title: Increased serum nonesterified fatty acid and low ionised calcium concentrations are associated with post partum colic in mares.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and decreased serum electrolytes are linked to abdomasal displacements in post partum dairy cattle. Post partum colic in mares may be associated with metabolic changes specific to pregnancy and the periparturient period.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if fluctuations in serum NEFA, ionised calcium (iCa) and magnesium (iMg) occurred in periparturient mares and if these alterations were associated with post partum colic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mares from 3 farms in central Kentucky were enrolled. Blood samples were collected 14 days prior to the estimated foaling date, within 4 days post parturition, and 14 and 28 days after foaling for batch analysis of serum NEFA, iCa and iMg. Health information was provided by farm managers and veterinarians. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis χ(2) statistic for nonparametric data and a matched case/control approach. Repeated measures logistic regression models were developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum NEFAs were higher at 14-1 day before foaling (mean ± s.d., mmol/l), 0.28 ± 0.12, P = 0.04 and from foaling to 4 days after foaling, 0.29 ± 0.20 (P = 0.05) in mares that developed colic compared with those that did not colic, 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.21 ± 0.14, respectively. Ionised calcium was lower at 15-28 days post foaling in mares that showed colic, 1.50 ± 0.17 compared to mares that did not colic, 1.60 ± 0.12, P = 0.02. Risk of colic in post partum mares increased 38% for each 0.1 mmol/l increase in serum NEFA (odds ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.81, P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mares with post partum colic had significantly higher serum NEFA and lower iCa prior to the colic episode compared with mares that did not develop colic. Monitoring these metabolic alterations may lead to predictive and preventive colic strategies for post partum mares.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Holcombe
authors.affiliation: Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Embertson
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Roessner
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wismer
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Geor
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kaneene
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003085:Colic / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D006736:Horses; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: calcium; colic; horse; mare; nonesterified fatty acids; parturition