Effects of age and sex on blood biochemistry of dorper lambs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological variations and influence of age group and sex on biochemical variables of 32 male and female Dorper sheep at the age of 15 to 121 days. Four blood samples were collected from each animal, at monthly intervals, totaling 128 samples. Biochemical variables determined in each sample were total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), albumin/ globulin ratio (A/G), glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (tCHOL), high density cholesterol carrying lipoproteins (HDL-C), low density cholesterol carrying lipoproteins (LDL-C), very low density cholesterol carrying lipoproteins (VLDL-C), urea, creatinine (CRE), total calcium ( t Ca), ionized calcium ( i Ca), phosphorus (P), calcium/phosphorus ratio (Ca/P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results were obtained in four moments according to age: M1 -sheep from 15 to 30 days, M2 -sheep from 45 to 61 days, M3 -sheep from 74 to 90 days and M4 -sheep from 105 to 121 days. Comparing the values of the biochemical variables among the four age groups studied a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the concentrations of all the variables evaluated except for Na, Cl and ALT. Sex did not influence (p > 0.05) the values of the biochemical variables analyzed. Based on the results, it is concluded that the age groups exert a significant influence on the majority of blood biochemical variables of Dorper sheep from 15 to 121 days of age.

Oral doxycycline pharmacokinetics: Lambs in comparison with sheep

“…In diseased animals, AST levels are indicative for kidney, muscle and heart diseases and to lesser extend to liver damages. Significant differences in the values of AST and ALT between lambs and sheep in our study are likely related to age and have been described in other studies (Abdel‐Fattah, Hashem, Shaker, Ellamei, & Amer, 2013; da Cruz et al, 2017). The observed almost twofold higher levels of AST in lactating sheep can be related to higher muscle mass in mature animals and gradual increase in the metabolic activity of the enzyme with age (da Cruz et al, 2017).…”

“…Significant differences in the values of AST and ALT between lambs and sheep in our study are likely related to age and have been described in other studies (Abdel‐Fattah, Hashem, Shaker, Ellamei, & Amer, 2013; da Cruz et al, 2017). The observed almost twofold higher levels of AST in lactating sheep can be related to higher muscle mass in mature animals and gradual increase in the metabolic activity of the enzyme with age (da Cruz et al, 2017). The ALT levels depend on liver function, and higher values in sheep than in lambs can be explained by age‐dependent maturation of liver function and differences in the feed (Abdel‐Fattah et al, 2013).…”

“…Significantly higher doxycycline plasma concentrations in lambs than in sheep can be discussed in relation to maturation in the function of excretory organs such as liver and kidney with age. The values of AST and ALT in sheep depend on many factors and differ according to the breed, gender, pregnancy, lactation, and age (da Cruz et al, 2017; Ramos, Verde, Marca, & Fernández, 1994). In diseased animals, AST levels are indicative for kidney, muscle and heart diseases and to lesser extend to liver damages.…”

Evaluation of Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites and Gene Expression Analysis in Egyptian Sheep Breeds, in Relation to Age

“…The results of this study are similar to results that obtained by Nour El-Dinet al (2009), El-Shahat et al (2014) and Shaker (2014) who reported that plasma glucose level for Awassi sheep was (54 mg/ dl) at 164 days, for Rahmani lambs was (50-55) during the period from 6 to 12 months, and for Barki ewes ranged from (39.8 to 46.93 mg/dl), respectively. While Cruz et al (2017) reported that, plasma glucose levels for Dorper sheep were 85.4 (mg/ dl) from 15 to 30 days of age, 78.6 (mg/ dl) from 45 to 61 days of age, 65.6 (mg/ dl) from 74 to 90 days of age and 52.1(mg/ dl) from 105 to 121 days of age.…”

“…Many studies reported that there is an inverse relationship between lambs' age and blood glucose concentration, the higher concentration of blood glucose with early age may be due to stress of new lambs or may also be due to milk suckling as an important source of energy for newborns, as the consumption of nutrients through suckling directly interferes with the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates (Braun et al, 2010;Abdel-Fattah et al, 2012;Abdel-Fattah et al, 2013;AL-Hadithy and Badawi 2015;Cruz et al, 2017;Rahman et al, 2018).…”