First Report on Cardiac Troponin T Detection in Canine Amniotic Fluid

Complications during pregnancy and parturition can lead to foetal hypoxia, which may be responsible for cardiac ischemia and the subsequent release of troponin from cardiac muscles into the amniotic fluid (AF) and bloodstream. So far, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) has only been measured in the blood samples of adult dogs, while no data on its presence and relevance in AF are available. This study aimed to determine whether cTnT can be detected in canine AF collected at birth. Furthermore, a possible correlation between amniotic cTnT concentration and maternal and neonatal outcomes was explored. For this purpose, 40 AF samples were collected from 14 bitches at the time of delivery. A commercially available ELISA kit was used for the analysis of canine cTnT in biological fluids. Cardiac troponin T was detected in all amniotic specimens with concentrations ranging from 74.1 to 318 ng/L (191.6 ± 66.4 ng/L). The dams’ morphotype, age, and weight, as well as the type of parturition (elective vs. emergency C-section) and the expulsion time of puppies, were significantly associated with amniotic cTnT concentrations. Although amniotic cTnT warrants further investigation to fully understand its clinical role in canine neonatology, these results suggest a promising and valuable contribution.