Renal Measures in Healthy Italian Trotter Foals and Correlation Between Renal and Biometric Measures: Preliminary Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasonographic renal measures in healthy foals aged 1-6 weeks and to verify the correlation between biometric measures to ultrasonographic renal ones. A total of nine Italian trotter foals born in the same stud farm and underwent similar management conditions were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were normal gestation time, unassisted delivery, and normal physical examination at all evaluation times. Length and height of both kidneys were measured by ultrasound weekly from 1 to 6 weeks of life, along with the thoracic and the middle third of the metacarpal area circumferences. Data were expressed as mean and standard deviation, and distribution was evaluated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to verify differences related to time. The Pearson correlation test was carried out to evaluate the linearity between time versus all the parameters measured. Student's t test was used to verify differences in ultrasound measures between right and left kidney at all recorded times. The Pearson test was applied to a mean-variance matrix to verify the correlation between each biometrical versus all renal measures. Significance level was set at P < .05. One-way ANOVA showed differences in biometric and renal measures related to time. Correlation test revealed a linear growth. Differences in ultrasound renal measures between right and left kidney were obtained. Correlation was found between biometrical parameters versus kidney measures. Renal measures and differences between left and right kidneys were in line with literature. Correlation test revealed a linear growth. Renal growth is correlated with age and biometric measures.