The influence of age and gender on haematological parameters in Lipizzan horses

Haematological parameters [red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)] in resting Lipizzan horses were determined for 143 stallions, 104 mares and 25 foals. The mean RBC and WBC values in Lipizzans were in the lower part of the normal range for warm-blooded horses. The mean PCV, MCV and MCH values were higher, but the mean haemoglobin concentration and MCHC values were lower than reported for other warm-blooded horses. In foals, the mean RBC, WBC, PCV, haemoglobin concentration and MCHC values were higher, whereas MCV and MCH were lower than in older animals. Results indicating a significant decrease in WBC (P < 0.01) and an increase in MCV, MCH and MCHC (P < 0.05) with increasing age are consistent with some other reports on warm-blooded horses. The age-related variations in RBC and PCV were less marked. Contrary to some reports, RBC (P < 0.01), WBC and haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.001) were higher in Lipizzan stallions than in mares, but differences in MCHC, MCH and MCV were insignificant. The specific haematological values determined in Lipizzans are presumably a result of selection and should be taken into consideration when dealing with this race of horses.     

Differences in total protein concentration, nucleated cell count, and red blood cell count among sequential samples of cerebrospinal fluid from horses

OBJECTIVE: To examine total protein concentration and cell counts of sequentially collected samples of CSF to determine whether blood contamination decreases in subsequent samples and whether formulas used to correct nucleated cell count and total protein concentration are accurate. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 22 horses. PROCEDURE: For each horse, 3 or 4 sequential 2-ml samples of CSF were collected from the subarachnoid space in the lumbosacral region into separate syringes, and blood was obtained from the jugular vein. Total protein concentration, nucleated cell count, and RBC counts were determined in all samples. RESULTS: Among 3 sequential samples, total protein concentration and RBC count were significantly lower in samples 2 and 3, compared with sample 1. Nucleated cell count was significantly lower in sample 3, compared with sample 1. Among 4 sequential samples, total protein concentration and RBC count were significantly lower in samples 2, 3, and 4, compared with sample 1. Nucleated cell count was significantly lower in samples 3 and 4, compared with sample 1. For 3 correction formulas, significant differences in corrected values for nucleated cell count and total protein concentration were detected between sample 1 and sample 3 or 4. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because iatrogenic blood contamination decreases in sequential CSF samples, a minimum of 3 samples should be collected before submitting the final sample for analysis. Formulas to correct nucleated cell count and total protein concentration are inaccurate and should not be used to correct for blood contamination in CSF samples.     

Influence of environmental and genetic factors on allergen-specific immunoglobulin-E levels in sera from Lipizzan horses.

To investigate whether allergen-specific IgE production is influenced by environmental and genetic factors, IgE levels against 2 mould extracts (Alternaria alternata [Alt a] and Aspergillus fumigatus [Asp f]) and against recombinant (r) rAlt a 1, rAsp f 7 and rAsp f 8 were determined by ELISA in sera from 448 Lipizzan horses living in 6 studfarms. Statistical evaluation showed a significant effect of studfarm-specific environment on IgE levels against the different allergens, but genetic factors also influenced allergen-specific IgE production: an heritability of 0.33 was found for IgE levels against the 2 mould extracts and of 0.21 for rAsp f 8-specific IgE. Heritability estimates for rAlt a 1- and rAsp f 7-specific IgE were negligible. Investigations for a possible association between Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I antigens and specific IgE levels were carried out. The most consistent significant association was found between the equine leucocyte antigen (ELA) A8 and undetectable IgE titres against rAsp f 7 and rAsp f 8. Significant ELA associations were also demonstrated between ELA A1 and higher specific IgE levels, between ELA A14 and lower IgE levels against the mould extracts and in one studfarm between ELA Be27 and lower Aspergillus-specific IgE levels.     

The complete blood cell count: a powerful diagnostic tool.

In conclusion, the CBC can be a powerful diagnostic tool. Appropriate evaluation of all aspects of the CBC can lead to a specific diagnosis or assist in ruling out many diseases. To gain the full benefit of the CBC, it must be used in conjunction with a good history and physical examination as well as with additional components of the minimum database, which include a chemistry panel and urinalysis.     

Comparison of total white blood cell count and total protein content of lumbar and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid of healthy dogs

Lumbar and cisternal CSF from 31 healthy dogs were analyzed and compared statistically. The mean total protein of the lumbar CSF samples was 28.68 mg/dl; the mean total protein of cisternal CSF was 13.97 mg/dl. The mean total WBC count of lumbar CSF was 0.55 cells/microliter; the mean WBC count of cisternal CSF was 1.45 cells/microliter. Statistical analysis indicated that the protein and WBC differences between the 2 types of CSF were significant (P = less than 0.001 and P = less than 0.01, respectively).     

Evaluation of the ruminant complete blood cell count.

The complete blood cell count can provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information when coupled with a thorough physical examination. This article addresses proper sample handling, storage, and interpretation of the erythron, serum iron indices, leukon, and acute-phase proteins for cattle, sheep, and goats.     

多糖复合物对鲫鱼躯体生化组成、脏器指数及白细胞数目的影响

通过在日粮中添加不同水平多糖复合物(mixture of chitosan and saccharicterpenin,MCS),研究其对鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)躯体生化组成、脏器指数及白细胞数目的影响。研究结果表明:3个MCS添加组水分含量、粗蛋白含量较空白对照组有所降低(P>0.05),但粗脂肪含量则有不同程度增加(P>0.05);3个MCS添加组灰分含量均低于空白对照组,且0.25%MCS组显著低于空白对照组(P<0.05);各组间钙、磷含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。添加不同水平的MCS对鲫鱼脏体比、肝胰脏指数和胆指数均具有不同程度的降低作用,其中0.50%MCS组脏体比极显著(P<0.01)、肝胰脏指数显著(P<0.05)低于空白对照组;3个MCS添加组胆指数均极显著低于空白对照组(P<0.01),1.00%MCS组胆指数也显著低于0.25%MCS组(P<0.05),且随MCS添加量的增加胆指数呈现下降趋势;各组间头肾指数、脾脏指数差异不显著(P>0.05)。各组间血液白细胞数目差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

Season variations in the blood picture of white fulani calves naturally exposed to helminthiasis

Measurements of the red cell values of Nigerian white fulani calves 0–12 months old naturally exposed to helminthiasis were carried out during three periods of the year— early rainy season (May), late rainy season (October) and late dry season (March). The lowest values (overall mean PCV, 28.9 ± 5.7%) were recorded in the late rainy season when helminth egg counts were highest, and the highest values (35.8 ± 7.1) were recorded in the early rainy season when egg counts were moderate but nutritional values of pasture were very high. Although dry season egg counts were the lowest, the red cell values were just within normal limits at this time (31.9 ± 3.6) probably as a result of the low plane of nutrition at this time. The PCV values of calves 0–3 months old were always higher than those between 3–12 months.Treatment with pyrantel tartarate always reduced helminth egg counts (except for Strongyloides sp. in calves 0–3 months old); while this was more effective in the dry season than in the early rainy season, the improvement of blood values was more pronounced in the latter period.These results indicate that the low haematological values previously reported for African cattle could not be an inherited characteristic, but is rather due to the seasonal effects of parasitism and nutrition inherent in the indigenous husbandry practices. Establishment of ‘normal’ haematological values of these animals demands that these deleterious factors be removed.     

The cell count in milk of goats]

Weekly milk samples were taken from mammary halves from 30 goats from 8 different herds each with from 2 to 5 experimental animals throughout their lactation periods. The physiological variations in the cell counts of goats milk during lactation were investigated by a projection microscope. Only small variations were found in the average cell counts in milk samples from goats in the same herd, but big variations from one herd to another (Table I and Fig. 3.). The curves of the average cell counts in milk samples of 5 herds showed a rise at the beginning of the season at pasture (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Also in the housed periods the cell count showed transitory rises. The herd with the lowest average cell count (220,000/ml) was milked by an ordinary bucket milking system, while the herd with the highest average cell count (1,490,000/ml) was milked by a pipeline milking system. Five herds milked by machine had an average cell count of 720,000/ml and three herds milked by hand 540,000/ml. All the herds in the material had an average cell count of 680,000/ml.     

Ultrastructural variations in the sweat glands of anhidrotic horses

The ultrastructure of sweat glands from the skin of free sweating horses was compared with that of glands from anhidrotic cases. Evidence of atrophied and abnormal sweat glands in the anhidrotic horses indicates that the condition involves progressive failure of the glandular mechanism of sweat production.     

Use of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and white blood cell counts in monitoring the treatment and predicting the survival of horses with septic arthritis

Thirty-nine samples of synovial fluid were collected from the joints of 32 horses with suspected septic arthritis and 39 samples were collected from horses euthanased for non-orthopaedic conditions. The white blood cell counts (WBCC) were determined and the pro and active forms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 were measured by gelatin zymography and image analysis in each sample. The initial measurements of the ratio of proMMP9:proMMp2 and WBCC were good prognostic indicators of the survival of the horses. There was no significant relationship between the interval between the injury and the horse being referred for treatment and either the WBCC or the levels of MMP2 and MMP9 initially, and no evidence that this interval significantly affected the chances of the horses surviving.     

大熊猫血液标本放置时间对全血细胞计数的影响

为了探讨血液标本放置时间对大熊猫全血细胞计数的影响,试验采用平行试验的方法测定了28只健康成年大熊猫静脉血在120 min内放置不同时间时,红细胞(RBC)、血红蛋白(HGB)、白细胞(WBC)、血小板(PLT)、红细胞比容(HCT)平均值的差异。结果表明:血液标本放置60分钟时RBC、HGB、WBC基本无变化,与即检结果相比差异不显著(P>0.05),放置15,30,45,90,120分钟时与即检结果相比差异显著(P<0.05)。PLT随着放置时间的延长有上升趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。HCT在血液标本放置30 min以内均无显著差异(P>0.05),放置45 min后均呈显著性差异(P<0.05)。综合分析各项细胞计数测定结果认为,经乙二胺四乙酸二钾(EDTA-K2)抗凝的大熊猫全血标本,若采血后不能及时检测,应在放置60 min后再进行测定,可提高结果的准确性。     

The cardiopulmonary effects of severe blood loss in anesthetized horses

Objective To characterize the acute cardiopulmonary effects of severe hemorrhage in anesthetized horses. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Three geldings and six mares, aged 14.4 ± 2.7 years, weighing 486 ± 41 kg (range: 425–550 kg). Methods Horses were anesthetized using xylazine, guaifenesin, ketamine and halothane or isoflurane. Cardiovascular variables, hematocrit, total solids, capillary refill time (CRT) and color of mucous membranes were measured as blood was collected from the carotid artery into sterile plastic bags. Arterial blood gas analysis was also performed. Results The average amount of blood collected from these horses was (mean ± SD) 53 ± 4.8 mL kg^?1 bodyweight (range: 23–32 kg) over 39 ± 4 minutes. Hematocrit decreased from 38 ± 3 to 32 ± 2% after induction of anesthesia and did not change significantly over the period of blood loss. Total solids decreased significantly after induction of anesthesia, and over the period of blood loss. Systolic, mean, diastolic and pulse pressures decreased as blood was lost. Heart rate did not change significantly. Capillary refill time increased from 1.6 ± 0.4 seconds to 4.8 ± 1.3 seconds as blood loss increased. Mucous membrane color deteriorated progressively. Arterial PO₂ decreased significantly over the period of blood loss. Conclusions Hematocrit and heart rate do not change significantly during acute severe hemorrhage in the anesthetized horse. Arterial blood pressure, pulse pressure and PaO₂ decrease as blood loss increases. Changes in mucous membrane color and CRT also occur as blood loss increases. Clinical relevance During severe hemorrhage in the inhalant‐anesthetized horse, both heart rate and hematocrit remain unchanged. Blood pressure decreases and changes in arterial PO₂ correlate most strongly with volume of blood lost.