Echocardiographic Dimensions and Selected Hemato-Biochemical Constituents of Clinically Normal Rahmany Sheep in Egypt

Abstract

E CHOCARDIOGRAPHIC and the related hemato-biochemical reference measurements are not reported in Rahmany sheep in Egypt before. Our goal is to record the normal echocardiographic dimensions using M-mode and Doppler techniques in such breed of sheep in Egypt along with related selected hemato-biochemical values. In 25 clinically healthy female Rahmany sheep aged between 4 and 5 years with a weight of 70-80 kg, selected to be non pregnant and non lactating, echocardiography was conducted for wake sheep in the lateral recumbency. M-mode echocardiography parameters include Left ventricle end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, interventricular septal thickness in diastole and systole, left ventricle free wall thickness in diastole and systole, heart rate, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, cardiac output, stroke volume, fraction shortening, and ejection fraction. Aortic root diameter, left atrium diameter, and the left atrium / aortic diameter ratio were recorded. Doppler echocardiography was used for the assessment of the aortic and pulmonary artery blood flow velocities: peak velocity (PV) and pressure gradient (PG). The Left ventricle diastolic parameters including early (E max ) and late (A max ) velocities and, E max /A max ratio, were obtained. Whole blood and serum samples for selected hematological and serum biochemical constituents include protein profile, total bilirubin, glucose, urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, cardiac troponin I, potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Differences were reported in Rahmany sheep when compared to other breeds of sheep.In conclusion, Echocardiographic, and hemato-biochemical measurements in Rahmany sheep can provide normal reference ranges that could be useful in the accurate detection of cardiac structural and functional abnormalities to help in the diagnosis of heart diseases.