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Establishment and evaluation of hematological and serum biochemical reference intervals in Chinese local donkey
Qifei Zhu1, Muhammad Zahoor Khan2, Yadi Jing1
1Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252000, China.
Insights
This study establishes the first large-scale, CLSI-compliant reference intervals for hematological and serum biochemical parameters in Chinese local donkeys. These population-specific reference intervals are crucial for accurate veterinary diagnosis and health monitoring in donkeys.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Physiology
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Accurate interpretation of donkey health requires population- and management-specific reference intervals (RIs).
- Standardized, CLSI-compliant RIs for Chinese local donkeys are currently unavailable.
- This limits clinical and epidemiological applications in donkey populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish large-scale, CLSI-compliant hematological and serum biochemical reference intervals for Chinese local donkeys.
- To evaluate the influence of farm origin, age, and sex on these physiological parameters.
- To provide essential data for veterinary diagnosis and conservation efforts.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 1,163 healthy donkeys across five geographically distinct farms.
- Assessed 20 serum biochemical parameters and performed hematological analyses on 935 donkeys.
- Constructed reference intervals using non-parametric methods following CLSI C28-A3 guidelines.
Main Results:
- Farm origin significantly influenced most serum biochemical parameters.
- Age and sex showed minor variations, not warranting separate reference intervals.
- Established reference intervals differed from those in horses and donkeys from other regions.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first comprehensive, CLSI-compliant reference intervals for Chinese local donkeys.
- Population- and management-adapted RIs are vital for accurate clinical interpretation.
- These values serve as a baseline for veterinary diagnosis, health monitoring, and conservation of Chinese donkey populations.
Background:
Reliable interpretation of hematological and serum biochemical test results in donkeys benefits from the use of population- and management-system-adapted reference intervals (RIs). However, standardized and CLSI-compliant RIs for Chinese local donkeys are still unavailable, limiting their clinical and epidemiological application. This study aimed to establish hematological and serum biochemical RIs for Chinese local donkeys using a large, multi-farm dataset, and to evaluate the effects of farm origin, age, and sex on these parameters. Blood samples were collected from healthy donkeys raised under different conservation levels and production systems, and RIs were constructed following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) C28-A3 guidelines using non-parametric methods.
Results:
A total of 1,163 serum samples collected from five geographically distinct donkey farms were included for serum biochemical analysis. The study population was sourced from national conservation farms comprising Dong'e and Wudi, provincial conservation farms comprising Yucheng and Zhongrun, and one local farm in Xinjiang. Twenty serum biochemical parameters covering protein metabolism, liver function, energy and lipid metabolism, mineral balance, and renal function were assessed. Hematological analyses were performed using samples obtained from 935 donkeys from the Dong'e farm. The results demonstrated that farm origin was the primary source of variation for most serum biochemical parameters. In contrast, although age- and sex-related differences were observed for certain variables, Harris and Boyd partitioning analysis indicated that these effects were not of sufficient magnitude to justify separate reference intervals for either biochemical or hematological parameters. Juvenile donkeys exhibited physiological trends consistent with growth and immune system maturation; however, these differences remained within the limits of non-partitioning criteria. Overall, the reference intervals established in this study differed from those reported in horses and donkeys from other regions, highlighting the substantial influence of population background and management conditions on physiological profiles.
Conclusions:
This study provides the first large-scale, CLSI-compliant hematological and serum biochemical reference intervals for Chinese local donkeys. The findings indicate that population- and management-system-adapted reference intervals are important for accurate clinical interpretation. These reference values offer a useful baseline for veterinary diagnosis, health monitoring, and conservation management of Chinese donkey populations.