Assessing the Serum Metabolic Biomarkers of Darehshori Horses and Their Relationships With Each Other

Different breeds of horses have distinct and specific metabolic profiles which reflect the health status of horses. The present study was performed to determine the circulating metabolic biomarkers and their correlations in Darehshori horses. Blood samples were taken from 56 Darehshori horses (5 to 7 years old). They were divided into 2 groups containing 26 non-pregnant and non-lactating mares and 30 stallions. Sera were separated and assayed for glucose, insulin, beta-hydroxybutiric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoproteins. Serum concentration of beta-hydroxybutiric acid in stallions was significantly higher than in mares. The remaining metabolic biomarkers showed no significant differences between the two studied groups. There were negative and non- significant correlations between insulin and glucose in both sexes. Insulin was negatively correlated with cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoproteins in studied groups. The negative relationships were seen among glucose and cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low density lipoproteins in mares and stallions. In both groups, non-esterified fatty acid and beta-hydroxybutiric acid were negatively correlated with serum lipid profile. The results of the present study provided a general pattern for normal values of metabolic profile biomarkers in non-pregnant mares and stallions of Darehshori horses. These values also help veterinarians to diagnose metabolic abnormalities of this breed. However, season, age, management, nutritional and different physiological states may alter the values of these biomarkers and in interpreting the changes, these conditions should be considered