Plasma biochemistry in pregnant Spanish purebred broodmares

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if physiological changes occur in plasma total proteins (TPP) and albumin (ALB) concentrations and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) in Spanish Purebred mares during pregnancy. Blood samples were collected by jugular puncture and anticoagulated in tubes with lithium heparin. In plasma obtained after centrifugation the concentrations of TPP and ALB and activities of AST, ALT, LDH, CK, ALP and GGT were determined by spectrophotometry. Pregnancy caused an increase in TPP and decrease in AST, CK and GGT (p < 0.05) without modifications in ALB, ALT, LDH and ALP concentrations. Pregnancy has a significant influence on TPP, CK, GGT and AST dynamics in the mare, resulting in the development of reference ranges for this physiological condition. The decrease in values for plasma CK, AST, LDH and GGT enzymes activities during pregnancy should be considered a physiological condition related to pregnancy in the mare. It is important to know the direction and magnitude of these biochemical changes in pregnant mares, contributing to a better understanding of biochemical processes that occur in pregnant mares and providing practical help for the diagnosis of diseases that may present with similar biochemical findings.