ISSN:
1433-2981
Keywords:
Antithrombin III
;
Haemostasis
;
Foal
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Thirty-three Standardbred foals received a physical examination and had blood drawn for anti-thrombin III (AT III), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and haemostasis evaluation between 24 and 72 h of age. Based on physical examination, a normal haemogram within reference intervals and serum IgG concentration 〉600 mg/dl, 19 foals remained in the study. AT III values for protein concentration (mg/dl) and activity (mg/dl and percentage thrombin inhibition) were determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis and chromogenic substrate assay, respectively, and compared to the reference intervals for adults. In 19 healthy, full-term foals, the mean plasma AT III activity for percentage thrombin inhibition (75.9%), mean amount of active AT III (19.2 mg/dl) and the mean plasma AT III concentration (28.7 mg/dl) were significantly (P〈0.05) lower than the reference interval of adult values. The mean active AT III concentration for both foals (19.2 mg/dl) and adults (24.6 mg/dl) was significantly (P〈0.05) less than their AT III concentration, 28.7 and 44.3 mg/dl, respectively. Fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) were increased in 100% of the foals, with 12 of 19 (63%) having FDPs 〉10 〈40 μg/dl). Platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen did not differ significantly from those of adult values. These findings support the view that haemostasis in the full term foal is characterised as a hypercoagulable state by the significant decrease in plasma AT III activity and concentration and increase in split products of fibrin and fibrinogen.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00515664
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