Age-Related Changes in Acute Phase Reaction, Cortisol, and Haematological Parameters in Ewes in the Periparturient Period

Abstract

A well-functioning immune system is the basis for protection against infectious and metabolic diseases, and a smooth return to homeostasis. The periparturient period is considered critical because major changes in the endocrine, behavioural, digestive, and immune systems dysregulate immune function, leading to immunosuppression. With age, the immune system could become dysregulated. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare changes in plasma concentrations of acute phase proteins, cortisol, and haematological parameters in the peripheral blood of two age-related groups of healthy ewes to get a better understanding of changes around lambing. Two groups of ewes were enrolled in the study: 3-year-old (young; n = 9) and 7-year-old ewes (old; n = 9). All females were synchronised and inseminated. In blood plasma, serum amyloid A (SAA) and cortisol concentrations were measured using ELISA tests, a spectrophotometric method to determine haptoglobin (Hp), and a thrombin clottable estimation to determine the fibrinogen (Fb) concentration. The blood parameters were examined using an automated haematological analyser. In clinically healthy ewes, no significant effect of age was observed in SAA, Hp, Fb and cortisol concentration in most of analysed terms. SAA, Hp, Fb, and cortisol fluctuations typical for the periparturient period were observed. There were no age-associated differences in red or white blood cell parameters.

Dynamics of some biochemical parameters in two local sheep breeds depending on the season, altitude and the presence of parasites

“…Основен приоритет е да се определят стандартните параметри за нестресирани животни, отглеждани във всяка отделна страна и/ или географска и климатична зона, чрез изграждане на референтна таблица с местни данни за хематологични параметри, които трябва да се актуализират периодично, за да се направи правилно сравнение (Ouanes et al, 2011, Bezerra et al, 2017, Greguła-Kania et al, 2021. От друга страна, изследването на литературни източници, свързани с влиянието на екстремни стойности на факторите на околната среда върху хематологичните и биохимичните показатели, може да предостави ценна информация за възможностите за адаптация на избраната порода (Rahman et al, 2018, Khalil et al, 2022.…”

Differences in some biochemical parameters in two herds of Karakachan sheep depending on environment

“…An interesting study of the differences in hematological and biochemical parameters in Pramenka sheep raised at different altitudes in Bosnia and Herzegovina was done by Hrković-Porobija et al (2019). They found that almost all of the biochemical parameters showed variations between the sampling areas that could be caused by the influence of different geographic areas and floristic composition, as well as the current health status of the examined individuals, but calculated correlative values showed significant differences for individual hematological and biochemical parameters in sheep for both investigated areas.…”

“…A crucial priority is to define the standard parameters for non-stressed animals reared in each individual country and/or geographic and climatic zone, by building a reference table with local data of hematological parameters, which should be updated periodically to make a proper comparison (Ouaneset al, 2011,Bezerra et al, 2017, Greguła-Kania et al, 2021. On the other hand, the study of literary sources related to the influence of extreme values of environmental factors on hematological and biochemical indicators can provide valuable information about the adaptation possibilities of selected breed (Rahman et al, 2018,Khalil et al, 2022.…”