Ultrasonographic evaluation to diagnose hepatic lipidosis in Egyptian Zaraibi goats with vitamin B12 deficiency

Abstract

As little is known about the ultrasonographic features of hepatic lipidosis (white liver disease) in goats, this study was undertaken to evaluate the use of ultrasound for the diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis associated with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency in Egyptian Zaraibi goats. A total of 38 goats (28 with weight loss, diarrhoea and anaemia and 10 clinically healthy) were studied. Twenty-one goats were demonstrated to have cobalt and cyanocobalamin deficiency (0.33 ± 0.12 lmol/l and 0.17 ± 0.10 lg/l, respectively). Goats were examined with a real-time ultrasound system using a 5-MHz convex transducer. Ultrasound-guided liver biopsies and blood samples were obtained from each animal at examination. Based on the histopathological findings, diseased goats were classified as having mild (n = 6), moderate (n = 6) or severe lipidosis (n = 9). Ultrasonographic-hepatic changes were recorded in 19 (90.4%) out of 21 goats. Severe lipidosis showed diffuse hyper-echogenicity of hepatic parenchyma. However, focal hyper-echoic lesions with various shapes, sizes and positions were visualized in mild and moderate lipidosis. Liver size increased significantly (P < 0.05) in severely affected goats compared with the controls. Histopathologically, macrovacuolations, congestion of hepatic sinusoids and infiltration of the portal area with inflammatory cells and connective tissues were evident in moderate and severely affected cases. Journal of Advanced ResearchThere were varying degrees of anaemia, hypoglycemia and hypoproteinemia with significant increases (P < 0.05) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in diseased animals compared with the controls. In conclusion, ultrasound may be a useful diagnostic tool in goats with suspected hepatic lipidosis associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Effects of pregnancy and post-kidding stages on haematochemical parameters in cross-bred goats

“…In the present study, the haematochemical parameters of Anglonubian and Saanen × Anglonubian cross-bred goats were found to be in the normal range for healthy goats of various breeds and production systems (i.e. Žubčić 2001;Mellado et al 2006;Ríos et al 2006;Barakat et al 2007;Ismail et al 2008;Cook et al 2008;Sakha et al 2009;Okonkwo et al 2010;Rumosa et al 2010;El-Khodery et al 2011;Oni et al 2012). Values of the haematochemical parameters were similar in both breed groups, with the exception of GL levels.…”