Normal hematology, serology, and serum protein electrophoresis values in fetal Yucatan miniature swine

Abstract

We are currently developing fetal models of congenital heart disease in Yucatan miniature swine for pharmacologic, diagnostic, and interventional methods used to treat cardiac arrhythmias and ventricular septal defect. Fifty-four fetuses from 12 pregnant sows were included in this study. Eleven were fetuses between 76 and 88 days of gestation (early gestation fetuses). A second population of 43 fetuses were between 96 and 110 days of gestation (late gestation fetuses). Erythrocyte, leukocyte, serum electrolyte, enzyme, lipid, carbohydrate, and metabolite values were measured. Complete serum protein profiles were also obtained by electrophoresis. Significant differences could be shown between the sows and fetuses and between the early and late gestation fetuses in all of the categories studied, though not for every parameter. This study provides a large normal database for development of Yucatan miniature swine as an animal model in the rapidly expanding field of fetal medicine.