Biochemical constituents of cerebrospinal fluid in premature and full term foals

Total protein content and a variety of enzyme activities and electrolyte values were determined in 73 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 66 horses and ponies. The foals (48) were divided into 3 categories-spontaneously delivered normal foals (Group A), full term induced normal foals (Group B) and premature induced non-surviving foals (Group C). CSF samples from a group of 18 normal adults (Group D) were included for comparison. Paired serum and CSF samples were collected on 32 occasions and subjected to similar analyses. CSF sodium and chloride were always higher than serum sodium and chloride; the reverse occurred with potassium. The CSF protein and enzyme levels were always lower than corresponding serum values. The foals had higher total protein and creatine kinase in CSF than the adults, except for Group C (non-survivors) which had significantly lower creatine kinase than either of the other 2 foal groups. Creatine kinase values tended to fall towards adult levels over 40 h post partum. It was also noted that foals with both high total protein and creatine kinase in CSF, compared with adult values, had a better chance of survival than those with high total protein but low creatine kinase.