Sheep Blood Serum Research Articles

Longitudinal seroepidemiological survey and risk factors for bluetongue virus infection in sheep in the state of Parana, Brazil, from 2014 to 2017.

The Bluetongue disease is an infectious and non-contagious viral disease mainly transmitted through hematophagous vector of the Culicoides genus, to domestic and wild ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibodies occurrence, persistence and potential risk factors associated with bluetongue virus infection in sheep flocks in the state of Parana, Brazil. The competitive ELISA test was applied to evaluate 690 blood serum samples from 22 farms in eight mesoregions of Parana in 2014, and 270 sheep blood serum samples from 10 of the 22 previously studied farms in 2017. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the risk factors associated with BTV infection. In 2014 and 2017, the numbers of seroreactive sheep were found to be 28.26% (195/690) and 41.11% (111/270), respectively, representing 95.45% (21/22) and 90% (9/10) of the flocks. The significant variables considered as risk factors were Culicoides presence (P < 0.0001; OR = 8.83 and 95% CI 4.28-18.22); genealogical record (P < 0.0001; OR = 0.23 and 95% CI 0.12-0.45) and use of sheepfold (P = 0.0208; OR = 0.36 and 95% CI 0.15-0 0.86). It was determined that BTV infection is endemic in Parana and persists in the mesoregions where the climate is favorable to vector proliferation.

Induction and comparative resuscitation of viable but nonculturable state on Vibrio parahaemolyticus serotypes O3:K6 and O1:K25.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an important food-borne pathogens found to be associated with seafoods and marine environs. It has been a topic of debate for many decades that most pathogens are known to enter a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state under cold temperature and nutrient limited conditions. The present study examined the time required for the induction of VBNC state and the revival strategies of both the endemic O3:K6 and O1:K25 sporadic strains of V. parahaemolyticus. The results revealed that V. parahaemolyticus survived even after 55 days of incubation in nutrient starved media such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and Coastal Water (CW) and could be recovered by temperature upshift method, and compared the resuscitation using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), sheep blood serum, chitin flakes with live Artemia salina, and the results suggests that chitin plays a significant role in regulating the VBNC state. It was also confirmed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis that VBNC cells can alter their morphology to coccoid forms in order to survive in most extreme nutrient limited environment. Further data on the promoting factors and the exact mechanism that resuscitate VBNC V. parahaemolyticus in cold natural environments and frozen foods are needed to perform a robust risk assessment.

The relationship between the indicators of natural antibodies, total immunoglobulins and immunocompetent blood cells of sheep in the process of post-vaccination immune response

Innate immunity plays an important role in protecting the body from pathogenic microorganisms. The significance of its structures in vaccination is currently widely discussed. The purpose of the research was to study the dynamics of immunological parameters during the immune response to various types of vaccines.The paper analyzes the levels of natural antibodies in the blood serum of sheep and considers possible correlations with indicators of innate immunity during the post-vaccination immune response. After blood sampling (background), the animals were immunized with rabies (n=5) and anthrax (n=5) vaccines. On the first day of the immune response in the blood of the sheep of the experimental groups, there was a slight increase in tot- Ig, the number of neutrophils increased, and the number of lymphocytes decreased. It was found that on the seven day the concentration of tot- Ig, which also includes specific antibodies to the antigens of vaccines against rabies and anthrax, increased by 2 times compared to the background values. However, the NAb concentration slightly increased only on the first day of the immune response to the anthrax vaccine. In animals, regardless of the vaccine administered, a negative correlation between the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils was constantly maintained (r= -0.88±0.02). As well as in the control (r= - 0.48), the negative correlation between neutrophils /NAb (r= - 0.52; r= -0.76) remained, which indicates the activation of phagocytes and the synthesis of natural antibodies. On the other hand, a correlation relationship between lymphocytes/NAb was established during the immune response to the vaccine against rabies (r=0.5) and anthrax (r=0.7), and the absence of this relationship in the control (r=0.16), which indicates the reaction of natural antibodies to a foreign antigen. The correlations of lymphocytes /NAb (r=0.7) and lymphocytes/tot- Ig (r=0.8) were higher in the dynamics of the immune response to the anthrax vaccine than to the rabies vaccine (r=0.5). It appears that serum anti- KLH NAbs, which include various Ig isotypes, may re ect innate humoral immune competence.

VALIDATION OF AN ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF FATTY ACIDS IN SHEEP BLOOD SERUM SAMPLES

Low-density dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with a subsequent esterification step was proposed in this study for the determination of linoleic acid and stearic acid in sheep blood serum samples. The method developed aimed to quickly and efficiently extract and esterify both fatty acids with subsequent analysis by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection. The extraction method was optimized with Scheffé’s polynomial model for three-component mixtures. The method was validated according to the parameters established by Eurachem Guide (2014). The optimal extraction conditions for LD-DLLME were 1400 µL of dispersion medium (MgCl2 0.017%), 400 µL of extractor solvent (toluene) and 1200 µL of dispersion solvent (methanol). The method performance showed adequate selectivity, sensitivity and precision to be applied to real samples, with an average recovery of 98.54% for linoleic acid and 103.83% for stearic acid. LD-DLLME was superior to the traditional method of analysis, which has been used until now for the determination of fatty acids in blood serum samples from ruminants. The analysis of real samples showed that the developed method is efficient for monitoring these substances in ruminants.

Ферментативные и микробиологические процессы в рубце и кишечнике овец при скармливании энерго-антиоксидантного комплекса

Vladimir A. Devyatkin, Evgeniya N. Kolodina, All-Russia Research Institute of animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L. K. Ernst, Dubrovitsy, Russia Abstract The article discusses the possibility and effectiveness of using liquid energy feed based on propylene glycol and glycerin (LEF) in combination with dihydroquercetin and Spirulina Platensis microalgae as an additive to the diet of sheep to optimize inter-daily processes in the pre-pancreas, increase natural resistance, improve intestinal and scar microbiocenosis. It was found that the studied additive contributed to a more intensive hydrolysis of carbohydrates in the rumen of animals due to an increase in the concentration of VFA by 45,2% versus 30,9% in the control, an increase in the content of lysozyme in the blood serum of sheep of the experimental group by 35,4%, (p≥0,1), an increase in phagocytic activity, its index and number by 4,5; 3,9 and 15,8%, respectively, which indicates a more stable cellular immunity, increased resistance of the body to infectious and inflammatory processes, and an increase in natural resistance. The level of lacto- and bifidobacteria was 15,4–17,0% higher (p≥0.001), and yeast-like microorganisms and molds, respectively, were 7,6% and 17,3% lower, which positively affected the microbiocenosis of the intestines of animals.

The Effect of Dried Grape Pomace Feeding on Nutrients Digestibility and Serum Biochemical Profile of Wethers

The aim of this study was to find the effect of dried grape pomace (GP) feeding on the nutrients digestibility coefficients and biochemical parameters of sheep blood serum. The experiment was divided into three feeding periods—C (control), GP1 (1% grape pomace concentration), and GP2 (2% grape pomace concentration). Wethers in three groups in balance cages were housed for right feces collection. The C feed diet consisted of hay, ground wheat, soybean meal, mineral and vitamin lick. An experimental diet with 1% and 2% addition of GP from the daily dry matter intake was fed. After that, digestibility coefficients (in %) were calculated by the difference between nutrient intake and excretion. Furthermore, in the wethers’ blood, biochemical parameters (mineral, energetic, nitrogen, and enzymatic profile) were analyzed. After the GP2 feeding, statistically significant higher digestibility of CP (crude protein), NFC (nonfiber carbohydrates), NDF (neutral detergent fiber), and OM (organic matter) was found. However, the addition of dried GP increased significantly the content of Cl− and decreased the value of glucose, nevertheless, their concentrations were within the reference interval. Parameters of the wethers’ blood serum nitrogen and enzymatic profile were not affected by GP feeding. Dried grape pomace in an amount of 2% diet dry matter can be considered a suitable source of nutrients in sheep feeding, which in addition should improve the digestibility of diet crude protein.

The Impact of Breed, Testing Time and Metabolic Profile on the Variation of Copper Concentration in Sheep Blood Serum

Background: Copper supplementation in ruminants deserves special attention because of the narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the Cu concentration and other blood parameter values having taken into consideration their physiological limits based on the variation of copper concentration in the three different sheep breeds. Methods: Sixty sheep (35±5 kg) kept on the same farm were studied: the Suffolk (n = 20), the Merino (n = 20) and the Lithuanian blackhead (n = 20). The sheep were selected according to the following parameters: 3.5±0.3 years old, not pregnant during the entire investigation period, clinically healthy. All sheep were kept under the same conditions and throughout the year, were fed at the same time the same ration balanced according to their physiological needs. Individual blood samples were collected on the same day, on monthly basis for the period of one year (April 2018 to May 2019). Blood biochemical parameters as well blood haematology and cortisol concentration were analysed.Result: The highest average value of copper concentration was found in the Merino breed. The study has shown that the lowest number of blood samples with the levels of copper meeting the physiological limit values was found in the native Lithuanian blackhead sheep at the end of the grazing period and in the Merino and the Suffolk breeds - during the coldest winter months. The increase in copper concentration could be related to the stress caused due to the changes in dietary conditions, the variations of ambient temperature and different breed response to these factors.

One-pot synthesis of β-cyclodextrin modified silver nanoparticles for highly sensitive detection of ciprofloxacin

This study emphases on electrochemical detection of ciprofloxacin in sheep serum and runoff water using silver nanoparticle modified β-cyclodextrin (Ag-β-CD) composite. The Ag-β-CD composite was synthesized via a hydrothermal route, which resulted in a high product yield. Morphological and spectral characterizations of the Ag-β-CD composite were carried out. The Ag-β-CD composite was used to detect ciprofloxacin by employing differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Ag-β-CD modified electrode displayed excellent specificity towards the electro-oxidation of ciprofloxacin. Further, the sensor gave the best response towards the electro-oxidation of ciprofloxacin near the human physiological pH of 7.5. A linear response was obtained between the concentration range of 0.1 nM to 50 nM and the limit of detection (LOD) at 0.028 nM with high sensitivity and selectivity towards ciprofloxacin oxidation. The current work has a rationally synthesized and characterized nanocomposite with a very high potential for rapid and sensitive detection of ciprofloxacin in spiked sheep blood serum and domestic runoff water samples. High sensitivity and low LOD results illustrate good practicability for the detection of ciprofloxacin in such samples in the near future.

Analysis of changes in hematological indexes and essential trace elements metabolism under the using of vitamin-amino acid complex

It has been established that the level of blood parameters in the body of sheep is not always stable and often depends on the breed, sex, their physiological state, the level of productivity, feeding and housing conditions. Among the factors that determine the optimal sheep nutritional level, not the last place is occupied by their provision with a sufficient amount of essential amino acids, especially lysine, methionine, cystine, and vitamins, given their physiological importance for the animal body. The overwhelming amount of them is able to be synthesized in the sheep rumen with the help of microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract, however, some of them are irreplaceable, that is, those whose balance must be replenished through feed rations. The article describes the use of the vitamin-amino acid complex "Аlphabet for Animals" in sheep, containing a complex of fat-and water-soluble vitamins, as well as amino acids, which contribute to the normalization of metabolism in the body of small ruminants, increase its resistance, have a positive effect on productivity, safety and reproductive animals functions. During the research, the effect of this feed additive on hemocytopoiesis and the exchange of essential micronutrients in ewes were studied. After a double use of the additive, an increase in the processes of erythrocytopoiesis was established, as evidenced by an increase in the number of blood erythrocytes by 21.2% and the hemoglobin content by 11.2%, stabilization of the size and degree of saturation of erythrocytes with hemoglobin, as evidenced by a decrease in MCH and MCV indices. There were no significant changes in the content of essential micronutrients in the blood serum of sheep under the influence of the "Alphabet for Animals", and a slight increase of zinc content in the blood was noted in sheep after the second injection of the drug. At the same time, in the blood of experimental animals group a significant increase the iron content on average up to 129.5±7.33 μg/100 ml (p&lt;0.05) was established, and the number of animals with a low amount of blood iron was only 12.5 %. The number of leukocytes in the sheep blood of both groups was within the normal range and during the second and third blood tests did not change significantly. Key words: sheep, feeding, feed additives, amino acids, vitamins, hemocytopoiesis, essential micronutrients.

Status of Critical Mineral Concentration in Soil and Blood Serum of Sheep, in the Case of Southern Ethiopia

Status of Critical Mineral Concentration in Soil and Blood Serum of Sheep, in the Case of Southern Ethiopia

Biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles using animal blood, their preventive efficiency of bacterial species, and ecotoxicity in common carp fish.

Possible high biodeterioration of the microorganisms due to their metabolic pathway and activities on stone materials causes solemn problems in cultural heritage. Different kinds of laboratory-scale methods have been used for the reduction of microbial growth, that is, chemical, mechanical, and physical, which are cost-effective and not ecofriendly. In the current study, an ecofriendly approach utilizing silver nanoparticles were synthesized using sheep blood serum. Transmission electron microscopy results have confirmed the spherical and well dispersed silver nanoparticles with an average size of 32.49 nm, while energy dispersive X-ray has shown the abundance of silver nanoparticles. The efficiency against bacterial species was verified through laboratory-scale testing. The strong antibacterial activity was confirmed when B-AgNPs was tested against different bacterial species isolated from the Beishiku Cave Temple. The largest zone of inhibition was measured 26.48 ± 0.14 mm against Sphingomonas sp. while the smallest zone of inhibition measured was 9.70 ± 0.27 mm against Massilia sp. Moreover, these ecofriendly B-AgNPs were tested for daily based dose in different concentrations (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 mg/L) against common carp fish for a long exposure (20 days) and 6.5% fatality was found. The highest lethal concentration (LC50 ) for fish (0.61 ± 0.09 mg/L). No doubt, the laboratory scale applications have revealed the best results with minute toxicity in fish. Therefore, sheep serum should be continued to synthesize silver nanoparticles on a large scale. A strict monitoring system should be developed for the synthesis and application of AgNPs.

Some clinical and laboratory aspects following oral administration of Citrullus colocynthis in Baluchi sheep

Citrullus colocynthis is a pharmaceutical plant which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. This plant is used in the treatment of many diseases, but its excessive usage causes poisoning and even death. In this study, the effects of different parts of Citrullus colocynthis including fruit, leaf, and fruit and leaf mixture on clinical, hematological, and biochemical parameters of sheep blood serum were investigated. Twenty male Baluchi sheep of about 1 year old were admitted to the study. The animals were divided into three treatment groups and one control group and received fruit, leaf, and fruit and leaf mixture of Citrullus colocynthis with a dose of 0.25 g/kg for 1 month. Repeated measures ANOVA statistical test by using SPSS statistical software was used to compare the results between groups. The results showed that the amount of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, total bilirubin, respiratory rate, heartbeat rate, and temperature, after the administration of Citrullus colocynthis, is significantly different (p < 0.05). These changes indicated that different parts of Citrullus colocynthis at the dose of 0.25 g/kg/BW for 28 days do not induce considerable adverse effects on several body systems. Moreover, their usage might have some benefits due to decreasing the amount of triglycerides and cholesterols.

МОРФО-БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СКРИНИНГ ПРИ ОСТРОМ СЕРОЗНОМ МАСТИТЕ У ОВЕЦ

Despite significant achievements in the agricultural sector, the problem of mastitis in sheep continues to be one of the most relevant for veterinary science and practice. Therefore, in current conditions, the solution of diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of this disease is urgently needed. The article presents morphological and biochemical parameters of sheep blood in acute serous mastitis. The research was at “Belozernoe” of the Salsk district of the Rostov region, with a total number of sheep of 956 heads. The complex of clinical and laboratory studies was performed on 12 sheep of the Sokolskaya breed (at the age of 2–3 years), with signs of acute serous mastitis. The control group consisted of clinically healthy sheep aged 2–3 years. In a clinical study of sheep, the researchers focused on the general condition, body temperature, heart rate, respiration, and scar movement in two minutes. The study has shown that in serous mastitis, there is an increase in body temperature to 40.5–40.9°C, pulse rate to 95 beats per minute, and respiration – up to 40 respiratory movements per minute. The frequency of scar contractions was 3–6 times in two minutes. During the clinical examination, the affected half of the sheep’s udder was enlarged 3–4 times in volume, compacted, the skin is tense, and the breast nipple is slightly enlarged and flaccid. The supravyminal lymph node enlarged in volume by 1.5–2 times, and the sick sheep reacted painfully to palpation. At the beginning of the inflammation, milk from the affected lobe had a white color. When the disease passed into a more severe form, it became watery with an admixture of blood. As a rule, severe mastitis was acute. There was a partial loss of appetite. The researchers established that acute serous mastitis in sheep is clinically manifested by depression, subfebrile or febrile increase in body temperature, moderate tachypnea, and tachycardia. In the blood of sheep with acute serous mastitis, there is a significant decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin. A pronounced neutrophilic leukocytosis develops with a simple shift of the regenerative nucleus to the left against the background of moderate eosinophilia. In the blood serum of sheep with acute mastitis, dysproteinemia is detected, characterized by a moderate decrease in albumin concentration and a significant increase in the content of alpha-globulins. In the blood serum of sick sheep, the concentration of iron also significantly decreases, and the content of copper increases.

Influence of putrefactive decomposition of sheep hooves on the cytomorphological composition and biochemical properties of blood

We studied the effect of putrefactive decomposition of sheep hooves on the cellular composition, physical and chemical properties of blood, as well as on the biochemical composition of its serum. In the production conditions of the sheep-breeding complex, orthopedic medical examination and identification of sheep with putrefactive decay of the hooves were carried out. Subsequently, blood samples were collected from 10 sick sheep and 10 clinically healthy animals for general clinical analysis and biochemical analysis of their serum. The selected blood samples were analyzed on the haematological automatic analyser "Abacus vet 10" and the semi-automatic biochemical analyser "Stat fax 300". In the biochemical composition of blood serum, putrefactive decay of hooves increased the concentration of total protein by 7.94%, total bilirubin by 22.08%, urea by 75.18%, and reduced the concentration of glucose by 17.88% relative to clinically healthy sheep. At the same time, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatine kinase in the blood serum of sheep with putrefactive hoof decay exceeded similar indicators in clinically healthy sheep by 9.65%, 9.16%, 13.70%, and 19.90%, respectively. In addition, the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the blood serum of sheep with putrefactive decay of hooves was by 15.44%, 9.64%, 3.49%, 25.35% and 9.78% less than in the blood serum of clinically healthy sheep.

Comparative Study of the Water-Soluble Antioxidants in Fodder Additives and Sheep Blood Serum by Amperometric and Biochemical Methods.

Simple SummaryFeed additives are widely used to enrich animal diets in order to optimize digestive and metabolic processes. However, variations in the technology of preparation of even single-component compositions can play a significant role in the effects of their use. The effects of chitosan as a feed additive for animals on various digestive processes are important to study because of the animal nutrition and production quality, healthcare and farming, etc. We studied the antioxidant activity of various feed components: chitosan from various manufacturers and a high protein microbiologic synthesis concentrate by amperometric method. The antioxidant activity values in the rumen content and sheep blood were then examined and evaluated using these feed additives in the diet. The animal experiments were carried out on six rumen-fistulated ewes (in three groups). The particular tendencies of correlation value changes of the antioxidant activity vs. major biochemical parameters of a blood serum of rumen-fistulated ewes (in three groups) or some indicators of the rumen content were obtained for the first time. These data and correlations can be useful for understanding of the features of the sheep antioxidant status and for the evaluation of the feed additives and factors in sheep nutrition.The effects of chitosan as feed additive for animals (FAFAs) on various digestive processes are an important to study because of the animal nutrition and production quality, healthcare and farming. The aims of this study were to evaluate the total amount of water-soluble antioxidants (TAWSA) of chitosan and high protein microbiologically synthesized concentrate as FAFAs; to assess the effect of these FAFAs on TAWSA values, parameters of sheep blood serum and rumen content by biochemical, physical and chemical methods. The laboratory studies of TAWSA values of feed components based on chitosan from different manufacturers or/and a high-protein concentrate were implemented. The animal experiments were carried out on six rumen-fistulated ewes (in three rounds of 14 days each, i.e., three groups) to confirm the results of the laboratory studies. The particular differences of the TAWSA of sheep blood by using both FAFAs by amperometric method were determined. A strong negative correlation −0.67 (or −0.86) was observed between TAWSA and the total protein (globulin’s) content in the blood for the Group 3 of animals. A moderate (0.40) or strong (0.73) positive correlation between TAWSA and total protein content in the blood for the Group 2 of animals than weak correlation 0.23 (or 0.26) for the control Group 1. In conclusion, the correlations between the value changes of TAWSA vs. major biochemical parameters of a blood serum of rumen-fistulated ewes (Group 3 > Group 2 > Group 1) or some indicators of the rumen content (ingesta pH, total content of volatile fatty acids, etc.) were found for the first time.

Амперометрическое детектирование водорастворимых антиоксидантов в кормовых добавках на основе хитозана и в сыворотке крови овец

The effects of chitosan on various metabolic and digestive processes in the animal body are an important to study because of the production quality for animal nutrition, healthcare, etc. The major known changes in the biochemical parameters of the animal liquids (by chitosan usage as feed additive) are the following: ratio of volatile and fatty acids, content of fat, mineral composition, etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total amount of water-soluble antioxidants (TAWSA) of feed additives based on chitosan and high protein concentrate of microbiological synthesis and to assess the effect of these feed additives on TAWSA values of sheep blood serum by amperometric method. Firstly, the antioxidant activity of feed components based on chitosan or/and a high-protein microbiological synthesis concentrate was studied in this work. Second, the experiments are carried out on 6 fistula animals to confirm the results of laboratory studies. Third, the determination of the total antioxidant activity of sheep blood by using chitosan additives (as the feed components) by amperometric method was carried out. A particular difference in antioxidant activity of the control and experimental samples of the sheep blood was established for the first time.

Experimental ecological research on the relationships of pathogenic microorganisms with algae

Aim. The ecological relationships between Leptospira interrogans spirochetes and Chlamydomonas proteus algae and the response explicitness of individual serological types of leptospires to the allelopathic effect of algae were to be investigated during the experiment. Methods. C. proteus algae monocultures were cultivated on the Fitzgerald’s medium in the Zehnder and Gorham’s modifi cation. Sterile fi ltrates of their cultures were diluted with the nutrient medium in the ratio of 1 : 10, 1 : 100, 1 : 1,000, 1 : 10,000. Leptospires were cultivated on the Terskih and Korthof’s medium with the addition of 10 % inactivated sheep blood serum. The test samples contained diluted culture fi ltrates of algae and leptospires. The control samples were the environment for algae and leptospires cultivation. Results. In the samples with the 1 : 10 – 1 : 100 dilution of algae fi ltrates, the content of leptospires in the test samples was signifi cantly lower than in the control samples, indicating their moderate and weak inhibition. There were no statistically signifi cant differences between spirochete culture densities in the test and control samples with the dilutions of 1 : 1,000–1 : 10,000 algae fi ltrates. Conclusions. In the experiment, a topical type of ecological interspecies relationships is formed between L. interrogans and green species of C. proteus algae, which is realized through the release of biologically active substances into the habitat by C. proteus. According to the increasing sensitivity to the allelopathic effect of C. proteus, serological types of leptospires formed a row: Tarassovi, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Australis, Sejroe, Canicola, Hebdomadis.

Biochemical parameters of blood sera of sheep vaccinated against Contagious agalactia

The paper presents data on the positive effect of the inactivated vaccine against contagious agalactia of sheep and goats developed in the National Scientific Center ‘Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine’ (Kharkiv, Ukraine) on the biochemical and immunological parameters of sheep blood serum. It has been proved that the vaccine is not reactogenic, does not have immunosuppressive action and corrects the recovery of serum albumin concentration in vaccinated sheep, namely by reducing α-globulins by 28.5% and β-globulins by 36.8% and has a positive effect on the growth of γ-globulin by 31.5%, activating the humoral level of immunity

Dynamics of thyroid hormones in Stavropol breed sheep in postnatal ontogenesis

The aim of the research was to study the dynamics of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland in Stavropol breed sheep in postnatal ontogenesis and the establishment of thyroid status in animals before insemination, during pregnancy and after childbirth. Determination of concentration of total triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone in serum was performed by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) using standard test systems. As a result of the studies, the level of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood of sheep of Stavropol breed in postnatal ontogenesis was determined. It was established that at the birth of lambs, the lowest level of triiodothyronine (2.55 ± 0.04 nmol/l), thyroxine (19.47 ± 0.45 pmol/l) and thyrotropic (0.31 ± 0.05 Mme/ml) hormone was observed in the blood, compared with other age periods. By the age of three months, the levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine increased significantly by 7.7% and 24.8%, respectively. When comparing the data in six monthly young ewes, the concentration of all studied hormones was the highest in comparison with other age groups (triiodothyronine – 3.11 ± 0.21 nmol/l; thyroxine – 26.29 ± 0.97 pmol/l; thyrotropic hormone – 0.81 ± 0.09 Mme/ml). In the age of nine months, a significant decrease in triiodothyronine by 16.8%, thyroxine - by 13.2% and thyroid-stimulating hormone - by 34.6% was observed, compared with ewes of 6 month old. By the age of 12 months, only free thyroxine was significantly changed, its serum concentration increased by 9.5% and amounted to 25.21 ± 0.31 pmol/l, compared with the data of nine-month-old sheep. It was found that the concentration of triiodothyronine changes significantly in sheep after childbirth and is 2.53 ± 0.03 nmol/l, which is 6.3% more than in pregnant ewes. The level of thyroxine on the 90th day of pregnancy decreases by 5.3%, and by the 135th day by 16%, compared with the previous period of the study. Thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood serum of sheep on the 90th day of pregnancy becomes significantly lower by 29% (p ⩽ 0.05) than its concentration in non-pregnant ones. After childbirth, thyroid-stimulating hormone significantly increased by 26.66% (p ⩽ 0.05). As a result of the studies, in sheep of Stavropol breed, standard sizes of the level of thyroid gland hormones (triiodothyronine, thyroxine) and thyroid-stimulating hormone were established.

Implications of Breed, Sexual Dimorphism and Age on Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) levels in the Blood Serum of Sheep managed under Traditional Extensive System

Serum biochemical traits constitute important panels in the clinical diagnosis prognosis and treatment of livestock diseases via the investigations of myriads of parameters influencing these biochemical references Sixty clinically healthy animals of three extant breeds of Nigerian native sheep Balami Yankassa and Uda were sampled to examine the roles of breed age and sexual dimorphism on aspartate aminotransferase levels in the blood stream of tropically managed sheep We present from our study that breed difference exerted no significance effect on serum aspartate aminotransferase levels of sheep considered but a numerically high levels were obtained in Yankassa plusmn UI dl relative to the least serum AST levels obtained in Uda plusmn IU dl Our findings revealed that sexual dimorphism had no marked influence on the serum AST levels examined but it was found that the AST levels in rams plusmn IU dl were higher relative to the ewes plusmn IU dl In the same trend age had no evident influence on serum AST levels examined Therefore this study affirms that breed age and sexual dimorphism do not provoke abnormally high levels of serum enzyme AST in the blood serum of sheep managed under tropical condition