Comparison of some biochemical and mineral indices among Norik breed Muráň Plain type and Hucul breed mares

Abstract

Biochemical analysis in horses is an important aid for determining correct clinical diagnosis of general, infectious, and some parasitic diseases. This work studied the biochemical and mineral indices in mares of two breeds: the Norik breed Muráň Plain type and the Hucul breed. A total of 34 mares of the Norik breed Muráň Plain type (aged 15.18 ± 5.99 years) and 28 Hucul mares (aged 9.03 ± 5.50 years) were used. Blood serum was analysed using the biochemical analyser Cobas c111 (Roche, Switzerland). Significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between the Norik breed Muráň Plain type and the Hucul mares in aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyltransferase activity; significant difference (P < 0.01) was found in urea values; and highly significant difference (P < 0.001) was found in glucose values. The mineral profile elements showed a highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between the Norik breed Muráň Plain type and the Hucul mares in phosphorus, magnesium, iron, chloride, potassium, and sodium concentrations. The results confirmed that there are significant differences between horse breeds in some biochemical indices. Therefore, it is appropriate to determine reference values for other horse breeds, as well. To our knowledge, this is the first report that compares biochemical and mineral indices between the Norik breed Muráň Plain type and the Hucul breed.