Serum amyloid A protein (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and selected hematological and biochemical parameters in wild mares before and after parturition.

This research article investigates how the birth process affects certain bloodstream parameters in female horses. The findings are based on a comparison of horses living in the wild and those housed in stables.

Study Objective and Methodology

• The primary aim of the study was to unearth physiological changes in blood components of female horses, often referred to as mares, during the perinatal period—the time around their birth process.
• The researchers collected blood samples from 24 pregnant Polish Konik breed mares, which were segregated into two groups based on their living conditions. Group I consisted of wild mares living freely in a reserve while Group II comprised stabled mares.
• Blood was collected four-times during the experiment: two weeks before parturition, 24 hours after delivery, and on the 7th and 21st day post-foaling.

Results Before Parturition

• The comparison of the two groups depicted no significant differences in terms of White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), and hemoglobin (Hb).
• Significant differences were however discovered for Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), lymphocytes (LYM), neutrophils (NEU), and segmented neutrophils (SEG NEU).

Results After Parturition

• In Group II (stabled mares), 24 hours after the birth process and on the 21st day, an important increase was noticed in the levels of WBC, NEU, and SEG NEU.
• No significant variations were observed when assessing serum concentrations of Total Proteins (TP), Albumin (Alb), and Globulin (Glb).
• Concerning acute-phase proteins, a significant increase was noticed in Serum Amyloid A protein (SAA) and Haptoglobin (Hp) after 24 hours post-parturition in both groups.

Conclusion

• This research unveiled that, during the perinatal period, certain amounts of fluctuations occurred in the hematological parameters, in serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins, and total proteins in mares.
• Despite these changes, all parameters remained within their physiological range, denoting that they do not indicate potential susceptibility to disorders during the perinatal period.