Abstract

Introduction: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) has several biological functions. In different species, excessive 5-HT has been linked to valvular lesions, similar to those seen in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Previous studies suggest higher 5-HT in healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs), a breed highly affected by myxomatous mitral valve disease, compared to other breeds.Objective: To investigate potential interbreed variation in serum 5-HT in healthy dogs.Animals: 483 healthy dogs of nine breeds aged 1-7 years.Methods: Dogs were examined at five European centers. Absence of cardiovascular, organ-related, or systemic diseases was ensured by thorough clinical investigations including echocardiography. Serum was frozen and later analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: Median 5-HT concentration was 252.5 (interquartile range = 145.5-390.6) ng/mL. Overall breed difference was found (p<0.0001), and 42% of pairwise breed comparisons were significant. Univariate regression analysis showed association between serum 5-HT concentration and breed, center of examination, storage time, and sex, with higher 5-HT in females. In multiple regression analysis, the final model had an adjusted R-2 of 0.27 with breed (p<0.0001), center (p<0.0001), and storage time (p=0.014) remaining significant. Within centers, overall breed differences were found at 3/5 centers (p <= 0.028), and pairwise comparisons within those centers showed breed differences in 42% of comparisons. Among the included breeds, New-foundlands, Belgian Shepherds and CKCSs had highest 5-HT concentrations.Conclusions: Interbreed variation in serum 5-HT concentration was found in healthy dogs aged 1-7 years. These differences should be taken into account when designing clinical studies. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Breed difference; Biomarker; Canine; Heart valve; 5-HT

Published in

Journal of Veterinary Cardiology
2018, Volume: 20, number: 4, pages: 244-253
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Höglund, Katja

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Häggström, Jens

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hanås, Sofia

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Evidensia Animal Clinic Västerås

• Ljungvall, Ingrid

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Medical Bioscience


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2018.05.002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/96510