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Correlation between erythrocyte parameters and iron status in cyclic Spanish Purebred mares

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum iron status and its relation to hematological indexes in cyclic mares. Blood samples were taken from 40 Spanish Purebred mares on days − 5, 0, + 5 and + 16 of their cycle. Concentration of transferrin (TRF) was significantly lower on day 0 than on days + 5 and + 16, transferrin saturation (TSAT) decreased significantly on days 0 and + 16 compared to day − 5, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) on day + 16 was significantly higher than those on days − 5 and 0, and on day + 5 it was also significantly higher than that on day 0, unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) was reduced on day + 16 compared to days − 5 and 0, red blood cell (RBC) count on day + 16 was higher than that on days − 5 and 0 (p < 0.05), with no differences in the concentration of hemoglobin (HB) and packed cell volume (PCV). TRF and TIBC (r = 0.95), RBC and HB (r = 0.64), RBC and PCV (r = 0.78), and HB and PCV (r = 0.63) were positively and significantly correlated (P < 0.05). The estrous cycle in the Spanish Purebred mare is characterized by an increase in TRF and TIBC during the follicular phase and an increase in TSAT, UIBC and RBC in the luteal phase, without changes in other hematological parameters. The coordinated activity of these parameters guarantees an adequate iron (Fe) transfer and utilization during follicular development, ovulation, and the luteal period in the mare. Therefore, the estrous cycle must be considered in the evaluation of the mare’s iron status, in light of significant changes observed both in early and at late luteal phases. The magnitude of these changes and the meaning to the physiology of the mares showed that in cyclic mares, hematological parameters and indicators of iron status evolve differently depending on the phase of the cycle, and their interpretation can help to veterinarians involved in equine practice.

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No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the technical staff of the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the CEU-Cardenal Herrera University of Valencia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46115, Spain

    Katiuska Satué & Elena Damiá

  2. Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy

    Esterina Fazio, Pietro Medica & Cristina Cravana

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  1. Katiuska Satué
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  2. Esterina Fazio
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  3. Elena Damiá
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  4. Pietro Medica
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  5. Cristina Cravana
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Contributions

K.S. Conceived the idea of the study and wrote the main manuscript text.E.F. Writing draft preparationE.D.InvestigationP.M. Visualization and InvestigationC.C. Formal analysisAll authors have read and agreed to this version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Katiuska Satué.

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Satué, K., Fazio, E., Damiá, E. et al. Correlation between erythrocyte parameters and iron status in cyclic Spanish Purebred mares. Vet Res Commun (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10376-2

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