Ultrasonographic & biochemical analysis of thyroid bio-architecture for further pharmacological intervention in adult Arabian stallions & mares.

The study investigates the normal physiological parameters of the thyroid gland in Arabian horses with a view to improve disease diagnosis and drug administration. The researchers found that hormones and blood profiles vary between Arabian stallions and mares, and Arabians differ from other horse breeds. The findings can guide veterinarians in diagnostics and surgery, and suggest deiodinase inhibitors as a possible treatment for Arabian horses with hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.

Research Objective

• The main goal of this research was to explore the normal physiological parameters of Arabian horses particularly on the thyroid gland. The researchers aimed to provide vital information that can aid in disease diagnosis and appropriate drug administration. They also wished to assess the potential of deiodinase inhibitors as a treatment for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer amongst Arabian horses.

Methodology

• The study was conducted over a period from the beginning of March to mid-April, involving 14 Arabian stallions and 18 Arabian mares aged between 4 and 19 years.
• Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of these horses, and were used for various tests including a hematological profile, lipid profile, glucose-coagulation axis and thyroid profile.
• Ultrasonography was used to estimate the dimensions and volumes of the horses’ thyroid glands.

Findings

• The study reported unique findings suggesting that Arabian mares have significantly higher MCH and higher relative eosinophils compared to Arabian stallions, while Arabian stallions have significantly higher glucose levels.
• The Arabian horses showed a high level of Total T4 and a relatively low platelet count compared to other breeds.
• Sonographic results illustrated that the left lobe of the thyroid gland is larger than the right one in both genders, and the thyroid volumes in Arabian horses are larger compared to other horse breeds.

Implications

• The results of this study provide useful insights for veterinarians during diagnosis and thyroidectomy of the Arabian horses.
• The high levels of Total T4 might point to a potential use of deiodinase inhibitors as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer in these horses.
• This research also calls for caution in administering high plasma protein bounded drugs, particularly anticoagulants, to Arabian horses due to their distinctive bio-architecture.