INFLUENCE OF SEX AND AGE ON SERIC VALUES OF BILIRUBIN, AST AND GGT IN MANGALARGA HORSES.

Abstract

With the purpose of establishing the biochemical components values in healthy Mangalarga horses raised in São Paulo State, Brazil, blood serum samples were drawn from 167 animals (98 females and 69 males), and assigned to seven experimental groups in accordance with age. Each group was then subdivided into two subgroups according to the sex. The analyzed biochemical compounds were the bilirubins (total, direct and indirect) and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gama glutamyltransferase(GGT). The influence of age and sex factors were considered in the analysis of the results. The serum concentrations of total, direct and indirect bilirubins presented mean values that ranged, respectively, from 1.08 to 1.56; 0.81 to 1.26, and 0.26 to 0.35 mg/dL; only total and indirect bilirubins presented significant variation influenced by age and sex, characterized by a significant increase in their values, with a maximal concentration documented in horses between 49 and 96 months-old, as well as by greater mean values in males. The activity of the enzyme AST ranged from 120.1 to 140.3 IU/L, and was significantly influenced by age, as 7-to-12-months-old foals had the greater values when compared with other groups. The serum concentration of GGT ranged from 7.2 to 12.5 IU/L, and was influenced by age and sex, with a decrease of values for animals between 13 and 24 months-old, and greater values for male horses. KEY-WORDS: Horses. Serum biochemical. Bilirubin. AST. GGT.