Selected hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of Paso Fino horses living at different altitudes.
Abstract: This study aimed at describing selected hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of adult horses living at sea level and comparing them to those living at 5 different altitudes. One hundred and thirty-eight healthy Paso Fino horses > 2 years old were enrolled. Altitudes included the following: altitude A (0 to 50 m above sea level, masl; n = 23), B (1000 to 1050 masl; n = 25), C (1450 masl; n = 30), D (1950 to 2050 masl; n = 30), and E (2950 to 3100 masl; n = 30). A portable blood gas analyzer was used to determine selected biochemical and acid-base variables. Hematocrit (Htc) was measured by blood centrifugation and total plasma protein as total solids using a refractometer. A one-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post hoc test or a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, depending of the normality of the data, was conducted to compare groups. Horses at sea level had lower Htc (25% ± 2) and Hb (8 ± 0.8 mg/dL) concentration than those horses living ≥ 1000 masl (P < 0.05, for all comparisons). No differences in Htc and Hb were identified in horses living between 1000 and 3000 masl (P > 0.05, for all comparisons). The venous PCO was significantly lower in horses living at altitudes ≥ 1000 masl than those living at 0 masl (42 ± 4.8 mmHg) (P = 0.001, for all comparisons). No differences in PCO were identified in horses living between 1000 and 3000 masl. This study showed that the Htc, Hb, and PCO of horses living at sea level were different compared to those in healthy horses living at altitudes ≥ 1000 masl. However, differences in TPP and electrolyte concentrations were not identified.
Publication Date: 2020-11-17 PubMed ID: 33205300DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02449-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of adult Paso Fino horses living at sea level and at higher altitudes. The findings reveal that these variables differ between horses living at sea level and those at altitudes ≥ 1000 meters above sea level, but not between horses living between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level.
Study Overview and Methodology
- The research aimed to understand the physiological differences between Paso Fino horses that live at sea level and those that live at various higher altitudes.
- A total of 138 healthy Paso Fino horses, all over two years of age, were enrolled for the study.
- The team conducted the study at different altitudes ranging from sea level to a maximum of 3100 meters above sea level.
- The researchers used a portable blood gas analyzer to determine the biochemical and acid-base variables. Hematocrit (Hct) levels were measured through blood centrifugation, and total plasma protein was measured using a refractometer.
Major Findings
- The study revealed that horses at sea level had lower Hematocrit (Hct – a measure of the percentage of red blood cells in the blood) and Hemoglobin (Hb – a protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood) concentration compared to horses living at altitudes of 1000 meters above sea level or higher.
- However, no significant differences in Hct and Hb levels were seen in horses living between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level.
- The researchers also found that venous Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (PCO – a measure of the amount of CO2 in the blood) was significantly lower in horses living at altitudes over 1000 meters above sea level compared to those at sea level.
- Again, no significant differences in PCO levels were observed in horses living at altitudes between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level.
- The study did not identify any significant changes in Total Plasma Protein (TPP – a measure of the amount of protein in the blood) and electrolyte concentrations across the different altitude categories.
Implications of the Study
- The study shows that there are physiological differences between horses living at sea level and those at higher altitudes.
- These variations could be adaptive responses to changes in environmental pressure with increasing altitude.
- Understanding these differences could improve veterinary care for horses living at different altitudes and help design equine training and management strategies customized for such varied conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Jaramillo C, Arias MP, Mosqueda D, Darby S, Renaud D, Gómez DE.
(2020).
Selected hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of Paso Fino horses living at different altitudes.
Trop Anim Health Prod, 53(1), 8.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02449-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad CES, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia.
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad CES, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. dgomezni@uoguelph.ca.
MeSH Terms
- Acid-Base Equilibrium
- Altitude
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
- Colombia
- Female
- Hematologic Tests / veterinary
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Water-Electrolyte Balance
Grant Funding
- 22623 / Fundacion universitaria lasallista
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