Serum protein fractions, hematological and biochemical variables of the Pega donkey (Equus asinus) breed in the first year of age

Abstract

This study describes changes in serum protein fractions, hematological and biochemical variables of Pega donkeys, an important Brazilian asinine breed, during their first year of life. Complete blood count, biochemical analysis and serum protein fractionation by electrophoresis were performed on blood samples taken from eight donkeys, three females and five males, collected on the day of birth, at 3rd, 7th, 15th days and monthly until 12 months of life. There were no age-related differences for CK, albumin, magnesium, potassium, chlorides, triglycerides, basophils, band and segmented neutrophils. Sodium concentration remained almost constant. The WBC curve ascended until five months, lymphocytes up to seven months, monocytes until six months, phosphorus rose during the first month, IgA until the third month, and then all previous parameters started to decrease. Urea and ionized calcium concentrations diminished until 15 days, then tended to increase. Eosinophils, total protein, GGT, AST, creatinine, IgG, transferrin, albumin (identified by electrophoresis), haptoglobin, 23 and 138 kDa molecular weight proteins showed an upward trend during this period. RBC, hemoglobin concentration, PCV, platelets, glucose, total calcium, cholesterol, ALT, AP, ceruloplasmin, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein, 33 kDa molecular weight protein, indirect, direct and total bilirubin, tended to decrease during the first year of life. This is the first report on changes in serum protein fractions, hematological and biochemical variables of Pega donkeys during the first year of life, and demonstrates that most of these parameters change during this period. The data obtained are useful for clinical routines and as a basis for future scientific investigations into the donkeys' physiology and metabolism.