The impact of time and temperature in the analysis of pH in equine faecal sample

Summary

This thesis in veterinary nursing aimed to study how different treatments of collected faecal samples from horses affected the analysed value of pH. The study was a method study where already collected data of registered faecal pH were included. Faecal samples were collected from the middle of the faecal pile shortly after defecation. The faecal fluid used for analysing faecal pH was obtained by pressing faecal samples. Analysis of pH were performed at different times after storage in different temperatures. For samples at room temperature, the times were 0 and 2 hours. For samples in the fridge, the times were 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours. For samples in the freezer the times were 24 and 48 hours. The measurements were analysed using SAS where the effects of time and temperature as well as interacted effects of time and temperature were analysed. The results showed that time and temperature and the interacted effects of time and temperature affected the value of pH. In comparison with the reference value (R0), the value of pH was similar when faecal samples were stored at room temperature for 2 hours (R2; p=0.9722) and in the fridge for 48 hours (K48; p=0.0681). At the moment, the treatment K48 should not be considered confirmed. The result from this study indicates that time and temperature are important parameters affecting the analysis and should therefore be included in a standard protocol and adjusted for when performing an analysis of faecal pH in horses.