Levels of serum osteocalcin and some electrolytes in foal during the first six months of life

Bone is a dynamic tissue characterized by continuous bone formation and bone resorption. Ten San Fratellano foals (6males and 4 females) were used in experiment. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein by vacutainer tubes. Recordings and collections were done every 30 days for six months at the same hours (09.00) on all animals. Serum concentration of calcium, sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zing and osteocalcin was analyzed. Data were analyzed using software STATITISCA 7.0. Furthermore, the following morphological measurements were performed every month on each foal: withers height, shoulder length, chest measures, rump height, neck length, shin length, pasterns length, breast width, shoulder width and width of jaws. The results emphasized a growth rate more rapid in younger than in the older animals. Osteocalcin confirms this pattern of a higher bone growth rate in younger animals and a significant correlation between osteocalcin and age of the animals (r2 =0.96). The analysis of correlation between osteocalcin levels and somatic traits also showed some interesting results (P< 0.01). These data are considered indicative of significant slowdown in the rate of bone formation in older foals.