Plasma biochemistry changes in thoroughbred foals during the first 4 weeks of life.

Changes in plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, total carbon dioxide, urea, creatinine, glucose, total bilirubin, iron, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (AP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), calcium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol and triglycerides were studied in 45 Thoroughbred foals 15 min to 28 days after birth. The results were analysed in 3 groups; Group 1 (0--12 h), Group 2 (12--36 h), Group 3 (1--4 weeks). When Group 2 was compared to Group 1, there were significant reductions of sodium, creatinine, iron and calcium and elevations of total protein and bilirubin. When Group 3 was compared to Group 1 there were significant reductions of sodium, chloride, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, iron and AP. Significant elevations occurred in glucose, total protein, AST, inorganic phosphorus and triglycerides.