Serum biochemical reference intervals for the Polish Konik horse (Equus cabalus gmelini Ant.).
Abstract: Establishment of reference intervals (RI) for serum biochemical analytes is important for monitoring the health of different breeds of horses. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure and report RI for serum biochemical analytes of the Polish Konik horse. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 74 clinically healthy Polish Konik horses living under controlled natural conditions. These were adult primitive horses, aged 3-15 years, including 28 males (21 stallions, 7 geldings) and 46 mares. Serum analytes were measured and analyzed using a commercial automated analyzer. Results: The following RI (medians) were comparable to previously published RI in horses: albumin 34.8-41.3 g/L (38.0); ALP 124-309 U/L (216); ALT 6-33 U/L (19); AST 300-566 U/L (433); calcium 2.8-3.2 mmol/L (3.0); chloride 95-102 mmol/L (99); cholesterol 2.1-3.4 mmol/L (2.7); CK 167-488 U/L (328); creatinine 101-170 μmol/L (136); glucose 2.7-5.3 mmol/L (4.0); lipase 303-1143 U/L (723); magnesium 0.8-1.0 mmol/L (0.9); phosphate 0.9-1.5 mmol/L (1.2); potassium 2.4-5.0 mmol/L (3.7); sodium 138-144 mmol/L (141); total bilirubin 8-16 μmol/L (11.7); total protein 63.5-78.9 g/L (71.2); triglycerides 0.0-0.3 mmol/L (0.1); urea 2.2-7.3 mmol/L (4.7). Conclusions: Reference intervals established in this study provide a valuable preliminary baseline for assessment of serum analytes in healthy Polish Konik horses.
© 2012 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
Publication Date: 2012-12-31 PubMed ID: 23278530DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12020Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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.
This research studies and establishes the normal range of key blood-based measures or ‘serum biochemical analytes’ in the Polish Konik horse breed.
Objective and Significance of the Study
- The main objective of the study was to establish the reference intervals (RI) for several serum biochemical analytes for the Polish Konik horse breed. A reference interval is the range of values for a blood-based measure within which a healthy individual of a particular species or breed should fall.
- Monitoring these biochemical measures is significant in maintaining health and diagnosing possible diseases in horses.
- This study acts as a preliminary guide to determine if the health of a Polish Konik horse is within established norms.
Methodology
- Blood samples were collected from 74 Polish Konik horses that were clinically healthy. Their ages ranged from 3 to 15 years.
- The group included 28 males (21 stallions and 7 geldings) and 46 mares.
- These horses were living in controlled natural conditions, thus minimizing external health effects.
- The measurements of the analytes were done using an automated commercial analyzer, which lends scientific rigor to the measurements.
Results
- The study found that the RI for several analytes including albumin, ALP, ALT, AST, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, CK, creatinine, glucose, lipase, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, sodium, total bilirubin, total protein, triglycerides, and urea were within ranges comparable to those found in previously published studies about horses.
- Each analyte has a median value mentioned; this is the middle value of the data set for an analyte, representing a typical result.
Conclusion
- The reference intervals established through this research serve as an important baseline for assessing the health of Polish Konik horses.
- This could help veterinary practitioners in their diagnosis and care for this specific breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Niedźwiedź A, Jaworski Z, Filipowski H, Zawadzki M, Wrzosek M, Służewska-Niedźwiedź M, Nicpoń J.
(2012).
Serum biochemical reference intervals for the Polish Konik horse (Equus cabalus gmelini Ant.).
Vet Clin Pathol, 42(1), 66-69.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vcp.12020 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland. artur.niedzwiedz@up.wroc.pl
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Chemical Analysis / standards
- Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Poland
- Reference Standards
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 2 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).
- 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.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
