Comparative study reveals significant time- and temperature-dependent alterations in equine fecal pH, highlighting optimal storage conditions for equine health research.
Key Points
To evaluate the effects of different storage temperatures and durations on pH measurements in equine fecal samples relative to immediate baseline testing.
Collected fecal samples from 105 horses and divided each into subsamples.
Stored subsamples at room temperature, in a refrigerator, or in a freezer across varying time intervals prior to pH measurement.
Compared pH readings from stored samples against reference values measured immediately upon collection.
Refrigerated storage for 2 to 4 hours lowered pH values, whereas storage for 12 to 24 hours and all frozen storage conditions increased pH values relative to the reference.
Samples kept at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerated for 8 hours or 48 hours maintained pH values closest to initial reference measurements.