AGE-related differences in the hematological profile of Andalusian broodmares of Carthusian strain

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Normal hematological values need to be defined for each equine breed and age in order to increase diagnostic precision. No published data on hematology exist for Carthusian horses. This research compares the hematological characteristics of pregnant Carthusian broodmares of different ages. Forty-four pregnant Carthusian broodmares were divided into three age Groups: A (4-7 years; n = 18), B (8-12; n = 15) and C (13-17; n = 11). Jugular blood samples were taken every 14 days during pregnancy and data were pooled for each animal. The following hematological variables were determined: red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HCT), volumetric indices, white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT). Furthermore, the numbers and percentages of lymphocytes (LYMP), band (BNL) and total neutrophils (NL), eosinophils (EOS), monocytes (MON), basophils (BAS) and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N/L) were counted on blood smears. Total serum protein concentrations (TSP) were also measured. The lower values of RBC, WBC, LYMP and PLT in the older broodmares (Group C) possibly reflected a decline in bone marrow activity. The lower RBC of these mares was compensated by an increased MCV. The higher NL values in Group C, both BNL and NL, could have represented subclinical infections, since these animals also presented the highest TSP. Likewise, the animals of Group C showed the highest EOS counts. This research demonstrated that ageing significantly influences the hematological values of Carthusian broodmares, with the most marked differences in mares older than 13 years and that these physiological variations must be taken into account in a clinical context.

Influence of reproductive cycle, sex, age and season on haematologic parameters in domestic animals: A review

“…This is in consonant with the finding in New Zealand rabbit in Nigeria (Olayemi and Nottidge, 2007). Furthermore, lower TLC and lymphocyte count in older pregnant Andalusian Carthusian strain were documented (Satue et al, 2009). …”

Genetic analysis of haematological and plasma biochemical parameters in the Spanish purebred horse exercised on a treadmill

“…Thus, the reference limits obtained by them in RBC, Hb, Hc and LDH (Muñ oz et al, 2012) were lower in their upper limit than those observed in this study (Muñ oz et al, 2012). Similarly, RBC, Hb and Hc reference values, were higher than the normal values shown by other authors for untrained SPBs (Escribano et al, 1995;Rubio et al, 1995 and1996;Satue et al, 2009). However, with the exception of the reference value for the Hc, all the haematological and biochemical parameters studied were inside the reference limits described by Muñ oz et al (2012) for the adult SPB.…”

Physiological Factors in the Interpretation of Equine Hematological Profile

“…Between 3 and 4 years of age, there was a gradual increase in MCV and MCH and since HB and PCV remained unchanged during this period, the increase in MCV was accompanied by a slight reduction in RBC. In Carthusian pregnant mares and in Spanish Purebred horses, Hernández et al (2008) and Satué et al (2009) found a reduction of RBC with a compensatory increase in MCV and MCH associated with aging. These results agree with those presented for other equine breeds, such as Standardbreds (Jain, 1986;Ralston et al, 1988), Lipizziano (Cebulj-Kadunc et al, 2002) and wild horses (Plotka et al, 1988).…”

“…However, the results of research in this field are subjected to controversy. Males have slightly higher RBC, HB and PCV, while females have higher MCH and MCHC (Jain, 1986;Hernández et al, 2008;Satué et al, 2009). By contrast, Gill and Rastawicka (1986) observed in Thoroughbred racehorses and Quarter Horses that RBC, PCV and HB were higher in mares than in males.…”

“…The influence of age on hematological parameters have been evaluated in different horse breeds (Ralston et al, 1988;McFarlane et al, 1998;Cebulj-Kadunc et al, 2002;Satué, 2004;Hernández et al, 2008;Satué et al, 2009). Most of the studies on age with hematology have focused on foals from birth to 4 years of age (Harvey et al, 1984;Jain, 1993), even though geriatric horses have received much attention recently, probably because of the increase of the age population (McFarlane et al, 1998).…”