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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Sci / Reference Intervals for Biochemical Analytes in Clinically H...
Veterinary sciences2025; 12(7); 656; doi: 10.3390/vetsci12070656

Reference Intervals for Biochemical Analytes in Clinically Healthy Adult Lusitano Horses.

Abstract: To date, serum biochemical analytes reference intervals (RIs) in Lusitano horses have not been studied. This study aimed to establish the RIs for biochemical analytes following the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines and to compare them with the general equine population's RIs. Blood samples were collected from 76 clinically healthy adult Lusitano horses, and RIs of 22 biochemical variables were determined using Reference Value Advisor software. Lusitano horse-specific RIs are proposed for the following variables: total protein (3.9-7.0 g/dL), albumin (2.5-3.8 g/dL), globulin (1.1-3.7 g/dL), total bilirubin (1.0-5.6 mg/dL), direct bilirubin (0.09-0.68 mg/dL), indirect bilirubin (0.7-5.2 mg/dL), urea (21.0-38.9 mg/dL), creatinine (0.9-2.0 mg/dL), aspartate aminotransferase (150.7-345.1 IU/L), alkaline phosphatase (60.7-227.4 IU/L), lactate dehydrogenase (247.6-959.0 IU/L), glucose (75.5-131.5 mg/dL), cholesterol (58.6-125.2 mg/dL), sodium (129.0-154.9 mmol/L), phosphorus (1.8-4.5 mmol/L), chloride (90.3-107.0 mmol/L), and calcium (8.9-12.6 mg/dL). Different RIs were identified for healthy adult Lusitano horses for 17/22 serum biochemical analytes tested, emphasizing the need for breed-specific RIs to prevent misinterpretation of laboratory results.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-11 PubMed ID: 40711317PubMed Central: PMC12297940DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12070656Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research provides new insights into the appropriate reference intervals (RIs) for serum biochemical analytes in clinically healthy adult Lusitano horses. The study emphasizes the need for breed-specific reference intervals to avoid incorrect interpretation of lab results.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary goal of this study was to determine the specific RIs for biochemical analytes in Lusitano horses, a popular breed originating from Portugal. Prior to this, no scientific investigation addressed this particular breed’s biochemical norms.
  • The researchers followed the guidelines of the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology in conducting the study, intending to compare their findings with the general equine population’s RIs.

Methods

  • The researchers collected blood samples from 76 clinically healthy adult Lusitano horses.
  • They used Reference Value Advisor software to determine the RIs of 22 biochemical variables, including total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, cholesterol, sodium, phosphorus, chloride, and calcium.

Findings

  • The researchers were able to propose Lusitano-specific RIs for each of the analyzed variables, presenting values that define normal ranges for these horses.
  • Differences were identified between these breed-specific results and generalized equine RIs, suggesting significant differences in the biochemical makeup specific to each breed. This captured distinction emphasizes the need to conduct breed-specific studies to avoid incorrect interpretation of diagnostic tests.

Implications

  • The findings from this research are impactful as failures in interpreting laboratory results due to the absence of breed-specific RIs could lead to incorrect diagnoses or treatment strategies.
  • These breed-specific RIs offer veterinary practitioners a critical tool for diagnosing and treating diseases affecting Lusitano horses, helping them make more accurate clinical judgments.
  • Future research could expand to other specific breeds, incorporating a broader variety of biochemical analytes and larger sample sizes to refine the RIs further.

Cite This Article

APA
Pires MJ, Cotovio M, Queiroga F, Pires CA, Silvestre-Ferreira AC. (2025). Reference Intervals for Biochemical Analytes in Clinically Healthy Adult Lusitano Horses. Vet Sci, 12(7), 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070656

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 7
PII: 656

Researcher Affiliations

Pires, Maria João
  • Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • CITAB, Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Cotovio, Mário
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal.
  • CECAV-Veterinary and Animal Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Queiroga, Felisbina
  • Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • CITAB, Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • CECAV-Veterinary and Animal Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Pires, Carlos André
  • Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, Largo D. Dinis, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal.
Silvestre-Ferreira, Ana C
  • Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • CECAV-Veterinary and Animal Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.

Grant Funding

  • UIDB/00772 / Fundau00e7u00e3o para a Ciu00eancia e Tecnologia
  • UID/04033 / Fundau00e7u00e3o para a Ciu00eancia e Tecnologia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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