Temporal Changes in Concentrations of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Plasma on Healthy Mares and Foals from Birth to 24 Weeks of Age

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The concentrations of branched-chain amino acids ( BCAA; valine, leucine, isoleucine) were determined in plasma of 7 healthy thoroughbred mares and their foals from birth (0 week) to 24 weeks of age, using automated high-performance liquid chromatography. In foals, the concentrations of plasma valine were significantly high (p<0.05) at 16, 20 and 24 weeks. The concentrations of plasma leucine were significantly high (p<0.05) at 1 and 3 weeks. The concentrations of plasma isoleucine were significantly high (p<0.05) from 1 to 24 weeks. In mares, the concentrations of plasma valine were significantly high (p<0.05) at 16 and 24 weeks. The concentrations of plasma leucine and isoleucine were significantly high (p<0.05) at 16 weeks. It was clear that the concentrations of plasma BCAA in foals and mares were at different levels at various times after birth. Since mares and foals were kept in health during this study, we could get the base data of the concentrations of BCAA in plasma of healthy foals and mares from birth to 24 weeks.KEY WORDS: branched-chain amino acid, foal, mare, plasma.