Physiological and hematological parameters of sheep reared in the tropics and subtropics

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the physiological and hematological parameters of sheep in Brazil. Therefore, 5,081 observations were used from previous experiments with animals from different Brazilian regions with the time of day, gender, breed, age, physiological characteristics, hematological and climatic variables. The animals were classified according to their stress level, and only data of non-stressed animals were used to calculate the reference values. Respiratory rate was the parameter that most differed from the normal range, with values above the limits usually reported for the species, being higher in commercial wool sheep. For hematological variables, differences were observed between the present results and the previously reported values in the literature. A higher number of red blood cells (RBC), lower hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were observed in young animals. A higher number of RBC and MCHC were noted in sheep crossed with local breeds. Considering that physiological and hematological parameters are indicators of the animal's pathological or physiological state, for a correct interpretation of the results, the use of reference values based on animals with similar racial characteristics and subjected to similar environmental conditions is recommended.

Microbiological Composition of Diets of Cactus Pear-Based with Increasing Levels of Buffel Grass Hay and Relationship to Nutritional Disorders in Sheep

“…However, this effect does not allow the inference of any pathological change in the animals, since, of the physiological parameters analyzed, rectal temperature and respiratory rate are the parameters that could indicate some type of anomaly in thermal comfort or in the health of the animals [ 20 ]. Nevertheless, the mean values of these parameters are in accordance with the reference values used by [ 21 ] for Dorper sheep that have been naturalized or crossed with native sheep, under tropical conditions, which are 38.3–39.9 °C and 20–34 moves per minute, respectively. These results reinforce that the animals get adapted to a high load of potentially pathogenic microorganisms.…”

Influence of litter size on the hematologic profile of Awassi ewes during gestation and lactation

“…The physiological status (sex, pregnancy, and lactation) and clinically normal and healthy status of an animal without hematological parameters can have low accuracy and reliability (Al-Samarai and Al-Jbory, 2017). Hematological parameters in sheep and goats show considerable variability depending on the breed, age, sex, physiological state, and genotype of the animal (Oramari et al, 2014;Arfuso et al, 2016;Ahmed et al, 2018;Seixas et al, 2021). Santarosa et al (2021) discuss the effects of pregnancy-associated physiological changes on maternal hematopoiesis.…”

Perfil hematológico e bioquímico de ovinos da raça Lacaune criadas na Zona da Mata Nordestina

“…No Nordeste, os trabalhos relacionados a parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos de ovinos foram realizados com as raças Dorper, Santa Inês e Morada Nova (Madureira et al, 2013;Lima, et al, 2015;Pereira et al, 2015;Silva, et al, 2020;Seixas et al, 2021), não havendo estudos com a raça Lacaune, que nacionalmente foi avaliada somente em rebanhos gaúchos utilizando fêmeas gestantes e lactantes (Brito et al, 2016).…”