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Lung surfactant function and composition in neonatal foals and adult horses.
Abstract: Lung surfactant function and composition are varied and adapted to the specific respiratory physiology of all mammalian species. Objective: Lung surfactant function and composition are different in neonatal foals as compared to adult horses. Methods: Six adult horses, 7 term foals (<24 hours old), and 4 premature foals were used. Animals were part of the Auburn University teaching herd except for 3 client-owned premature foals. Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from all animals. Ultracentrifugation of cell-free BALF separated surfactant into crude surfactant pellets (CSP) and supernatant. Both fractions were analyzed for phospholipid and protein content with the Bartlett and bicinchoninic acid method, respectively. Phospholipid composition of the CSP was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scatter detector. Surface tension of the CSP was measured with a pulsating bubble surfactometer. Results from term foals (<24 hours old) were compared statistically to those from adult horses. Values of P < .05 were considered significant. Results: BALF phospholipid content was similar between adult horses and term foals, but BALF protein content was significantly decreased in term foals. Phosphatidylglycerol was significantly decreased, phosphatidylinositol was significantly increased, and the minimum surface tension was significantly increased in the CSP from term foals compared to adult horses. Conclusions: Surface tension and phospholipid composition of surfactant in neonatal foals are significantly different compared to adult horses. These changes may influence biophysical and immunologic functions of surfactant.
Publication Date: 2006-12-26 PubMed ID: 17186857DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[1402:lsfaci]2.0.co;2Google 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.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the differences in the function and composition of lung surfactant in newborn foals (horses less than 24 hours old) and adult horses. The study found notable differences between newborns and adults, which may impact the biophysical and immunologic functions of surfactant in lungs.
Research Methodology
- The study used a group of six adult horses, seven newborn foals (less than 24 hours old), and four premature foals.
- Most of the animals were part of the Auburn University’s teaching herd, albeit three premature foals belonged to clients.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), a fluid used for diagnosing lung diseases, was collected from all animals.
- The BALF was then separated into crude surfactant pellets (CSP) and supernatant through ultracentrifugation.
- The researchers evaluated the phospholipid and protein content in both fractions using the Bartlett and bicinchoninic acid method, respectively.
- High-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scatter detector was utilized to determine the phospholipid composition of the CSP.
- The surface tension of the CSP was measured with a pulsating bubble surfactometer.
Research Findings
- The concentration of phospholipids in the BALF was found to be similar between adult horses and newborn foals.
- However, protein content in the BALF of newborn foals was significantly decreased compared to that of adults.
- Significant changes were observed in the phospholipid composition, with a decrease in phosphatidylglycerol and an increase in phosphatidylinositol in newborn foals compared to adults.
- The minimum surface tension was found to be significantly increased in the CSP from newborn foals compared to adult horses.
Conclusion
The study concluded that there are significant differences in the phospholipid composition and surface tension of surfactant in newborn foals compared to adult horses. These differences may influence the biophysical and immunologic functions of surfactant, thus possibly having implications on lung health and functionality in foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Christmann U, Livesey LC, Taintor JS, Waldridge BM, Schumacher J, Grier BL, Hite RD.
(2006).
Lung surfactant function and composition in neonatal foals and adult horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 20(6), 1402-1407.
https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[1402:lsfaci]2.0.co;2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL, USA. chrisun@vt.edu
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Lung / metabolism
- Lung / physiology
- Male
- Phospholipids / analysis
- Phospholipids / metabolism
- Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / analysis
- Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins / metabolism
- Pulmonary Surfactants / analysis
- Pulmonary Surfactants / metabolism
- Respiratory Function Tests
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Rivolta AA, Bujold AR, Wilmarth PA, Phinney BS, Navelski JP, Horohov DW, Sanz MG. Comparison of the broncoalveolar lavage fluid proteomics between foals and adult horses. PLoS One 2023;18(9):e0290778.
- Bocking T, Singh B. Light and electron-microscopic localization of CD9 and surfactant protein A and D in normal lungs of the horse. Can J Vet Res 2021 Jul;85(3):170-176.
- Bocking T, Johnson L, Singh A, Desai A, Aulakh GK, Singh B. Research article expression of surfactant protein-A and D, and CD9 in lungs of 1 and 30 day old foals. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jul 5;17(1):236.
- Christmann U, Hancock CL, Poole CM, Emery AL, Poovey JR, Hagg C, Mattson EA, Scarborough JJ, Christopher JS, Dixon AT, Craney DJ, Wood PL. Dynamics of DHA and EPA supplementation: incorporation into equine plasma, synovial fluid, and surfactant glycerophosphocholines. Metabolomics 2021 Apr 17;17(5):41.
- Tinkler SH, Mathews LA, Firshman AM, Quandt JE. The use of equine surfactant and positive pressure ventilation to treat a premature alpaca cria with severe hypoventilation and hypercapnia. Can Vet J 2015 Apr;56(4):370-4.
- Mönki J, Mykkänen A. Lipids in Equine Airway Inflammation: An Overview of Current Knowledge. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 18;14(12).
- Hostetter SJ, Clark SK, Gilbertie JM, Wiechert SA, Jones DE, Sponseller BA. Age-related variation in the cellular composition of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Vet Clin Pathol 2017 Jun;46(2):344-353.
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