Determination of hematological and biochemical parameters in healthy Arabian and thoroughbred racehorses

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the differences in terms of race, age, and gender by examining the hemogram and biochemical parameters of healthy thoroughbred racehorses brought to the equine hospital for routine examination. The study material comprised 86 healthy horses (51 Thoroughbred and 35 Arabian Horses) of both genders (31 female and 55 male). The horses were divided into three groups according to their ages (3 years and younger, 4 years, and 5 years and older). Blood samples were analyzed on the hemogram and biochemistry devices after sampling. There was no statistically significant difference in the parameters examined between the breeds (p>0.05). Hematologically, it was determined that white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) values were at the highest level in those aged 3 and younger, and neutrophil (NEU), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and MCH values were at the highest level in 5 years and older. Biochemically, it was determined that aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (ALB), and phosphors (P) values were at the highest level in those aged 3 and younger, and total protein (TP) values were at the highest level in those aged 5 and older. In terms of gender, WBC, red blood cell (RBC), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RDW, AST, ALP, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), LDH, Creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (CREA), ALB, and P values were higher in males compared to females, while MCV, MCH, Mean platelet volume (MPV), and TP values were higher in females compared to males. As a result, although the Thoroughbred and Arabian Racehorses examined in the study were healthy, there might be significant differences in hemogram and biochemistry values in terms of age and gender.

Keywords

• Hemogram
• biochemistry
• racehorse
• breed
• age
• gender.

Thanks

We would like to thank the Turkish Jockey Club Adana Hippodrome for providing the horse blood data.

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