Serum biochemical profile of Pêga breed donkeys in the state of Minas Gerais

Abstract

For the evaluation of serum biochemical parameters of Pêga breed donkeys (Equus asinus), for the different age groups and sex, blood samples of 123 animals were analyzed, of 29 males aged from 8 days to 10 years and of 94 females (15 lactating) aged from 2 days to 12 years, from two farms in the central-southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The donkeys were divided by age into 5 groups: Group 1 (≤6 months), Group 2 (7-12 months), Group 3 (13-48 months), Group 4 (49-72 months), and Group 5 (≥73 months). According to the sex, they were divided into two groups, males and females. Serum biochemical elements: total protein, albumin, globulin, the A:G ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, creatinine, urea, phosphorus, calcium, Ca:P ratio, magnesium, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatine kinase (CK), were evaluated in all animals. No significant differences were found for globulins, uric acid, urea and A:G ratio between age groups. Group 4 showed the highest values for total protein when compared with animals in Group 1 and 2. In Goup 2, the donkeys showed albumin levels lower than Group 3 and 4. Group 1 they had cholesterol levels higher than those in Group 2 and 4, and similar of the other groups. Higher phosphorus serum concentration was observed in Group 1. Calcium was significantly lower in Group 2. The Ca:P ratio was higher for Group 5. The magnesium values were significantly higher in donkeys older than 49 months (Group 4 and 5). The value of AST was lower for group 1. The ALP enzyme was significantly higher in younger animals up to 12 months, followed by gradual decrease with advancing age. The values of GGT were higher in donkeys up to 6 months, followed by decreasing values for subsequent groups. No differences were found between genders for albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, urea, uric acid, Ca:P ratio, magnesium, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase. Females had higher values for total protein, globulin and triglycerides. Males showed higher values for A:G ratio, phosphorus, calcium and CK. The results showed that age and sex can influence serum biochemical values of Pêga breed donkeys.

Serum Cortisol and Its Correlation with Leucocyte Profile and Circulating Lipids in Donkeys (Equus asinus)

“…Triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the young compared to adults. Similar findings have been reported by other authors [ 48 ]. Serum triglyceride levels in donkeys tend to increase with increasing body weight [ 49 ].…”

Allergic Dermatitis in Pêga Breed Donkeys (Equus asinus) Caused by Culicoides Bites in the Amazon Biome, Pará, Brazil

“…Herein, although most biochemical analytes were within the normal ranges for Pêga breed donkeys [30,31], the total and direct bilirubin levels were below the reference values. This finding did not present clinical significance, and pre-analytical factors should be considered, as bilirubin is photosensitive and samples were collected approximately 1 h away from the laboratory where they were processed, which could introduce interference.…”

The metabolic profile of Asinara (albino) and Sardo donkeys (pigmented) (Equus asinus L., 1758) points to unequivocal breed assignment of individuals

“…As for the donkey, only a few contributions report detailed effects of the dietary regime on comparative biochemical profile and health conditions, with emphasis on specific nutrient deficiencies ( Chiofalo et al, 2005 ; Cappai, Picciau & Pinna, 2013 ; Cappai et al, 2017 ; Girardi et al, 2013 ; Valle et al, 2017 , 2018 ). In fact, very little is known about reference intervals of circulating parameters for this species ( Zinkl et al, 1990 ; French & Patrick, 1995 ; Folch, Jordana & Cuenca, 1997 ; Mori et al, 2003 ; Caldin et al, 2005 ; Bana et al, 2011 ; Girardi et al, 2013 ; Laus et al, 2015 ; Burden et al, 2016 ; Da Silva et al, 2018 ; Santos et al, 2018 ; De Palo et al, 2018 ; Gloria et al, 2018 ; Barrio, Rickards & Thiemann, 2019 ). The interpretation of baseline levels of metabolites in free grazing donkeys through a comparative approach between albino and pigmented breeds is not reported in the present literature, to the best of our knowledge.…”