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Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(5); 958-964; doi: 10.1111/evj.13520

Serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration in healthy neonatal Thoroughbred foals.

Abstract: Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is widely used in other species as a marker of renal dysfunction and is considered a more sensitive indicator of glomerular filtration rate than creatinine. Reference ranges are established in healthy adult horses (≤14 μg/dL) and concentrations are increased in horses with acute kidney injury (median 32 μg/dL; range 15-92). Objective: To establish the normal range of SDMA concentrations in neonatal Thoroughbreds. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Blood samples were collected from Thoroughbred foals <36 h old deemed healthy by physical examination. Exclusion criteria included foals from mares undergoing treatment for placentitis and foals that developed clinical disease or died/euthanised <2 weeks from birth. Biochemistry and serum SDMA concentrations were obtained. Results: Subjects included 120 foals. Median age was 13.5 h (range 1.0-34.0). Median and 95% confidence interval for SDMA concentration was 69.0 µg/dL (63.0, 75.0; range 35.0-376.0). A cut-off value of 168 µg/dL would include 95% of individuals and is therefore suggested. Serum SDMA concentration was correlated with age (R = -.3, P = .003), creatinine concentration (R = .6, P ≤ .001) and urea concentration (R = .3, P = .002). Conclusions: Limitations include a small sample size, no consideration of subclinical disease and a short follow-up period. Conclusions: In equine neonates, SDMA concentration is higher than in adult horses, older foals and adults with acute kidney injury. Therefore, currently SDMA cannot be used as a marker of renal dysfunction in this age group. Further work is required to assess whether SDMA concentration is increased in neonates with renal disease and, if so, what cut-off should be used.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-20 PubMed ID: 34606121DOI: 10.1111/evj.13520Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study aimed to determine the normal range of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations in newborn Thoroughbred foals. The findings suggest that SDMA levels in neonate horses are higher than in adult horses, older foals, and adults with acute kidney injury, meaning SDMA can’t currently be used to indicate renal dysfunction in this age group.

Research Background

The research focused on symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), a biomarker that is generally used to denote renal dysfunction issues in various species. It is deemed as a more sensitive indicator of the glomerular filtration rate when compared to creatinine. In adult horses, reference ranges have been established for SDMA levels, with an increase noted in horses suffering from acute kidney injury.

Objective of the Study

The primary goal of the research was to establish the typical range of SDMA concentrations in newborn Thoroughbred horses called foals. The findings of this would add to the understanding and treatment of potential renal diseases in these horses.

Methodology and Findings

  • The study involved a cross-sectional methodology. Blood samples were drawn from Thoroughbred foals younger than 36 hours and visual examination deemed the animals healthy. Foals excluded from the study were ones born to mares undergoing treatment for placentitis or if the foals developed clinical disease or died/were euthanised within two weeks of birth.
  • A total of 120 foals were included in this study. Their median age was 13.5 hours. The median and 95% confidence interval for SDMA concentration was registered at 69.0 µg/dL.
  • The research suggests 168 µg/dL as the SDMA cut-off value. This would encompass 95% of individuals. They found SDMA concentration correlated with age, creatinine concentration, and urea concentration.

Conclusions and Limitations

  • The final conclusion drawn from the study indicates that SDMA concentration in equine neonates (young foals) is significantly higher than in adult horses, older foals, and even adult horses suffering from acute kidney injury. This suggests that at present, SDMA levels can’t be used as a renal dysfunction marker in newborn Thoroughbred foals.
  • However, the findings of the study remain limited due to a small sample size and lack of consideration for subclinical disease. Also, the follow-up period was relatively short.

Future Work

The researchers recommend further studies to identify whether SDMA concentration increases in neonates with kidney disease. If this is the case, determining what cut-off value should be used would also be essential.

Cite This Article

APA
Gough RL, McGovern KF. (2021). Serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration in healthy neonatal Thoroughbred foals. Equine Vet J, 54(5), 958-964. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13520

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 5
Pages: 958-964

Researcher Affiliations

Gough, Rachel L
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, UK.
McGovern, Kate F
  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, Newbury, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Biomarkers
  • Creatinine
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • Donnington Grove Veterinary Group

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Galen GV, Olsen E, Siwinska N. Biomarkers of Kidney Disease in Horses: A Review of the Current Literature. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 5;12(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192678pubmed: 36230418google scholar: lookup
  2. Camacho BE, Mitman SL, Foster DM, Halleran J. Validation of a reference interval for symmetric dimethylarginine in healthy goats and its comparison to values in goats with obstructive urolithiasis. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2807-2813.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17162pubmed: 39152724google scholar: lookup
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