Potassium concentration in equine red blood cells: normal values and correlation with potassium levels in plasma.
Abstract: The concentration of potassium in plasma and in red blood cells was determined in 948 horses. The coefficient of correlation between the two parameters was low. In 436 of these horses, which were clinically healthy, the red blood cell potassium (RBCK+) levels did not fit within a normal distribution curve, but a bimodal distribution was observed with a section point at 90 mmol/litre. In 90 per cent of these normal horses, mean RBCK+ content was 97.5 mmol/litre. In the remaining 10 per cent, mean RBCK+ concentration was 93.8 mmol/litre. A subdivision into a 'low potassium group' and a 'high potassium group' was made. In 10 out of 15 horses in the 'low potassium group', bimonthly sampling over a period of one year showed that RBCK+ content remained low. In the remaining five horses an increase was observed.
Publication Date: 1984-09-01 PubMed ID: 6489306DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01974.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research studied the levels of potassium in the plasma and red blood cells of horses, focusing on the possible correlation between the two and identifying bimodal distribution in healthy horses.
Study Overview
- The study was a large-scale analysis, involving 948 horses, that involved measuring concentrations of potassium in plasma and red blood cells.
- Primarily, the aim was to establish normal values for potassium concentration in equine red blood cells and determine if there were any correlation between potassium levels in plasma and red blood cells.
Results – Correlation and Normal Values
- Initial observation showed a low correlation between the potassium levels in plasma and red blood cells. This indicates that the levels in each do not necessarily mirror each other and are possibly regulated by different mechanisms.
- Healthy horses – 436 in number – showed red blood cell potassium levels that did not fall within a typical normal distribution curve (which is a statistical curve where most occurrences take place in the middle of the distribution). Instead, these horses had a bimodal distribution – a distribution with two different peaks or modes.
Bimodal Distribution Details
- The study revealed that in 90% of the healthy horses, the mean red blood cell potassium concentration was 97.5 millimoles per litre, while in the remaining 10%, the mean concentration was notably lower, at 93.8 millimoles per litre.
- These findings led to a division into two distinct groups: a ‘low potassium group’ and a ‘high potassium group.’
Long-term Observations
- Further investigations with 15 horses from the ‘low potassium group’ were performed over a one-year period. The study found that for 10 of these horses, their low red blood cell potassium content remained stable over this span.
- However, for the remaining five horses, researchers observed a distinct increase over time, indicating some variability and complexity in the regulation of potassium levels in red blood cells within this group.
Cite This Article
APA
Muylle E, Van den Hende C, Nuytten J, Deprez P, Vlaminck K, Oyaert W.
(1984).
Potassium concentration in equine red blood cells: normal values and correlation with potassium levels in plasma.
Equine Vet J, 16(5), 447-449.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01974.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Erythrocytes / analysis
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses / blood
- Plasma / analysis
- Potassium / blood
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Sattler N, Fecteau G, Couture Y, Tremblay A. [[Determination of the potassium balances in diary cows and the examination of daily and lactation period-associated variations]. Can Vet J 2001 Feb;42(2):107-15.
- Gasthuys F, Vandamme R, De Moor A, De Meurichy W. Haemodynamic, metabolic and physical responses to a neuroleptanalgesic-glyceryl guaiacolate combination in the horse. Vet Res Commun 1989;13(2):113-26.
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