Summary:In this study, a total of 24 Akkaraman lambs with clinical signs that are reminiscent of photosensitization composed the experimental group (Group I). Additional 10 healthy lambs were included as controls (Group II). We were aimed to make definitive diagnosis of photosensitization, which can be confused with blue tongue, big head and sunburns and to establish etiology as primary or hepatogenous. In total blood analyses, the leukocyte count was higher, but thrombocyte count was lower (thrombocytopenia) in Group I compared to Group II. The lower MCV indicates presence of a case of microcytosis. Furthermore, affected lambs had significantly higher levels of phylloerythrin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and serum urea nitrogen. Histopathological lesions included periaciner necrosis, periportal fibrosis and biliary duct hyperplasy. The grazing field, where the lambs had been grazing, was very rich in Tribulus terrestris, a hepatotoxic plant. Based on the increased levels of phylloerythrin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase as well as pathological findings in liver, the cases were diagnosed as hepatogenous photosensitization. In addition, presence of Tribulus terrestris in the grazing pasture strongly supported the diagnosis. Increased levels of serum malondialdehyde in affected lambs showed an ongoing oxidative stress. In addition, thrombocytopenia in such cases should be considered as a risk factor for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Thus in addition to a semptomatical treatment protocol, use of antioxidants, anticoagulants, and liver protective agents shoud be taken into consideration in hepatogenous photosensitization in lambs.Key words: Lamb, malondialdehyde, microcytosis, oxidative stress, photosensitization, Tribulus terrestris, thrombocytopenia,
Akkaraman kuzularda hepatojen fotosensitizasyon: oksidatif stres ve trombostopeniye özel vurguÖzet: Bu çalışmada, klinik olarak fotosensitizasyona benzeyen semptomlar gösteren farklı cinsiyetten 24 (Grup I) ve 10 tane de sağlıklı (Grup II) Akkaraman kuzu çalışmanın hayvan materyalini oluşturdu. Kuzularda mavi dil, big head (koca kafa) ve güneş yanığı ile karışabilen fotosensitizasyonun kesin tanısının yapılması, etiyolojik olarak primer veya sekonder (hepatojen) tip olup olmadığının ortaya konması amaçlandı. Sağlıklı kuzulara göre hastaların lökosit sayısının yüksek, trombosit sayısının ise düşük (trombositopeni) olduğu saptandı (P<0.001). Ayrıca düşük MCV değeri mikrositozis olarak değerlendirildi. Biyokimyasal analizlerde hasta kuzuların filloeritrin, γ-glutamil transpeptidaz, aspartat aminotransferaz, alkalin fosfataz, kolesterol değerlerinin P<0.001 ve serum üre nitrogen değerinin ise P<0.01 düzeyinde yüksek olduğu belirlendi. Histopatolojik incelemede periasiner nekrozis, periportal fibrozis ve bilier kanal hiperplazisi ortaya kondu. Yapılan mera taramasında, kuzuların otlatıldığı tarlaların bitki örtüsünün demir dikeni (Tribulus terrestris...