Serum biochemical parameters in clinically healthy adult Bosnian mountain horse

Sa？etak The Bosnian mountain horse, the only indigenous horse breed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is an internationally recognized ancient breed and represents an important animal resource of this country. It belongs to the Warmblood horses. No data is available in the literature for serum biochemical parameters in the Bosnian mountain horse breed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mean values of certain biochemical parameters in Bosnian mountain horse, and to compare the obtained values with reference intervals for adult horses in general, adult Warmblood horses and values previously reported for other horse breeds. Blood samples were collected from 30 clinically healthy adult horses of both sexes at the Borike stud farm. Samples for biochemical analysis were processed using standard procedures with the Catalyst OneTM Chemistry Analyzer. The following mean values were comparable to previously published reference intervals in horses: glucose 4.96±1.30 mmol/L; urea 7.83±2.18 mmol/L; creatinine 112.05±29.75 μmol/L; phosphorus 0.91±0.22 mmol/L; calcium 2.93±0.18 mmol/L; total protein 72.45±5.75 g/L; albumin 28.91±3.27 g/L; globulin 43.50±5.49 g/L; alkaline phosphatase 170.90±54.70 U/L; total bilirubin 22.00±11.01 μmol/L; cholesterol 2.54±0.28 mmol/L and amylase 33.50±12.77 U/L. The obtained mean concentrations of urea and total protein were higher than those reported in any other Warmblood horses. Also, a higher mean concentration of globulin was found. However, all mean values were within the reference intervals for adult horses in general, adult Warmblood horses and previously published values for other horse breeds. Amylase activity was much lower than the recommended reference intervals for adult horses in general. The results obtained in this study indicate the need for further study to establish reference values of serum biochemical parameters in this Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse breed