Reference values for equine peritoneal fluid.
Abstract: Twenty horses, aged one to 17 years (mean age 6 years), presented for elective destruction and subsequently found at autopsy to have no significant peritoneal alterations, were used to determine a variety of reference values for peritoneal fluid. Samples were collected ante mortem or within 1 h post mortem. Each cavity contained 100 to 300 ml of usually clear, pale yellow fluid which in a clinical refractometer showed a mean specific gravity 1.010 (range 1.0081-1.0116) and mean (+/- standard deviation) total protein 7.7 +/- 3.6 g/litre. The mean total nucleated cell count (+/- sd) was 4.33 +/- 2.5 x 10(9)/litre (range 1.5-10.1 x 10(9)/litre) and, proportionally, polymorphonuclear leucocytes averaged 45.2 per cent, mononuclear phagocytes 47 per cent, lymphocytes 7.8 per cent, eosinophils 0.7 per cent and basophils and mast cells zero. Eosinophils were not usually seen but 6 samples had 1 to 5 per cent. The peritoneal fluid chemical profile (mean +/- sd) was: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 118.9 +/- 46.9 iu/litre; alkaline phosphatase (AP) 56.0 +/- 52.7 iu/litre; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 143.0 +/- 106.1 iu/litre; total bilirubin (TB) 8.0 +/- 6.2 mumol/litre; total protein (TP) (biuret method) 14.2 +/- 6.8 g/litre; urea nitrogen (BUN) 6.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/litre; glucose 7.7 +/- 1.8 mmol/litre; inorganic phosphate (IP) 1.4 +/- 0.5 mmol/litre; calcium 2.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/litre. TP, BUN, glucose and IP were closely correlated with levels in paired serum samples.
Publication Date: 1981-04-01 PubMed ID: 7250103DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1981.tb04140.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research focuses on establishing reference values, or norms, for various attributes of peritoneal fluid in healthy horses. Utilizing data from 20 horses with no apparent peritoneal abnormalities found during autopsy; components such as fluid color, specific gravity, total protein, nucleated cell count and chemical profile were analyzed to set baseline values.
Methodology and Sample Collection
- The study analyzed peritoneal fluid from 20 horses, with ages ranging from one to 17 years; the average age of these horses was six years.
- The horses were presented for elective destruction and were found to show no significant peritoneal alterations at autopsy.
- Fluid samples were collected from these horses either ante mortem (before death) or within one hour post mortem (after death).
Research Findings: Quality and Components of Fluid
- The cavities of the horses contained about 100-300 ml of mostly clear, pale yellow fluid.
- On average, the fluid showed a mean specific gravity of 1.010 and a mean total protein value of 7.7 g/litre.
- The mean total nucleated cell count (cells present in the fluid) was 4.33 x 10(9) per litre.
- Various cell types, including polymorphonuclear leucocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, were profiled and their proportional averages were noted for reference.
Research Findings: Chemical Profile of Fluid
- Various chemicals and compounds were profiled in the peritoneal fluid, including Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (AP), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Total bilirubin (TB), Total protein (TP), Urea nitrogen (BUN), Glucose, Inorganic phosphate (IP) and Calcium.
- Each chemical assessment showed variety in the average concentrations across samples, indicating a relative norm for healthy peritoneal fluid in horses.
- It was found that TP, BUN, glucose and IP levels in the peritoneal fluid correlated closely with levels found in paired serum samples.
Conclusion
- The study provides a set of normative values for peritoneal fluid in horses, detailing both physical attributes and chemical composition.
- This data acts as a reference point for veterinarians when studying equine health or diagnosing potential peritoneal disorders.
Cite This Article
APA
Brownlow MA, Hutchins DR, Johnston KG.
(1981).
Reference values for equine peritoneal fluid.
Equine Vet J, 13(2), 127-130.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1981.tb04140.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ascitic Fluid / analysis
- Horses / physiology
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Odelros E, Kendall A, Hedberg-Alm Y, Pringle J. Idiopathic peritonitis in horses: a retrospective study of 130 cases in Sweden (2002-2017). Acta Vet Scand 2019 Apr 25;61(1):18.
- Juzwiak JS, Ragle CA, Brown CM, Krehbiel JD, Slocombe RF. The effect of repeated abdominocentesis on peritoneal fluid constituents in the horse. Vet Res Commun 1991;15(3):177-80.
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