The variations of white blood cell count in Lipizzan horses

Total and differential leucocyte counts (lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) were measured in 140 stallions, 101 mares and 25 foals of Lipizzan breed. The values fell in the normal ranges for warm-blooded horses. Differences between mares and stallions were not significant with the exception of foals, having higher white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and basophil values in females than in males. Foals exhibited an age-related increase of total leucocyte count during the first 4 months of life, accompanied by a decrease in neutrophil and increase in lymphocyte and eosinophil counts. In mares and stallions, the total number of leucocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils significantly decreased but the number of neutrophils and eosinophils remained almost unchanged with age gain.