Effect of Feed Deprivation on Biochemical Indices in Equids.

Abstract

A comparative study was carried out to assess the effect of total feed deprivation on various biochemical indices in donkeys and mules, kept off feed continuously for ten days with free access to water. Blood samples were collected during the control period, feed deprivation and recovery period for different biochemical evaluations. All the animals in both the groups were observed to be calm and lethargic during deprivation with significant low water intake as compared to the pre-deprivation period. Feed deprivation resulted in almost total cloudiness of serum at the 7th and 8th days post feed deprivation in mules and donkeys, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activities decreased significantly in both the groups, but changes were comparatively more pronounced in mules. Activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase as well as levels of potassium remained almost the same as the pre-fasting values in both the groups. Among metabolites, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, total serum protein, albumin and creatinine increased significantly in both the groups. Further both the species differed significantly in their albumin and direct bilirubin during the feed stress and recovery periods but LDH, cholesterol and bilirubin total differed even during the control period. Fasting did not seem to have any deleterious effect on major body organs and all the animals recovered by the 6th day of the recovery period. Donkeys were observed to be more adaptable than mules under feed stress conditions.