Reference intervals for selected hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses.
Abstract: Hucul horses are the unique, genetically distinct breed of Carpathian Mountains. Even though they are recognized as primitive breed, many morphological differences between them and other primitive horses have been reported. Neither hematological nor blood biochemical studies in this breed have been conducted so far. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the reference intervals for basic hematological and selected biochemical variables and to compare them with other breeds. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 168 Hucul horses and the analyses were performed using routine methods. Mainly nonparametric method was used to establish reference intervals. Results: The following reference intervals have been established (rounded to two significant digits): RBC: 7.0-13×1012/l; HGB: 106.1-195.8 g/l; HCT: 0.3-0.6 l/l; MCV: 35-50 fl; MCH 11.9-17.1 pg; MCHC: 31.9-34.8 g/dl; WBC: 7.5-22×109/l, bands: 0-0.5×109/l; segmented neutrophils: 3.3-10×109/l; eosinophils: 0-1.1×109/l; basophils: 0-0.3×109/l; lymphocytes: 1.9-12×109/l; monocytes: 0-0.2×109/l; PLT 95-350×109/l; MPV 5.2-7.0; ALP: 98-425 U/l; AST: 220-470 U/l; GGT: 9.1-31 U/l; total bilirubin: 6.5-29 μmol/l; CPK: 120-640 U/l; triglycerides: 0.1-0.9 mmol/l; urea: 3.8-11 mmol/l; creatinine: 44 -140 μmol/l; serum amyloid A: 130-5200 μg/l. Conclusions: Hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses were closer to hot-blooded then to cold-blooded and primitive horses or wild equidae. The reference intervals presented in this study pose clinically useful tool for evaluation of blood check-up in Hucul horses.
Publication Date: 2015-07-15 PubMed ID: 26172196DOI: 10.1515/pjvs-2015-0056Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The article presents a research study about the reference intervals for basic hematological and selected biochemical variables in Hucul horses. It shows that the breed’s medical stats are similar to hot-blooded versus cold-blooded horses, offering a template for evaluating horse health moving forward.
Research Purpose
- The research main aim was to establish reference intervals for basic hematological (related to blood) and selected biochemical variables in Hucul horses.
- The study also aimed to compare these variables with those of other horse breeds.
Method
- Blood samples were taken from 168 Hucul horses and analyzed using standard methods.
- The analyses focused on several elements including RBC (Red Blood Cells), HGB (Hemoglobin), HCT (Hematocrit), MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume), MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin), MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration), WBC (White Blood Cells), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), AST (Aspartate Transaminase), GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase), triglycerides, urea, creatinine, and serum amyloid A.
- Mostly a non-parametric method was used to establish the reference intervals (ranges of normal values).
Results
- The results gave specific reference intervals for each blood and biochemical variable studied.
- For instance, red blood cell concentration was found to be between 7.0-13×1012/l, Hemoglobin was between 106.1-195.8 g/l, total bilirubin was 6.5-29 μmol/l, among other results.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that the hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses are closer to those of hot-blooded than to cold-blooded and primitive horses or wild equidae.
- This information provides a useful clinical tool for evaluating blood tests in Hucul horses, helping to establish a baseline of what is considered normal for this specific breed of horse from the Carpathian Mountains.
Cite This Article
APA
Cywińska A, Czopowicz M, Witkowski L, Górecka R, Degórski A, Guzera M, Szczubełek P, Turło A, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A.
(2015).
Reference intervals for selected hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses.
Pol J Vet Sci, 18(2), 439-445.
https://doi.org/10.1515/pjvs-2015-0056 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
- Erythrocyte Count / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / metabolism
- Leukocyte Count / veterinary
- Liver / enzymology
- Male
- Platelet Count / veterinary
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Pires MJ, Cotovio M, Queiroga F, Pires CA, Silvestre-Ferreira AC. Reference Intervals for Biochemical Analytes in Clinically Healthy Adult Lusitano Horses. Vet Sci 2025 Jul 11;12(7).
- Harari S, Deretz S, Dumont Saint Priest B, Richard E, Ricard A. Comparison of blood parameters in two genetically different groups of horses for functional longevity in show jumping. Front Genet 2024;15:1455790.
- Sawesi OK, Elbaz AK, Mahmoud AS, Duro EM, Alteab AA, Milad KK, Bennuor EM. Hematological reference values of horses in Western Libya and their relationship to breed, age, and management. Open Vet J 2023 Dec;13(12):1696-1707.
- Bażanów B, Pawęska JT, Pogorzelska A, Florek M, Frącka A, Gębarowski T, Chwirot W, Stygar D. Serological Evidence of Common Equine Viral Infections in a Semi-Isolated, Unvaccinated Population of Hucul Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Cywińska A, Michlik-Połczyńska K, Czopowicz M, Strzelec K, Biazik A, Parzeniecka-Jaworska M, Crisman M, Witkowski L. Variations in haematological and biochemical parameters in healthy ponies. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jan 19;17(1):38.
- Bażanów BA, Chełmecka E, Romuk E, Stygar DM. Basic Studies on the Oxidative Stress Markers in Two Types of Horse Breed: Semi-isolated Population of Huculs Is Different from Commercially Used Arabian Horses. Biomed Res Int 2020;2020:7542384.
- Long A, Nolen-Walston R. Equine Inflammatory Markers in the Twenty-First Century: A Focus on Serum Amyloid A. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2020 Apr;36(1):147-160.
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz OD, Żmigrodzka M, Winnicka A, Miśkiewicz A, Strzelec K, Cywińska A. Serum amyloid A in equine health and disease. Equine Vet J 2019 May;51(3):293-298.
- Shawaf T, Hussen J, Al-Zoubi M, Hamaash H, Al-Busadah K. Impact of season, age and gender on some clinical, haematological and serum parameters in Shetland ponies in east province, Saudi Arabia. Int J Vet Sci Med 2018 Jun;6(1):61-64.
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