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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(17); doi: 10.3390/ani14172598

The Effect of Different Storage Temperatures over Time on the pH of Mammary Gland Secretions in Periparturient Mares.

Abstract: The objectives of this study were (i) to determine pH and electrolyte concentrations in MGS collected prepartum and at parturition, (ii) to characterize mare milk pH during the first week postpartum, and (iii) to evaluate pre-foaling MGS pH at three storage temperatures. This study outlined two hypotheses: (i) all mares exhibit acidic pH, increased calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and reduced sodium concentrations regardless of prepartum pH and electrolytes; (ii) pre-foaling MGS pH varies with storage temperature and time in an initial value-dependent manner. Twenty-three multiparous mares were monitored daily from 320 days of gestation until parturition. Pre-foaling MGS was collected, and pH was immediately measured using a hand-held pH meter. Aliquots were preserved for further electrolyte analysis. Postpartum, samples from day -7 to 0 (day of foaling) were thawed, and electrolyte concentrations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) were determined. For the three storage temperatures, pH was measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after storage, and hourly for 10 h post-collection. A range of pH 8 to 6.5 was included to avoid bias towards a specific pH value. The chosen pH groups were 8 (range 7.8-8.2), 7.5 (range 7.3-7.7), 7 (6.7-7.2), and 6.5 (6.2-6.6). Overall, storage temperature affects pH (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the majority of the mares had sodium-potassium inversion and acidic pH at foaling. Milk pH is neutral up to four days after foaling, becoming slightly alkaline afterwards, with undetermined clinical significance. The pH of MGS showed minimal variation across storage temperatures, except for pH ~7.5, which increased to ~8 post-storage. This study is the first to address these physiological and practical questions about MGS pH in periparturient mares.
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Publication Date: 2024-09-06 PubMed ID: 39272384PubMed Central: PMC11394583DOI: 10.3390/ani14172598Google 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 research investigates how storage temperatures affect the pH level of mare Mammary Gland Secretions (MGS) pre and postpartum. It also examines the concentrations of various electrolytes in the MGS and how they fluctuate throughout the foaling process. The study found that most mares had an acidic pH at foaling, which changed to neutral and slightly alkaline in the postpartum period. Variations in storage temperatures had minimal influence on MGS pH, except at a pH of around 7.5 which shifted to about 8 after storage.

Methodology and Objectives

  • The study’s first goal was to measure the pH and electrolyte (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) levels in the MGS of mares pre and post-foaling.
  • The second aspect was to track the changes in mare milk pH in the first week after foaling.
  • An additional aim was to assess the effect of different storage temperatures on the pH of pre-foaling MGS.
  • Twenty-three mares in late stages of gestation were closely monitored, and their MGS collected for pH measurement and further evaluation.
  • For the storage temperature evaluation, pH levels were checked at set intervals after the samples were stored.

Hypotheses and Findings

  • Two hypotheses were tested: one, that all mares would display acidic pH and altered electrolyte concentrations irrespective of pre-foaling levels; second, that the pH of pre-foaling MGS would change with storage temperature and time depending on initial values.
  • Results demonstrated that most mares manifested a sodium-potassium inversion and acidic pH at the time of foaling.
  • Investigations revealed that in the early postpartum days, milk pH was neutral and eventually became slightly alkaline, the clinical significance of which remains undetermined.
  • Contrary to the second hypothesis, changes in storage temperatures showed minimal effect on MGS pH except for a certain pH value, around 7.5, which notably increased following storage to approximately 8.

Significance of the Study

  • This research is the first attempt to address such physiological and practical aspects concerning the pH of mare MGS during the periparturient period.
  • This provides valuable understanding about the intricate hormonal, physiological, and biochemical changes occurring in mares around the time of foaling and how they’re influenced by external factors such as storage temperature.

The findings provide an important basis for further investigation into the clinical implications of such changes and their impact on the health and welfare of mares and their offspring.

Cite This Article

APA
Canisso IF, Amorim GBAG, Magalhaes HB. (2024). The Effect of Different Storage Temperatures over Time on the pH of Mammary Gland Secretions in Periparturient Mares. Animals (Basel), 14(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14172598

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 17

Researcher Affiliations

Canisso, Igor F
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Amorim, Gabrielle B A G
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 01049-010, Brazil.
Magalhaes, Humberto B
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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