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Reference ranges for haematology, biochemical profile and electrophoresis in a single herd of Ragusana donkeys from Sicily (Italy)

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Abstract

Donkeys, an endangered species, have recently gained a new application with the use of their milk to feed humans with allergic processes. The Ragusana donkey breed from Sicily is used to produce milk for humans with allergic diseases. In order to evaluate the hygienic, nutritional and management measures on a farm of Ragusana donkeys, complete blood counts, extended biochemical profiles and serum protein electrophoresis, as part of metabolic profile test (MPT), were performed in Ragusana donkeys. Fifty-four donkeys were studied and grouped according to their age, (1) 29 females and a single stallion (n=30), (2) young females, 1 – 3 years old (n=10) and (3) young of both sexes under 1 year old (n=14). The RBC count, RDW value, Lymp, and Mono counts, and PDW values were statistically greater in donkeys under one year old than in adult donkeys, while the Seg Neu count was lower. The CPK, ALP, iPhos, and HCO3, values were statistically higher in the group of donkeys under 1 year of age than adult donkeys while Cl and LDH values were statistically lower in donkeys under 1  year than adult donkeys. Additionally, statistically significant increased values for CPK, ALP, Alb, Chol, iPhos, HCO3, and UIBC in young donkeys under 1 year when compared with young donkeys, 1 – 3 years were observed. A statistically significant decreased value for Urea and an increased value for Crea in young donkeys, 1 – 3 years old were found as compared to adults. The serum protein fractions recognised by electrophoresis were: albumin, alpha globulin (subdivided into alpha-1 and alpha-2-globulins), beta globulin, and gamma globulin. In the alpha-1-globulin region three small peaks were constantly noticed, and alpha-2-globulins were statistically different between the three groups being greater in young donkeys under 1 year of age. The results obtained were used both to establish reference ranges and a data bank for the farm of Ragusana donkeys for future needs in assessing the metabolic status and health of the animals.

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Abbreviations

MPT:

Metabolic profile test

SPE:

Serum protein electrophoresis

CBC:

Complete blood count

RBC:

Erythrocyte

WBC:

Leukocyte

PLT:

Platelet

Hgb:

Haemoglobin

MCV:

Mean cellular volume

HDW:

Haemoglobin distribution width

MPV:

Mean platelet volume

Hct:

Haematocrit

MCHC:

Mean cellular haemoglobin concentration

RDW:

Red cell distribution width

PCT:

Plateletcrit

PDW:

Platelet distribution width

Seg Neu:

Segmented neutrophil

Lymp:

Lymphocyte

Mono:

Monocyte

Eosin:

Eosinophil

CPK:

Creatinphosphokinase

AST:

Aspartate aminotransferase

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

ALP:

Alkaline phosphatase

GGT:

Gamma glutamyl transferase

Tot Bil:

Total bilirubin

Dir Bil:

Direct bilirubin

Tot Prot:

Total serum protein

Alb:

Albumin

Chol:

Cholesterol

Tryg:

Triglyceride

Amyl:

Amylase

Lip:

Lipase

Crea:

Creatinine

Glu:

Glucose

Ca:

Calcium

iPhos:

Inorganic phosphorus

Na:

Sodium

K:

Potassium

Cl:

Chloride

HCO3:

Bicarbonate

Mg:

Magnesium

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

Fe:

Iron

UIBC:

Unsaturated iron binding capacity

Ind Bil:

Indirect bilirubin

Glob:

Globulin

TIBC:

Total iron binding capacity

Sat %:

Saturation percentage of iron

VLDL:

Very-low-density lipoproteins

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Acknowledgements

To Dr. Aiello A., DVM, practitioner, health director of Centro Veterinario Etneo, Catania, Sicily, and to Dr. Torrisi C., DVM responsible of ASILAT srl, Giarre (CT), Sicily, Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Private Veterinary Clinic “San Marco” and Private Veterinary Laboratory “San Marco”, Padua, Italy

    Marco Caldin, Tommaso Furlanello, Laia Solano-Gallego, Davide De Lorenzi, Erika Carli & Silvia Tasca

  2. Department of Veterinary Clinic, University of Pisa, V.le Piagge 2, Pisa, Italy, 56124

    George Lubas

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  1. Marco Caldin
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  2. Tommaso Furlanello
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  3. Laia Solano-Gallego
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  4. Davide De Lorenzi
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  5. Erika Carli
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  6. Silvia Tasca
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  7. George Lubas
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Correspondence to George Lubas.

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Caldin, M., Furlanello, T., Solano-Gallego, L. et al. Reference ranges for haematology, biochemical profile and electrophoresis in a single herd of Ragusana donkeys from Sicily (Italy). Comp Clin Pathol 14, 5–12 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-005-0544-8

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