Naz Fatima

Serum Biochemical Metabolites, Electrolytes And Minerals Profiling In Heat Stressed Donkeys (Equus Asinus) - 2012

Background
In developing countries, equines are used as a companion animal, for transportation, carrying goods, pulling carts and to ride. Heat stress (HS) is the major problem of tropical and subtropical region that adversely affects the performance of livestock by altering the physiological indices.
Objective
The current study is designed to report the dynamics of different physiological indices including serum electrolytes, minerals, biochemical metabolites, hepatic enzymes and thyroid hormones in heat stressed (HSd) donkeys (Equus asinus).
Materials and Methods
A total of 20 donkeys were involved (10 healthy and 10 clinically diagnosed as HSd), irrespective of their gender and age, in the current study. The health of the donkeys was evaluated by observing vital signs including body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and hematocrit. Blood was collected from each animal during summer season in August and serum was harvested by centrifugation, of clotted blood, at 4,000 rpm for 20 minutes. Serum samples were stored at -20°C for analysis. Serum electrolytes and minerals were determined using flame photometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively, after wet digestion of serum. Serum biochemical metabolites and hepatic enzymes were evaluated using commercial kits, spectrophotometrically. Serum thyroid hormones concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits. Normal distribution of the data was confirmed by Shapiro-Wilk test. Data was analyzed using Independent Student's t-test by employing Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Data was presented as means ± SE. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.
Results
Results revealed significantly higher heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature and hematocrit in heat stressed donkeys. Results revealed that serum sodium and potassium concentrations were significantly lower and serum calcium, magnesium and iron concentrations were significantly higher in heat stressed donkeys. However, there was no significant difference in Na/K ratio and serum chloride in HSd donkeys. Results revealed significantly higher serum total proteins, albumin, globulins concentrations, A/G ratio, LDL-cholesterol levels, T3, T4, AST, ALT, and ALP activity and homocysteine concentrations in heat stressed donkeys. However, serum HDL-Cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly lower. No significant difference in concentrations of serum glucose and cholesterol was observed.
Conclusion
Heat stress decreases electrolytes concentration and increases homocysteine and LDL-cholesterol levels that may account for increased risk of cardiovascular manifestations.



Department of Physiology

1437,T


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