ORIGINAL PAPER
The evaluation of some physiological indices of
Arabian mares during pregnancy and lactation
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Department of Ethology and Technological Basis of Animal Production,
Lublin Agricultural University,
Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Publication date: 2002-05-09
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2002;11(2):289-298
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The study was carried out on 48 purebred Arabian mares in the Białka Stud (Lublin region). Blood
indicators (haematological, biochemical, immunological) and heart rate changes during blood collection
were determined in the last four months of pregnancy and in six lactation months. Milk testing
(bacteriological, cytological, chemical) was conducted during the entire lactation. The majority of
determined indices showed significant (P<0.05) or highly significant (P<0.01) differences during
pregnancy and lactation. The levels of some indices (lymphocytes, segmented neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, AST, LDH, TG, haptoglobin) were similar in the last month of
pregnancy and the first lactation month so they can be classified among periparturient symptoms.
The milk protein and fat contents and somatic cell count showed a decrease, whereas the lactose level
slightly increased over the duration of the suckling period. Knowledge of the mares' metabolic profile
and changes in emotional balance in specific physiological periods can be useful in assessing if the
pregnancy and lactation are proceeding correctly, which is important for breeding success.
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