Hematological and biochemical indicators of maturity in foals and their relation to the placental features

Abstract

Newborn’s health is directly related to gestational conditions and placental efficiency. The aims of this study were: (1) To evaluate hematological and biochemical parameters of foals born from mares with placentitis at birth and at 24h of age, (2) to verify if placental pathology had any influence on neonatal maturity degree through hematological and biochemical response of those foals. According to placental findings (control and placentitis) and neonatal maturity degree (mature and immature), foals were divided into three groups: (1) Control group (n=22), foals born from mares with placentitis and classified as (2) Mature (n=26), and (3) Immature (n=10). The hematocrit and plasma concentration of fibrinogen, total plasma protein, white blood cells count, lactate, glucose, creatinine, urea, albumin, bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were measured. Placental features were significantly different between neonatal maturity degree (P=0.001). Mares that had acute placentitis foaled more immature neonates (n=8/10; 80%). Concentrations of fibrinogen (P=0.003), creatinine (P=0.021), total cholesterol (P=0.014), AST (P=0.001), GGT (P=0.002), total (P=0.001) and unconjugated bilirubin (P=0.010) were higher at birth in the Immature group, whereas albumin levels were lower (P=0.002). Foals born from mares with placentitis presented hyperlactatemia at 24h of age (P=0.002). Acute placentitis had an influence on the neonatal maturity, allowing an accelerated but incomplete fetal maturation. The monitoring of lactate, fibrinogen, creatinine, bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin, AST, and GGT levels, associated with clinical, physical, and behavior evaluation may contribute as indicators of neonatal maturity.

Red cell distribution width values and red cell distribution width‐to‐platelet ratio in Thoroughbred foals in the first 24 hours of life

“…A study evaluating RDW in human neonates has demonstrated that these values are negatively correlated to gestational length in all infants and remarkably higher in intrauterine‐restricted growth and premature neonates when compared to healthy full‐term newborns 21 . Higher MCV values have also been correlated to immaturity in neonatal foals born from mares with placentitis 33 . Here, we found that RDW had a negative correlation to gestational age, suggesting a link to foal maturity.…”

“…21 Higher MCV values have also been correlated to immaturity in neonatal foals born from mares with placentitis. 33 Here, we found that RDW had a negative correlation to gestational age, suggesting a link to foal maturity. We presume that a stronger correlation might be observed when evaluating the hematology in a larger number of animals, including premature foals.…”

“…31 Other biomarkers such as plasma lactate, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A (SAA) have been shown to correlate with perinatal disease in foals. 32,33 Although hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperlactatemia, and increased concentrations of SAA have been described in foals with systemic illness, [34][35][36] these parameters can be influenced by a variety of conditions. As a result, the lack of availability of these point-of-care diagnostics in the field in remote areas urges the identification of other, more accessible markers to aid in triage, diagnosis, and treatment of neonatal foals.…”

“…Blood culture is considered the gold standard for the detection of bacteria in presumed septic foals 31 . Other biomarkers such as plasma lactate, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A (SAA) have been shown to correlate with perinatal disease in foals 32,33 . Although hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperlactatemia, and increased concentrations of SAA have been described in foals with systemic illness, 34–36 these parameters can be influenced by a variety of conditions.…”