Plasma Biochemical Profiles Research Articles

Dynamic plasma biochemical profile changes of weaning piglets fed diets containing different levels of Bacillus spp. as a probiotic product

Abstract In this study, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of two levels of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051a (BS), respectively Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 21424 (BL) administered as direct-fed microbial DFM probiotic bacteria on plasma biochemical profile of weaning piglets fed diets. A total of 100 piglets, 30±3 day-old, with initial average body weight (BW) of 8.53±0.17 kg were randomly distributed to 5 homogeneous groups (C, E1-BS 1%, E2-BS 3%, E3-BL 1%, E4-BL 3%,), 2 replicates/group with 10 piglets/pens, for 16 days of biological trial. The doses used were: 1% low dose in a concentration of 1.6 x 109 CFU spores g-1 feed, and 3% high dose in a concentration of 4.8 x 109 CFU spores g-1 feed. Results showed that BS supplementation affected plasma concentration of GGT (P<0.017), TG (P<0.048) and Mg (P<0.0001). No effect (P>0.05) as diet*day interaction on plasma metabolic profile was observed. In conclusion, administration of Bacillus spp. maintains the concentration of blood plasma parameters within the physiological ranges, without affecting the piglet’s health status.

An Acute, Rather Than Progressive, Increase in Temperature-Humidity Index Has Severe Effects on Mortality in Laying Hens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature-humidity index (THI) on the mortality and the panting rates in hens exposed to varying thermal environments. Hens were challenged with an acute elevation in THI in Experiment 1, where dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity were set at ~27°C and 56% at the beginning of the experiment and changed to 36°C and 45% at its conclusion, respectively. In Experiment 2, different groups of hens were exposed to a progressive increase in THI, with similar ranges to those used in the previous experiment. In Experiment 3, the hens used in Experiment 2 were again challenged by THI conditions, the intensity of which ranged between those used in the previous two experiments. In Experiment 4, panting rates were recorded under varying THI. In the last, plasma biochemical profiles were determined in blood taken from hens subjected to experimental conditions similar to those in Experiment 2. When THI was acutely elevated from 24.2° to 32.1°C within 1 h and then maintained over 4.5 h, no mortality was detected in the first hour, but exceeded 95% after 5 h, and reached 100% at 5.5 h. A gradual increase in THI to 31.2°C over 6 h did not result in mortality during the first 3 h. When THI was set below the conditions in Experiment 1 but above those in Experiment 2, mortality was 29% at 4 h, 75% at 5 h, and 79% at 8 h. However, no mortality was detected in their respective control groups. Panting was not observed under 25.3°C and was largely variable under 30°C. However, all hens exhibited panting exceeding 250 counts/min and 60% mortality at 34°C when heat stress continued for a duration of up to 280 min. In Experiment 5, high ambient THI resulted in significant reductions in plasma albumin, amylase and aspartate aminotransferase, compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that an acute elevation of THI has more severe effects on mortality in hens than gradual changes even when temperature and humidity are similar in both cases.

Growth performance, breast yield, gastrointestinal ecology and plasma biochemical profile in broiler chickens fed multiple doses of a blend of red, brown and green seaweeds

ABSTRACT 1. A total of 864 d old (male) Ross × Ross 708 broiler chicks were allocated to 48 floor pens (12 pens/treatment and 18 birds/pen) to investigate dose-response of a blend of seaweeds (SB) on growth performance, breast yield, jejunal histomorphology, microbial metabolites and community and plasma biochemical profile. 2. A maize-soybean meal diet was formulated with 0, 5, 10 or 20 g/kg of SB. Diets were formulated for a three-phase feeding programme (starter: d 0–10, grower: d 11–24, and finisher: d 25–42) and met or exceeded Aviagen nutrient specifications. Diets were allocated to pens (n = 12) balanced for body weight (BW). Birds had free access to feed and water, BW and feed intake (FI) were monitored by phase. One bird per pen was randomly selected on d 42, bled for plasma, and samples for intestinal tissue and caecal digesta were taken. Microbial DNA was extracted and submitted for microbial community profile using the Illumina Miseq® platform. 3. In the starter phase, SB linearly (P ≤ 0.01) improved BW, body weight gain (BWG), and FCR. However, the improvement was quadratic, such that there was no further improvement beyond 5 g/kg SB inclusion. Growth performance response to SB in the grower phase was similar to the starter phase, with the exception of FCR (P > 0.05). Overall, from d 0–42, a linear and quadratic (P < 0.01) response was observed for final BW (d 42), whereby birds fed 5, 10 and 20 g/kg SB were heavier than control by 166, 183 and 180 g, respectively. A quadratic (P = 0.03) effect was observed for breast yield in response to SB. There was a quadratic reduction (P < 0.05) in gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and a linear increase in glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in response to SB. Supplemental SB linearly reduced (P ≤ 0.04) the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, and increased the abundance of phylum Firmicutes (linearly; P = 0.02) and Actinobacteria (quadratically; P = 0.03). 4. The data indicated that the optimal inclusion for SB was between 5 and 10 g/kg for improved growth performance and breast yield. However, increased abundance of Firmicutes and actinobacteria in the caecal digesta suggested that the higher doses enhanced prebiotic effects of seaweed components.

Intrauterine growth restriction in piglets alters blood cell counts and impairs cytokine responses in peripheral mononuclear cells 24 days post-partum

Large litter sizes have resulted in more piglets being exposed to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Growth restriction during fetal life is linked with lower growth efficiency and increased susceptibility to infections in postnatal life and IUGR may associate with an altered innate immune system. We investigated the haematological, thromboelastography and plasma biochemical profiles of IUGR and normal piglets as well as cytokine responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 24 days of age. Piglets were classified at birth based on their head morphology as either IUGR or normal. The present study showed a modulation of the immune function of IUGR pigs, characterized by an increase in neutrophil percentage and fibrinogen levels but a decrease in CD4+ T-cells. A lower level of LPS-induced IL-1β production was evident in IUGR pigs, suggesting immunological hypo-responsiveness. Furthermore, higher levels of reticulocytes, MCV and MCH and lower levels of erythrocytes in IUGR pigs suggest altered bone marrow hematopoiesis. All together, the results suggest a moderate suppression of the immune response of IUGR piglets, which may have implications for resistance to pathogen challenges in the post-weaning period. Serum metabolites and blood clotting profile did not differ between IUGR and normal piglets.

The influence of heat load on Merino sheep. 3. Cytokine and biochemistry profiles

Context Approximately 2 million sheep are exported from Australia on live export voyages annually. As voyages travel from a southern hemisphere winter to a northern hemisphere summer, production and welfare issues associated with excessive heat load may arise. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the responses of sheep to incremental heat load under simulated live export conditions, specifically the influence of heat load on the metabolic and inflammatory status of sheep. Methods A total of 144 Merino wethers (44.02 ± 0.32 kg) were used in a 29-day climate controlled study using two cohorts of 72 sheep (n = 2), exposed to two treatments: (1) thermoneutral, and (2) hot. Sheep in the hot treatment were exposed to heat load simulated from live export voyages from Australia to the Middle East. Blood samples were collected from all sheep (n = 144) on Day 1, then at 7-day intervals (n = 5) for the duration of each 29-day period. Blood samples were analysed to determine the cytokine, biochemistry and haematology (data not presented here) profiles. Cytokine and biochemical profiles were analysed using a repeated measures model assuming a compound symmetry covariance. The model fitted included terms for cohort and treatment (hot, thermoneutral), and a term for sample collection day (day) and a treatment × day interaction. The subject factor corresponded to the cohort × treatment combinations. Key results There were no consistent trends in plasma cytokine and biochemical profiles. Bicarbonate was the only parameter that was influenced by cohort (P = 0.0035), treatment (P = 0.0025), collection (P = 0.0001) and treatment × collection (P = 0.0025). Furthermore, interleukin-6 and glutamate dehydrogenase were the only parameters that were not influenced by cohort (P &amp;gt; 0.295), treatment (P = 0.2567), collection (P &amp;gt; 0.06) or treatment × collection (P = 0.34). Conclusions Overall, these data highlight that the metabolic and inflammatory status of sheep exposed to incremental heat load, during a simulated live export voyage from a southern hemisphere winter to a northern hemisphere summer, were not markedly altered. Implications These results provide a preliminary evaluation of the inflammatory and metabolic status of sheep on arrival in the Middle East.

Plasma glucose, triglycerides, VLDL, leptin and resistin levels as potential biomarkers for myocardial fat in mice

IntroductionThe increase in myocardial fat has been proposed as one of the main precursors of myocardial dysfunction of diabetic aetiology, independent of coronary artery disease. However, biomarkers reflecting the myocardial fat content for the clinical detection of this pathology are currently lacking. MethodsCorrelations between the content of cardiac triglycerides and plasma levels of the main molecules altered during diabetes and cardiac mRNA levels of genes involved in cardiac metabolism (Cd36 and Pdk4) have been explored in a murine model of insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet. ResultsIn insulin-resistant mice, the fatty diet increased myocardial triglyceride levels, compared to control animals fed with a standard diet. Cardiac triglyceride content was found to be directly associated with plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, VLDL, resistin and leptin In addition, an inverse correlation was observed between triglyceride content and cardiac mRNA levels of Cd36 and Pdk4. ConclusionsOur data reveal that cardiac triglyceride content is associated with an altered plasma biochemical profile and with a reprogramming of gene expression aimed at attenuating the impact of ectopic lipid accumulation in the myocardium.

Melatonin Supplementation Attenuates the Pro-Inflammatory Adipokines Expression in Visceral Fat from Obese Mice Induced by A High-Fat Diet.

Obesity is defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in white adipose tissue that results from the exacerbated consumption of calories associated with low energy expenditure. Fat accumulation in both adipose tissue and other organs contributes to a systemic inflammation leading to the development of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and improves inflammatory processes and energy metabolism. Using male mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD—59% fat from lard and soybean oil; 9:1) as an obesity model, we investigated the effects of melatonin supplementation on the prevention of obesity-associated complications through an analysis of plasma biochemical profile, body and fat depots mass, adipocytes size and inflammatory cytokines expression in epididymal (EPI) adipose depot. Melatonin prevented a gain of body weight and fat depot mass as well as adipocyte hypertrophy. Melatonin also reversed the increase of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. In addition, this neurohormone was effective in completely decreasing the inflammatory cytokines leptin and resistin in plasma. In the EPI depot, melatonin reversed the increase of leptin, Il-6, Mcp-1 and Tnf-α triggered by obesity. These data allow us to infer that melatonin presents an anti-obesity effect since it acts to prevent the progression of pro-inflammatory markers in the epididymal adipose tissue together with a reduction in adiposity.

Impact of acute handling stress, anaesthesia, and euthanasia on fish plasma biochemistry: implications for veterinary screening and metabolomic sampling.

Impacts of pre-sampling practices on fish plasma biochemistry may bias the outcome of a study if not considered within the general sampling strategy. Acute handling stresses can be imposed on fish during capture, and it is common practice to immobilise fish via sedation prior to obtaining blood samples for non-lethal extraction purposes, and/or to reduce stress, pain, or suffering before being euthanised. We investigated these potential influences using a Chinook salmon model (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) by measuring levels of 119 biochemical targets comprising ions, metabolites, and enzymes in plasma. Multivariate analyses showed that 2min of confinement with mild handling manipulation led to a significant departure from baseline metabolism, which was further exasperated during a prolonged 5-min challenge. These changes were characterised by a disruption in osmoregulation, a switch towards anaerobic metabolism, and shifts in ammonia recycling, among others. Sedation of fish with clove oil and AQUI-S® had major impacts on plasma biochemical profiles, with alterations signalling changes in glycolytic metabolism, respiratory modes, carbon flux through the TCA cycle, and lipid compartmentalisation. Sedation also enhanced levels of plasma amino acids, revealing a key difference between responses to handling stress and sedation. These results demonstrate that pre-harvest practices should be carefully managed during fish sampling for biochemical/metabolomic-based analyses, and if manipulations are essential, they should be standardised.

Niveles plasmáticos de glucosa, triglicéridos, VLDL, leptina y resistina como potenciales biomarcadores de la grasa miocárdica en ratones

IntroductionThe increase in myocardial fat has been proposed as one of the main precursors of myocardial dysfunction due to diabetic aetiology, independently of coronary artery disease. However, biomarkers reflecting the myocardial fat content for the clinical detection of this pathology are currently lacking. MethodsCorrelations between cardiac triglyceride content and plasma levels of major altered molecules during diabetes and cardiac mRNA levels of genes involved in cardiac metabolism (Cd36 and Pdk4) have been explored in a murine model of insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet. ResultsIn insulin-resistant mice, the fatty diet increased myocardial triglyceride levels, compared to control animals fed with a standard diet. The content of cardiac triglycerides was directly associated with plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, VLDL, resistin and leptin. In addition, an inverse correlation was observed between the content of cardiac triglycerides and the cardiac mRNA levels of Cd36 and Pdk4. ConclusionsOur data reveal that the cardiac triglyceride content is associated with altered plasma biochemical profile and reprogramming of gene expression aimed to mitigate the impact of ectopic lipid accumulation in the myocardium.

Chronic amoxicillin exposure affects Labeo rohita: assessment of hematological, ionic compounds, biochemical, and enzymological activities

Labeo rohita were exposed to amoxicillin at a concentration of 1 mg/L (Treatment -I) and 0.5 mg/L (Treatment-II) for a period of 35 days. Numerous alterations were found in amoxicillin treatment groups when compared to the control group. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and erythrocytes (RBCs) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Leukocytes (WBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. In the plasma and gill tissues, ionic compounds (sodium, potassium, and chloride) levels were significantly declined throughout the treatment period. The plasma biochemical profiles were significantly altered: glucose level remained low (except at the end of 7th day in Treatment -I) till 35 days of the treatment period. Biphasic trend occurred in the protein level, significant increase was observed on 7th and 28th day (Treatment -I and -II), and 35th day (Treatment -I), and in remaining days its level was found to be decreased. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity in the plasma was inhibited significantly, whereas in the gill, liver, and kidney tissues the enzyme activity was elevated. Plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activity was inhibited throughout the study period. GPT activity in the gill was found to be elevated during the treatment period. Liver GPT activity was elevated in all the treatments except 28th (Treatment-I) and 35th day (Treatment-I, and II). GPT activity in the kidney was elevated (except 14th day in Treatment-II). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was inhibited in plasma (except 14th day in Treatment-II), gill, liver (except 7th day in Treatment-I), and kidney tissues significantly (P < 0.05). The present study emphasizes that amoxicillin at 1 and 0.5 mg/L concentrations affects the hematological/biochemical/electrolytes/enzymological parameters of fish and these biomarkers serve as an effective test system for environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment.

Effects of feeding treatment on growth rates, metabolic profiles and age at puberty, and their relationships in dairy heifers

Puberty attainment in dairy heifers has been widely studied from a hormonal point of view, but few studies have focussed on puberty–blood profile relationships during growth. We led experiments to determine the effects of feeding treatments on growth parameters, age at puberty and plasma biochemical profiles, and the relationships between age at puberty and metabolic profiles at 6, 9, 12 and 15 months (mo) of age. Blood samples were collected from 67 Holstein heifers, born between September 2011 and February 2012, every 10 days from 5.5 mo of age until heifers were considered pubertal (plasma progesterone concentration greater than 1.0 ng/ml) or oestrus synchronisation (November 2012; 11 to 15 mo of age). Heifers born before 30 November were fed either a standard diet (SD, n=27) or an intensive-plane diet (ID1, n=27) from 0 to 6 mo of age. This strategy aimed to reach 190 to 200 kg (SD) or 220 to 230 kg (ID1) BW at 6 mo of age. All heifers born after 1 December received an intensive-plane diet (ID2, n=13) from birth until oestrus synchronisation, in order to reach a similar BW at first insemination as heifers born before 1 December. Only 56 heifers reached puberty before oestrus synchronisation, at an average age of 10.3±2.2 mo (6.2 to 14.4 mo) and a BW of 296±40 kg (224 to 369 kg). There was no difference among the three feeding treatments until 6 mo, but at 9, 12 and 15 mo of age, ID2 (n=11) heifers weighed 37, 52 and 30 kg more than SD (n=22) and ID1 (n=23) heifers (P<0.001), respectively. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron decreased with age, whereas β-hydroxybutyric acid, total cholesterol, creatinine, the creatinine : albumin ratio, alanine aminotransferase and chloride increased. The feeding treatment significantly affected creatinine, the creatinine : albumin ratio, and phosphorus and sodium levels, which were higher for ID2 heifers compared with SD and ID1. A logistic regression based on plasma metabolites at 6 mo of age to explain puberty attainment before or at 12 mo of age showed a positive relationship with plasma cholesterol (odds ratio=9.05). In conclusion, the feeding treatment had minor consequences on plasma metabolites, but it did affect growth performance.

Effects of short-term thermal stress on the plasma biochemical profiles of two Antarctic nototheniid species

Thermal elevation records in the Austral Ocean have raised questions about the physiological impacts on Antarctic organisms which have evolved under cold and stable water temperatures. Some notothenioid fishes exhibit species-specific responses to elevated temperature, yet the mechanisms involved in restoring homeostasis are unclear. Our study focused on the physiological effects of short-term (2–144 h) exposure to water temperatures of 8 °C on the plasma biochemical profiles of Notothenia coriiceps and Notothenia rossii, species that are abundant in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula, a region where increasing temperatures have been detected. Despite being phylogenetically similar, these species responded differently to thermal stress. N. rossii showed no changes in cortisol levels, and transient hyperglycemia was likely triggered by elevated catecholamine levels; conversely, metabolic and antioxidant defense parameters were unaffected. Increased gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity was observed only in N. rossii after 24 h at 8 °C, which assists in maintaining ionic homeostasis. In N. coriiceps, cortisol accurately indicated thermal stress. Increased cortisol levels in N. coriiceps additionally resulted in transient secondary responses such as hyperglycemia and hyperlactemia, as well as reduced levels of total protein, globulins and triglycerides. Unlike in N. rossii, catalase activity in N. coriiceps was modulated at 8 °C, and this parameter is thus considered a good biomarker of thermal stress. Results suggest that N. coriiceps is more sensitive to thermal stress than is N. rossii and that the former is a potential bioindicator for Admiralty Bay.

Enzyme replacement therapy prevents loss of bone and fat mass in murine homocystinuria.

Skeletal and connective tissue defects are the most striking symptoms in patients suffering from classical homocystinuria (HCU). Here, we determined body composition and bone mass in three mouse models of HCU and assessed whether a long-term administration of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) corrected the phenotype. The mouse models of HCU were analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the data were complemented by plasma biochemical profiles. Both the mouse model lacking CBS (KO) and the one expressing human CBS mutant transgene on a mouse CBS null background (I278T) showed marked bone loss and decreased weight mostly due to a lower fat content compared with negative controls. In contrast, the HO mouse expressing the human CBS WT transgene on a mouse CBS null background showed no such phenotype despite similar plasma biochemical profile to the KO and I278T mice. More importantly, administration of ERT rescued bone mass and changes in body composition in the KO mice treated since birth and reversed bone loss and improved fat content in the I278T mice injected after the development of clinical symptoms. Our study suggests that ERT for HCU may represent an effective way of preventing the skeletal problems in patients without a restricted dietary regime.

Developmental Programming of Obesity and Liver Metabolism by Maternal Perinatal Nutrition Involves the Melanocortin System.

Maternal obesity predisposes offspring to metabolic dysfunction and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Melanocortin-4 receptor (Mc4r)-deficient mouse models exhibit obesity during adulthood. Here, we aim to determine the influence of the Mc4r gene on the liver of mice subjected to perinatal diet-induced obesity. Female mice heterozygous for Mc4r fed an obesogenic or a control diet for 5 weeks were mated with heterozygous males, with the same diet continued throughout pregnancy and lactation, generating four offspring groups: control wild type (C_wt), control knockout (C_KO), obese wild type (Ob_wt), and obese knockout (Ob_KO). At 21 days, offspring were genotyped, weaned onto a control diet, and sacrificed at 6 months old. Offspring phenotypic characteristics, plasma biochemical profile, liver histology, and hepatic gene expression were analyzed. Mc4r_ko offspring showed higher body, liver and adipose tissue weights respect to the wild type animals. Histological examination showed mild hepatic steatosis in offspring group C_KO. The expression of hepatic genes involved in regulating inflammation, fibrosis, and immune cell infiltration were upregulated by the absence of the Mc4r gene. These results demonstrate that maternal obesogenic feeding during the perinatal period programs offspring obesity development with involvement of the Mc4r system.

Effects of different proportions of two Bacillus sp. on the growth performance, small intestinal morphology, caecal microbiota and plasma biochemical profile of Chinese Huainan Partridge Shank chickens

A total of 900 one-d-old Chinese Huainan Partridge Shank chickens were randomly allocated into nine groups with five replicates of 20 each. Birds were fed with basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 150 mg kg−1 aureomycin, basal diet supplemented with different proportions of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis, which was 0:1.0×106, 2.5×105:7.5×105, 3.3×105:6.6×105, 5.0×105:5.0×105, 6.6×105:3.3×105, 7.5×105:2.5×105 and 1.0×106:0, respectively. The duration of the experiment was 56 d. The results indicated that dietary supplementation of 6.6×105:3.3×105 of B. lichenifornis:B. subtilis improved final body weight, increased the average daily gain, and reduced feed/gain ratio (P<0.05). The numbers of total Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium sp. in the caecum significantly increased, and the numbers of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. significantly declined compared to that of the control (P<0.05). Intestinal villous height and villous height to crypt depth ratio of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were significantly higher than that of the control, and intestinal crypt depth of the duodenum and ileum was significantly lower (P<0.05). The total antioxidant capacity, total superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase ability in plasma significantly improved, while the malondialdehyde concentration in plasma decreased (P<0.05). Compared to the control, plasma concentrations of ammonia, uric acid and urea nitrogen and the activity of xanthine oxidase were reduced (P<0.05). In conclusion, an inclusion of 6.6×105:3.3×105 of B. licheniformis: B. subtilis to the diet improved the growth performance, caecal microbiota, plasma biochemical profile, and significantly improved the small intestine morphology, while reducing the mortality rate.

Effect of feedinghigh energy diet on the plasma biochemical profile and reproductive performance of lactating cross bred cows

Effect of feedinghigh energy diet on the plasma biochemical profile and reproductive performance of lactating cross bred cows

Blood Biochemical Profile of Assam Hilly Goats (Capra hircus)under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Mizoram, India

Present study reports the plasma biochemical profile of Assam hilly goats in Ago climatic condition of Mizoram. The glucose level (mg/dl) ranges from 47 to 64 with a mean value of 55.0±6.40, total cholesterol (mg/dl) from 74 to 85 with mean of 80.6±4.03, triglyceride (mg/dl) from 48 to 74 with mean of 62.6±9.32, HDL-Cholesterol (mg/dl) from 41 to 49 with mean of 46.2±3.34, creatinine (mg/dl) from 0.6 to 0.9 with mean of 0.76±0.11, total protein (gm/dl) from 6.7 to 7.5 with mean of 6.9±0.35, albumin (gm/dl) from 2.7 to 3.1 with mean of 2.98±0.19, globulin (gm/dl) from 3.6 to 4.8 with mean of 3.92±0.49, A:G from 0.56 to 0.89 with mean of 0.77±0.12, BUN (mg/dl) from 12.0 to 13.9 with mean of 13.4±0.79, uric acid (mg/dl) from 0.2 to 0.3 with mean of 0.22±0.04, total bilirubin (mg/dl) from 0.1 to 0.4 with mean of 0.3±0.12 and direct bilirubin level (mg/dl) ranges from 0.1 o 0.2 with a mean value of 0.12±0.04. Data generated may be of use as baseline values for blood biochemical profile of apparently healthy adult Assam hilly goats under Mizoram Agro-climatic conditions

COMPARISON OF PRE- AND POSTQUARANTINE BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND HEMATOLOGY VALUES FROM WILD-CAUGHT COWNOSE RAYS (RHINOPTERA BONASUS).

Though one of the most widely kept elasmobranchs in human care, the cownose ray (CNR; Rhinoptera bonasus ), remains a species with minimal published information on hematologic reference intervals. As part of a larger study investigating the health and nutrition of the CNR, this study established a preliminary data set of plasma chemistry and hematology values specific to animals recently caught from the wild and compared this data set (intake sample) to values obtained following a period of quarantine (27-40 days) in an aquarium (exit sample). Blood samples were collected from 47 wild female (n = 46) and male (n = 1) CNR caught in pound nets off the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina. Differences between intake and exit values were analyzed. Due to the preponderance of female animals, data were not analyzed for sex differences. Plasma biochemical profiles were performed and analyzed. A select number of complete blood cell counts were performed (n = 24 from 12 animals). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) specific to time of sampling were determined for packed cell volume, total solids, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, cholesterol, glucose, and aspartate aminotransferase. Values reported are a significant expansion on the existing limited data for CNRs and will serve as a reference for health assessment of individuals both in the wild and in exhibit populations.

Impact of sex and diet on hematological and blood plasma biochemical profiles and liver histology of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.))

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the impact of diet and sex on the hematological and blood plasma biochemical profiles and the liver histology of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.) reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) (initial mean body weight (BW) 1.35 kg). The proximate composition of the two commercial feeds used were (protein/lipid/nitrogen-free extracts) (P/L/NFE)) P505/L118/NFE294 g kg−1 (group I) and P471/L141/NFE290 g kg−1 (group II). Neither diet nor sex had a significant impact on final fish body weight (≈ 2.0 kg). Sex was noted to significantly impact glucose content (Glu – higher in males) and cholesterol (Chol – higher in females) in the blood plasma. Diet was confirmed to have a significant impact on levels of hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and the values of these indicators were higher in group I. Sex had a significant impact on Ht, Hb, MCH, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), with higher values in male pikeperch. Diet and sex had significant impacts on the values of the pikeperch hepatosomatic index (HSI), hepatocyte size and that of their nuclei, and the values of the nucleocytoplasmic index (NCI).

Effect of Ovsynch and Mid-Cycle PGF2α Treatment Protocols on Conception Rates and Plasma Biochemical and Minerals Profile in Repeat Breeding Cows and Buffaloes

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Ovsynch and Mid-cycle PGF 2 α protocols on conception rate and influence on plasma biochemical and mineral constituents in 20 each repeat breeding cows and buffaloes equally divided into Ovsynch and Mid-cycle PGF 2 α protocols. Ten each healthy early postpartum cows and buffaloes served as normal cyclic controls. All the animals were inseminated at mid-estrus using good quality frozen-thawed semen and were kept under observation for next estrus or pregnancy. The first service conception rates at induced estrus obtained in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes were 50.00 and 40.00 % in Ovsynch protocol, and 40.00 and 50.00 % in mid-cycle PGF 2 α treatment, respectively, and 40.00 % each in normal control group. The overall mean values of total protein for conceived and non-conceived cows of Ovsynch protocol were 7.98±0.17 and 7.38±0.11 g/dl and for buffaloes 9.18±0.18 and 7.30±0.05 g/dl, respectively, being significantly higher in conceived ones in both the species. The mean cholesterol level in Ovsynch protocol was insignificantly higher in non-conceived than conceived cows (197.43±13.45 vs. 176.80±9.54 mg/dl). Contrary to this finding, in buffaloes it was higher in conceived than non-conceived group (149.43±9.02 vs. 135.65±9.81 mg/dl). No significant difference was observed in total protein and cholesterol profile between conceived and non-conceived groups of cows and buffaloes under Mid-cycle PG treatment. Also no significant differences were observed in values of calcium and inorganic phosphorus between days and between conceived and non-conceived groups of cows or buffaloes, apparently the values of both were higher in normal cyclic groups as compared to repeat breeders. The overall pooled values of calcium and phosphorus in cows under Ovsynch protocol were 9.17±0.12 and 4.44±0.10, and under Mid-cycle PGF 2 α group 9.23±0.10 and 4.61±0.05 mg/dl, respectively, while in buffaloes the corresponding values under Ovsynch protocol were 9.88±0.10 and 4.94±0.05, and under Mid-cycle PGF 2 α group 9.33±0.10 and 4.67±0.05 mg/dl, respectively. From the results, it can be inferred that hormonal therapies used significantly improved the pregnancy rates in repeat breeding cows and buffaloes under field conditions, without influencing the plasma biochemical and minerals profiles.