Metabolic and endocrine profiles in sick neonatal foals are related to survival.
Abstract: Sick neonatal foals suffer from a variety of endocrine and metabolic derangements that may be related to outcome. There are several hepatic and lipid metabolism blood markers that have never been assessed in neonatal foals. Objective: Assess panel of endocrine and metabolic variables in group of sick and healthy neonatal foals in order to describe their relationship with diagnosis and survival. Methods: All neonatal foals referred to Unitat Equina-Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari during 3 consecutive foaling seasons and a group of healthy foals. Methods: Observational prospective study. Blood samples were obtained on admission and, when possible, after 24-48 h of hospitalization and immediately before discharge or death. Measured variables were triglycerides, nonsterified fatty acids, glucose, creatinine, urea, γ-glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), insulin, cortisol, bile acids, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH/cortisol and glucose/insulin ratios were calculated. Results: Urea, creatinine, and cortisol had median concentrations in septic and nonseptic foals 2- to 8-fold higher than in the control group (P < .001). Median ACTH concentration in the septic group was approximately 4 times higher than in nonseptic and control foals (P < .001). ACTH/cortisol ratio was significantly lower in sick foals compared to control foals (P < .001). A score was designed including creatinine, GLDH, and cortisol. When ≥ 2 of these variables were altered (P < .001), the foal had 32 times more risk of dying (OR, 31.7; 95% CI, 7.7-130.3). Conclusions: Plasma creatinine, GLDH, and cortisol should be determined in sick newborn foals on admission because of their association with survival.
Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2013-03-25 PubMed ID: 23527872DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12064Google 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.
The study explores how metabolic and endocrine profiles in sick new-born foals are associated with their chances of survival. To be specific, it places emphasis on certain blood markers related to hepatic and lipid metabolism, which previously have not been assessed in neonatal foals.
Study Methodology
- The research involved classes of sick and healthy foals born during three cohesive foaling seasons in the Unitat Equine-Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari.
- This was an observational prospective study, with blood samples being collected on admission, if possible 24-48 hours after hospitalization, and before discharge or death.
- The study evaluated several variables such as triglycerides, nonsterified fatty acids, glucose, creatinine, urea, γ-glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), insulin, cortisol, bile acids, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
- Additionally, the ACTH/cortisol and glucose/insulin ratios were calculated and assessed for their implications.
Study Results
- The study found significantly higher concentrations of urea, creatinine, and cortisol in both septic and non-septic foals than in the control group. In particular, these median concentrations were seen to be 2-8 times greater.
- The ACTH concentration in the septic group was 4 times higher than in the non-septic and control foals.
- The ACTH/cortisol ratio was considerably lower in sick foals as compared to control foals, possibly indicating a greater stress state in the unwell neonates.
- A score was designed using three variables: creatinine, GLDH, and cortisol. When two or more of these variables were found to be abnormal, the associated risk of dying for the foal increased significantly by 32 times.
Conclusions of the Study
- The study inferred that the assessment of plasma creatinine, GLDH, and cortisol in sick newborn foals on admission might be pivotal because of their strong association with survival outcomes.
- This evaluation of endocrine and metabolic variables could therefore facilitate early detection of health issues and thus allow for timely intervention to improve survival rates.
Cite This Article
APA
Armengou L, Jose-Cunilleras E, Ríos J, Cesarini C, Viu J, Monreal L.
(2013).
Metabolic and endocrine profiles in sick neonatal foals are related to survival.
J Vet Intern Med, 27(3), 567-575.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12064 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Servei de Medicina Interna Equina and Unitat Equina, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Barcelona, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Male
- Odds Ratio
- Sepsis / blood
- Sepsis / metabolism
- Sepsis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Bertin FR, Ruffin-Taylor D, Stewart AJ. Insulin dysregulation in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1420-1427.
- Hoffman CJ, McKenzie HC 3rd, Furr MO, Desrochers A. Glucocorticoid receptor density and binding affinity in healthy horses and horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Mar-Apr;29(2):626-35.
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
