Investigation of Homocysteine Levels in Healthy Dogs, Iran

Abstract

Homocysteine is a parameter that plays an important role for diagnosing several diseases mainly cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the first time reference values for homocysteine levels detected in healthy Golden Retriever, Terrier, German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever breeds of dogs play an important role in the prognosis of many diseases. In this study, 10 German Shepherd, 10 Golden Retriever, 10 Labrador Retriever, and 10 Terrier breeds of healthy dogs were used. Plasma homocystein levels were measured according to commercial test kit (axis®homocyste EIA-UK) using the ELISA test kit device. Biochemical parameters were spectrophotometrically measured with the commercial test kit (Randox®-UK) according to the specified procedures (5010 Photometer Boerringer Mannheim). In the study plasma homocysteine levels in four breeds detected as 10.60±4.55 μmol/L in the German Shepherd breed, 11.43±6.10 μmol/L in the Golden Retriever breed, 9.40±3.83 μmol/L in Labrador Retriever breed, and 8.88±2.34 μmol/L in Terrier breed. Furthermore, serum AST, ALT, LDH, albumin, urea, creatinine, TP, CK, CK-MB, and vitamin B12 levels of the four breeds were similar to reference values reported for healthy dogs. It is for the first time, homocysteine level recorded in various breeds of healthy dogs.