Original scientific paper

Effects of latent Q fever infection on selected hormonal, antioxidant, biochemical and haematological parameters in sheep.

Nina Čebulj-Kadunc ; Institute of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Branko Krt ; Institute of Microbiology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Andrej Škibin ; Centre for Sustained Recultivation Vremščica, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Alenka Nemec-Svete ; Clinic of Surgery and Small Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare various endocrine, antioxidant, haematological and biochemical parameters between Coxiella (C.) burnetii positive and negative ewes in order to evaluate the possible effects of infection on selected blood parameters. For this purpose, serum leptin and haptoglobin (Hp) concentrations, whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and haematological parameters were compared between C. burnetii positive and negative ewes that were sampled in the autumn and winter months of 2006, before the Q fever infection outbreak in the spring of 2007. C. burnetii antibodies and haptoglobin concentrations were measured by commercial ELISA kits, leptin concentrations by a commercial RIA kit and GSH-Px activity by a commercial reagent kit. Out of 26 clinically healthy ewes, 15 exhibited C. burnetii antibodies in May 2007; among them, 8 had already been C. burnetii positive in the autumn months. Rises in Hp and leptin concentrations as well as of GSH-Px activity, haematocrit and mean cell volume were observed in samples taken between September and December 2006 in positive and negative ewes. Red blood cell count and haemoglobin values remained unchanged, while a decrease in white blood cell and platelet count was detected in the same period in both groups of ewes. The majority of the selected blood parameters remained in the reference range for sheep. The observed changes of the studied parameters are most probably a result of seasonally induced fluctuations or physiological changes, such as pregnancy progression, and cannot be attributed to the influences of the infection with C. burnetii. Therefore, the subclinical form of Q fever is not a factor which should be considered when evaluating values of circulating leptin, GSH-Px or haematological parameters in sheep.

Keywords

Q fever; sheep; leptin; haptoglobin; glutathioonne peroxidase; haematology

Hrčak ID:

130383

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/130383

Publication date:

5.12.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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