activator activities, protein C antigen, and fibrinogen. Concentrations of the following were significantly higher at birth than in older foals: protein C and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activities and fibrin degradation products. These results indicate that hemostatic indices of neonatal foals differ significantly from those of older foals and adults. With the exceptions of antithrombin III and tissue plasminogen activator activities, all hemostatic indices measured in foals at 1 month of age were equivalent to adult values.
Publication Date: 1995-07-01 PubMed ID: 7578455DOI: 10.1177/104063879500700314Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research paper is focused on examining the hemostatic indices of 45 healthy breed foals from their birth till they reach one month of age, in comparison to 20 adult horses of over 2 years of age. Various hemostatic indices were measured, showing notable differences in foals when compared to older foals and adults.
Hemostatic Indices Assessment
- The team of scientists performed a study on 45 healthy light breed foals from birth up to one month of age and 20 healthy adult horses more than 2 years of age, studying a number of hemostatic indices in them. These indices are elements in the blood that are related to the clotting and anticoagulant mechanism of the blood.
- Blood samples were taken at four different stages of the foal’s growth: less than 24 hours old, between 4 and 7 days old, between 10 and 14 days old, and between 25 to 30 days old.
Resulting Differences
- Significant differences were noted in the values of several hemostatic indices between newborn foals and older foals. Indexes such as prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were found to be longer at birth, which indicates slower clotting ability at this stage.
- Many plasma protein levels, including antithrombin III, Plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator activities, protein C antigen, and fibrinogen were found to be lower at birth but increased as the foal aged. This indicates that these elements related to anticoagulation and clot dissolution mechanisms mature with age in foals.
- Concentrations of factors like protein C and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activities were found to be higher at birth compared to older foals. The concentration of fibrin degradation products was also high, implying that the breakup of fibrin (a protein involved in clot formation) is more active at birth.
Evidence of Maturation
- With the exceptions of antithrombin III and tissue plasminogen activator activities, all hemostatic indices measured in one-month-old foals were equivalent to the values in adult horses, suggesting that the maturation of hemostatic mechanisms occurs rapidly within the first month of life in foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Barton MH, Morris DD, Crowe N, Collatos C, Prasse KW.
(1995).
Hemostatic indices in healthy foals from birth to one month of age.
J Vet Diagn Invest, 7(3), 380-385.
https://doi.org/10.1177/104063879500700314 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / blood
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Antithrombin III / metabolism
- Fibrin / metabolism
- Fibrinogen / metabolism
- Hemostasis
- Horses / blood
- Horses / growth & development
- Partial Thromboplastin Time
- Plasminogen / metabolism
- Plasminogen Inactivators / blood
- Platelet Count
- Protein C / metabolism
- Prothrombin Time
- Reference Values
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator / blood
- alpha-2-Antiplasmin / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Donnelly CG, Finno CJ. Vitamin E depletion is associated with subclinical axonal degeneration in juvenile horses. Equine Vet J 2023 Sep;55(5):884-890.
- Wong DM, Ruby RE, Eatroff A, Yaeger MJ. Use of Renal Replacement Therapy in a Neonatal Foal with Postresuscitation Acute Renal Failure. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Mar;31(2):593-597.
- Johnstone IB, Martin CA. Comparative effects of the human protein C activator, Protac, on the activated partial thromboplastin clotting times of plasmas, with special reference to the dog. Can J Vet Res 2000 Apr;64(2):117-22.
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