Multi-element assay of mammary secretions and sera from periparturient mares by inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy.
Abstract: To document and determine changes in the mineral profiles of sera and mammary secretions from a population of periparturient mares. Methods: 18 clinically normal periparturient Arabian broodmares. Methods: Inductively coupled argon emission spectroscopy was used to measure Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn concentrations in sera and mammary secretions of periparturient mares. In addition, S was measured in mammary secretions. Results: Serum concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, and Zn remained constant throughout late pregnancy and the first 7 days of lactation. Compared with values on day 11 before foaling, mammary fluid concentrations of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, P, S, and Zn increased prior to parturition and all element concentrations, except Ca, decreased with the onset of lactation. In contrast, Na concentrations in mammary secretions decreased precipitously as parturition approached. Iron concentrations in mammary secretions remained relatively constant up to the time of parturition, decreased at parturition, and remained constant during lactation. Conclusions: Prior to foaling, increasing concentrations of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, P, S, or Zn in mammary secretions in concert with precipitous decreases in Na concentrations may provide a predictive index of impending parturition in the mare and a means of assessing fetal readiness for birth.
Publication Date: 1997-04-01 PubMed ID: 9099382
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article aims to examine the changes in mineral content of horse serum and mammary secretions around the time of giving birth, by using inductively coupled argon emission spectroscopy. The results suggest that the changing levels of minerals might be used as an indicator of when a horse is about to give birth and the preparation of the foetus for birth.
Methods
- The study involved 18 clinically normal Arabian broodmares that were around the time of giving birth.
- The researchers used a method known as inductively coupled argon emission spectroscopy to track the levels of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorous (P), and zinc (Zn) in both the serum and mammary secretions of the mares.
- Additionally, sulphur (S) was also measured in the mammary secretions.
Results
- The serum concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, and Zn remained stable throughout late pregnancy and the first 7 days after giving birth.
- The levels of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, P, S, and Zn in the mammary secretions increased before giving birth, compared to 11 days before foaling. In contrast, these levels, except for Ca, dropped when the mare started producing milk.
- The levels of Na in the mammary secretions dropped significantly as the horses approached giving birth.
- Iron levels in the mammary secretions remained relatively stable until the mare gave birth, after which they dropped and stayed stable during the milk production phase.
Conclusions
- The results indicate that the rising levels of Ca, Cu, K, Mg, P, S, or Zn in a mare’s mammary secretions, along with a sharp decrease in Na levels, might collectively indicate that the mare is about to give birth. This could potentially be used to predict when a horse is about to give birth.
- This changing mineral profile could also be used to indicate that the foetus is ready for birth.
Cite This Article
APA
Rook JS, Braselton WE, Nachreiner RF, Lloyd JW, Shea ME, Shelle JE, Hitzler PR.
(1997).
Multi-element assay of mammary secretions and sera from periparturient mares by inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy.
Am J Vet Res, 58(4), 376-378.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calcium / analysis
- Calcium / blood
- Copper / analysis
- Copper / blood
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Iron / analysis
- Iron / blood
- Ivermectin / analogs & derivatives
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Labor, Obstetric / blood
- Labor, Obstetric / metabolism
- Labor, Obstetric / physiology
- Magnesium / analysis
- Magnesium / blood
- Mammary Glands, Animal / chemistry
- Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
- Manganese / analysis
- Manganese / blood
- Minerals / analysis
- Minerals / blood
- Potassium / analysis
- Potassium / blood
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Pregnancy
- Sodium / analysis
- Sodium / blood
- Spectrum Analysis / methods
- Spectrum Analysis / veterinary
- Zinc / analysis
- Zinc / blood
Citations
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