Dynamics of biochemical parameters in lambs during the first four months of life

Abstract

Ruminants Full-length research article Dynamics of biochemical parameters in lambs during the first four months of life ABSTRACT-We aimed to verify whether age influences the biochemical profile of healthy lambs during the first four months of life by characterizing the dynamics of its parameters and verifying whether there are differences between the profiles of growing animals and the reference values established for adults. Blood samples of 34 ½ White Dorper × ½ Suffolk female lambs were collected at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age, and the serum concentrations of total proteins, total globulins, albumin, urea, creatinine, bilirubins (total, conjugated, and unconjugated), total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase were determined. Descriptive statistics of these parameters were performed to compare them with the reference intervals used for adult sheep. Age influenced the dynamics of all the biochemical parameters between 30 and 120 days of age. Moreover, except for the total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubins, total cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase means, the values of the lambs differed from the reference intervals established for adults. In conclusion, there is an influence of age on biochemical parameters in healthy female lambs in the first four months of life, and often the biochemical parameters of young animals differ from those of adults. Therefore, the interpretation of tests performed on growing animals should be made based on specific reference intervals for this age group.

The Effects of Age on Biochemistry Profiles of Aceh Cattle Blood

“…Albumin concentrations were also higher in the age group >4-6 years old (4.52±0.40 g/dL) compared to the age group 2-4 years old (4.09±0.45) but not significantly different. This higher total protein concentration in the older age group is in accordance with studies that have been carried out on male cattle (Irfan, 2014), calves (Nagy et al, 2014;Souza et al, 2020), Brahman cattle (Kristanto and Widiyono, 2021), African buffaloes (Couch et al, 2017), goats (Antunović et al, 2020), donkeys (Sow et al, 2017), camels (Ahmadi-hamedani et al, 2014), dogs (Brenten et al, 2016;Lee et al, 2020), pigs (Yu et al, 2019), and broiler chickens (Tothova et al, 2019). Tothova et al (2016) stated that age is one of the most important factors that affect the concentrations of serum protein and its fractions (albumin and globulin).…”

Serum biochemical reference ranges for lambs from birth to 1 year of age in the tropics

“…Principal sources of cholesterol are exogenous cholesterol derived from dietary sources, particularly from dams' milk, whereas endogenous cholesterol is synthesized from acetyl-coenzyme A in the liver (González & Scheffer, 2009). Lambs tend to exhibit reduced cholesterol concentrations with advancing age due to changes in diet (Souza et al, 2020). Our results show greater variability (15-139.9) in lambs at birth up to 1 year in the tropics, which is related to diet or a greater need for body fat deposition.…”

Slaughter Indicators, Carcass Measures, and Meat Quality of Lamb Fattened with Spelt (Triticum aestivum spp. Spelta L.)

“…The significant decrease in triglycerides with aging might have been caused by changes in feeding management, as well as by the improvement in hepatic maturation and the ability to metabolize lipids [ 60 ]. Spelt did not significantly ( p > 0.05) affect the activity of the enzymes SOD and GPX, thus not affecting the antioxidant activity of lamb’s blood, but a trend of higher values is present in the lambs fed with spelt.…”