2018, Cilt 34, Sayı 1, Sayfa(lar) 007-012
Breed and Gender-related differences in Some Hematological Parameters of 3-Year-Old Horses in Flat Racing in Turkey
Berjan DEMİRTAŞ
Istanbul University, Vocational School of Veterinary Medicine, Equine and Training Programme, TR-34320 Avcilar, Istanbul-Turkey
Keywords: Arabian, Thoroughbred, horse, flat racing, hematology
Abstract
Aim: Breed, gender, age and geographical locations affect the hematological values of horses. The aim of this study is to evaluate the breed and gender related differences in hematological parameters of 3 year-old horses running in flat racing in Turkey. A second aim is to establish a preliminary study for the normal ranges of hematological values in 3-year-old horses racing in Turkey.

Materials and Methods: The hemogram data were collected from apparently healthy horses consisting of 40 Arabian (n:20 stallions; n:20 mares) and 40 Thoroughbred (n:20 stallions; n: 20 mares) 3-year-old horses who raced at Istanbul Veliefendi Racetrack in Turkey in 2017. Hemogram parameters were blood counts of red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red cell dispersion width, white blood cells, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil and platelet. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance method in SPSS for Windows version 13.0. The statistical model included breed, gender and breed x gender interactions as main effects.

Results: Red blood cells (P<0.001), hemoglobin (P<0.001) and hematocrit (P<0.001) were found significantly higher in Thoroughbred than Arabian horses. Gender and breed x gender interaction did not have any significant effect on any parameters (P>0.05).

Conclusions: Breed differences but not gender-related differences were observed in 3-year-old race horses. It seems there are some differences in some hematological parameters of both Arabians and Thoroughbred compared to their counterparts in other countries. It is advisable for researchers to determine their own reference ranges for breeds in their country.

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