Effect of Age on the Biochemical and Hematological Blood Profile in the Arabian Horses Raised in Libya

Normal hematological and biochemical values need to be defined for each equine age in order to increase diagnostic precision. The present study was aimed to monitor the hematobiochemical characteristics of 65 clinically healthy Arabian horses raised in Libya with an age of less than or equal 3 years (young) or more than 3 years (stallion). The results showed that MCHC were significantly (p<0.0001) higher in the young horses than stallions, while the reverse for HCT, MCV, RDW-CV, RDW-SD, and MPV. On the other hand, Hb, RBC, MCH, PDW and PCT showed non-significant change with the variations between Arabian horse's ages. The total leukocyte and platelet counts were statistically increased in young horses but did not significantly different. Regarding activities of different enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and LDH activity), there are significantly (p<0.05) increased values in young horses compared with stallions. However, the serum TP, TB and DB were significantly (p<0.005) higher in adult horses than young one. There are significant and non-significant differences in some lipid profile and electrolytes between animals according to age factor. In abbreviate, results of this study showed that both blood and biochemical parameters clearly alterated under the effect of age in this breed of horses.