Prognostic factors in the sick neonatal foal

Plasma leptin level in hyperlipidemic mares and their newborn foals

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma leptin and lipid levels in breeding mares and their newborn foals. The study was conducted on 17 Polish cold-blood mares and their newborn foals. The mares were divided into two groups, according to the course of delivery. These groups were seven mares which had a normal delivery and 10 mares which had required veterinary intervention during their delivery. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of both the mares and their foals. The blood samples were taken within 30 min after delivery, as well as on four successive mornings directly afterwards. In obtained plasma samples, the leptin, triacylglycerols (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were measured. The leptin and TG levels in the plasma sampled on the day of delivery and the two following days were significantly higher in mares which received veterinary intervention during the delivery, when compared to the results obtained from the plasma of mares which had normal delivery. The results obtained from foals did not show any statistical differences. In conclusion, the conducted tests have shown that post-parturient hyperlipidemia and hyperleptinemia in mares did not influence the lipid status and plasma leptin level in newborn foals.