Reference Ranges for Hematological and Biochemical Profile of Martina Franca Donkeys

Serum Biochemistry Parameters of the Endangered Miranda's Donkey Breed: Reference Intervals and the Influence of Gender and Age

Miranda's donkey is an endangered, autochthone breed from Northern Portugal. Understanding the physiological and pathological conditions of Miranda's donkey is crucial for the conservation of the breed. Our study aimed to establish reference intervals (RIs) for blood biochemistry parameters and to evaluate the influence of gender and age on these parameters. Blood samples from 75 clinically healthy animals were analyzed for 21 blood biochemistry parameters using Respons® 920 and Start® 4-Diagnostica-Stago. RIs were calculated according to the ASVCP guidelines, utilizing Reference Advisor software V. 2.1 and the statistical program SPSS version 29 to analyze the effects of gender and age. Significant gender-related differences (p < 0.05) were observed in cholesterol, chlorine, creatinine (CREA), glucose (GLU), sodium, and triglycerides (with higher values in females) and in aspartate aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase (CK), gamma-glutamyl transferase, potassium, magnesium (Mg), and urea (with higher values in males). Age-related differences (p < 0.05) were noted for alkaline phosphatase, CK, fibrinogen, GLU, and phosphorus (higher in young animals) and for globulin, Mg, and total protein (higher in adults). The RIs described here are invaluable for assessing and monitoring the health status of individual animals and herds. Our study highlights the importance of considering gender and age in the interpretation of biochemical parameters, providing critical insights for the conservation and management of this endangered breed.

Hematology and clinical chemistry in mule foals from birth to two months of age: A preliminary study

In horses and donkeys, age-related changes in hematological and biochemical parameters preclude the use of normal values of adults in the evaluation of foals. This study aimed to obtain data on hematological and biochemical parameters of mule foals from birth up to the second month of life and to assess age-related changes in order to determine if dedicated reference ranges are required in younger animals. Blood samples from seven healthy mule foals were obtained at birth before colostrum consumption, 24 h, 48 h of life, and then weekly until the second month of life. Results were expressed as mean and standard deviation or median, minimum, and maximum values if showing non-gaussian distribution. Kruskal-Walls and Dunn tests were used to verify the differences among sampling times. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Red blood cell count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin decreased from 24 h to one week of age. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin decreased over the first month. White blood cells increased from birth to seven days of life. Aspartate amino transferase increased while alkaline phosphatase decreased in the first week of life. Urea, creatinine, and lactate decreased, while glucose concentrations increased at 24 h. Ionized calcium and magnesium and total sodium and potassium showed no changes. In mule foals, several laboratory parameters may be the same or intermediate, lower or higher than in equine or donkey foals, but also compared to all other adult species. The preliminary results suggest that for mule foals, age influences hematological and biochemical parameters.

Establishment of Reference Intervals of Hematological Parameters and Evaluation of Sex and Age Effect in the Miranda Donkey

The Miranda donkey is an autochthonous Portuguese breed that is considered endangered. Several studies have been carried out on this breed, but to the authors' best knowledge, no studies have been conducted on their clinical pathology. The aims of this study were to determine the hematological reference intervals (RIs) in healthy Miranda donkeys and to estimate the influence of age and sex. Blood samples from 75 clinically healthy animals were analyzed for 22 hematological parameters on the IDEXX ProCyte Dx, an automated hematology analyzer previously validated for the species. The RIs were estimated following the ASVCP guidelines with the Reference Value Advisor software. Regarding sex, no significant differences were found between groups. Regarding age, significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) were observed for red blood cells, red cell distribution width, white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, plateletcrit (higher mean in young animals), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, neutrophils and eosinophils (higher mean in adults). The RIs described here can be used to evaluate and monitor the health status of animals and herds, as well as to guide diagnoses or select fit and healthy animals for reproduction, contributing to the preservation of the breed.

Haematology, biochemistry and morphological features of peripheral blood cells in captive Boa constrictor

The common boa (Boa constrictor) belongs to the family Boidae and represents one of the most popular traded and kept snake species in captivity. The early diagnosis, prevention and prophylaxis of diseases in this species, and in reptiles in general, still pose major challenges, also due to the lack of reliable reference values. This prompted us to conduct a study on clinically healthy captive B. constrictor to assess their basic health parameters in the blood (haematological and biochemical values, stress markers). Several parameters differed significantly between younger (<3 years) and older (≥3 years) boas; in the latter, the percentages of eosinophils, the haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, as well as the albumin and total protein levels, were higher. In male snakes, cholesterol levels were significantly higher than in females. Light and electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry served to identify and determine the morphological features of peripheral blood cells, that is, heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, azurophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, thrombocytes and erythrocytes. Leukocyte subpopulations, that is, T and B cells and monocytes, were also identified based on specific marker expression. The study provides data on haematological, biochemical and stress hormone levels, suitable as reference values, and on the blood cell morphology of B. constrictor which can serve as a guideline for further research on this species.

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

The values for basal serum cortisol concentrations of horses are available in many studies. However, there are limited data about serum cortisol in donkeys. The present study aimed to determine the baseline values for serum cortisol, to evaluate the influence of age and pregnancy on its levels, and to correlate its values with leucocyte profile, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serum samples were collected from 97 healthy donkeys. Cortisol was analyzed by chemo-luminescent assay. The median and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum cortisol measured and calculated in all donkeys were 5.64, 3.40, and 10.54 µg/dL, respectively. Females (n.91) were divided into three groups: Group A (young), Group B (adult), and Group C (pregnant at the 9th−11th months). The effect of age and physiological status was investigated by the Mann−Whitney test. Group C showed significantly higher levels than Group B (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found in Group B with monocytes (r = 0.37, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.30, p < 0.05), and in Group C with monocytes (r = 0.79, p < 0.01), basophils (r = 0.6, p < 0.05), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (r = −0.63, p < 0.05). Higher cortisol values related to late pregnancy are also found in this species. These preliminary results provide evidence for a relationship between cortisol and the immune system as well as cortisol and lipid metabolism modulated by age and pregnancy when parameters are within normal values.

Effects of the Physiological Status and Diet on Blood Metabolic Parameters in Amiata Dairy Donkeys

Simple Summary

This study investigated the physiological responses of donkeys feeding two different diets during maintenance, pregnancy and lactation. To investigate how the metabolic state influences dairy production, we also assessed the relationships between the blood metabolic profile and milk quality. We found that pregnancy and the first months of lactation led to lower feed intake and increases in blood non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), which was linked to the difficulty that the jennies have in meeting the higher energy needs. The intake of the concentrate in the diet was associated with the increase in blood glucose, both during maintenance and lactation. Higher NEFA were related to lower de novo synthesized milk fatty acids, whereas higher plasma B-HBA were related to higher somatic cell count. This paper contributes to the knowledge of physiological responses of jennies during milk production phases and provides information for donkey milk producers.

Abstract

Body weight changes and blood metabolic parameters in jennies feeding two different diets and in three physiological statuses were investigated (maintenance vs. pregnancy; maintenance vs. lactation). The relationships between blood metabolic profile and milk quality were also evaluated. Fourteen jennies were allocated to two groups (1: pregnant/lactating; 2: non-pregnant, non–lactating). Pregnant jennies and maintenance jennies (during the first 10-week measurement period) fed a diet consisted of ad libitum grass hay (diet 1); lactating jennies and maintenance jennies (during the last 10-week measurement period) fed ad libitum grass hay plus 2 kg/head/day of concentrate (diet 2). Blood sampling was performed on the jennies of both groups; individual milk samples were also collected during the first 70 days in milk. Higher blood NEFA (p < 0.05) were found in pregnant compared to maintenance jennies (diet 1) (68 vs. 37 μmol/L). Lactating jennies showed higher (p < 0.01) average blood NEFA (268 vs. 26 μmol/L) and glucose (66 vs. 55 mg/dL) compared to the maintenance (diet 2). Blood glucose was positively correlated to milk fat (p < 0.05), while negative significant correlations between de novo milk fatty acids and NEFAs were observed. Positive correlations between plasma B-HBA and somatic cell count (p < 0.01) were also found.