Effect of seasons and sex on the physical, hematological, and blood biochemical parameters of Noma horses
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of seasons and sex on body size and hematological and biochemistry parameters of Noma horses, a native Japanese breed. Body size was larger in winter than in summer. Laboratory testing variables, including erythrocytic parameters and urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and creatinine kinase levels, were higher in winter, while the eosinophil count was higher in summer. These seasonal differences may be related to increased energy consumption of horses due to heat stress. The higher eosinophil counts may have been related to the dermatitis observed in summer. Stallions tended to have smaller bodies compared with mares. Future studies are necessary to investigate the effect of stress in seasonal and sex-based groups.
Source: Journal of Equine Science
DOI: 10.1294/jes.32.21
Institution: Okayama University of Science
Language: English
Subfield: Equine
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3139150574