Evaluation of Blood Glucose and Lactate Concentrations in Mule and Equine Foals

Information about mule physiology is scarce. Glucose and lactate serve as prognostic tools in neonates; thus, real-time evaluations would be beneficial. Our main objective was to measure glucose and lactate concentrations from healthy mule and equine foals from birth to 720 hours. Glucose and lactate concentrations were evaluated with a benchtop Randox Daytona analyzer (LAB) using plasma and with an Accutrend Plus system (ACP) using whole blood. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED (P < .05), intraclass coefficient correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Glucose and lactate concentrations from mule and equine foals were different when evaluated with LAB, but there was no difference when evaluated with ACP. Glucose pattern of variation, evaluated with both analyzers for mule and equine foals, had an increase, with subsequent decrease, whereas lactate pattern of variation had initial higher values with subsequent decrease. Intraclass coefficient correlation for glucose was low and moderate for lactate. Results of glucose and lactate with ACP from our experimental neonates were not highly correlated with LAB. However, the ACP had the same pattern of variation for glucose and lactate, thus can still be used clinically for immediate evaluations if the technique is standardized with the specific samples that will be used.

Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin, triglycerides, glucose, fructosamines, and ɣ-GT)

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most prevalent endocrine disease in horses. Although donkeys and mules may also be affected, only a few data have been published. Reference values for diagnostic parameters, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), are especially scarce or even lacking. Therefore, in the present study, available data from the literature have been verified and completed to facilitate a reliable diagnosis. Clinical inspections and haematological and biochemical examinations were carried out four times in a three-month interval (February to November) in 44 donkeys and 31 mules. Data from clinically healthy animals were used as an orientation. Plasma ACTH concentrations showed seasonal changes in both animal groups. However, it was generally higher in donkeys than mules. Although blood glucose (EDTA plasma) showed no difference between groups, serum insulin concentrations were consistently higher in donkeys. Serum fructosamine levels were slightly higher in mules, whereas, in some cases, serum triglyceride levels were considerably higher in donkeys. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase showed a striking peak in mules in August, whereas the remaining gamma-glutamyltransferase values were lower compared to donkeys. By comparing donkeys and mules, the present work reveals differences in various blood parameters which should be considered for diagnoses and future studies.