A comparison of serum biochemical changes in two breeds of sheep (Red Masai and Dorper) experimentally infected with Fasciola gigantica

• Published in: Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 47 - 49
• Main Authors: Waweru, J.G, Kanyari, P.W.N, Mwangi, D.M, Ngatia, T.A. (Nairobi Univ. (Kenya). Dept. of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology), Nansen, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa AOSIS (Pty) Ltd 01.03.1999
• Subjects: AFRIQUE DU SUD; Animals; Bilirubin - blood; EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION; Fasciola; FASCIOLA GIGANTICA; Fascioliasis - blood; Fascioliasis - etiology; Fascioliasis - veterinary; gamma-Glutamyltransferase - blood; Genetic Predisposition to Disease - blood; Genetic Predisposition to Disease - veterinary; INFECCION EXPERIMENTAL; INFECTION EXPERIMENTALE; OVIN; OVINOS; Serum Albumin - analysis; SHEEP; Sheep Diseases - blood; Sheep Diseases - genetics; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; SOUTH AFRICA; SUDAFRICA
• ISSN: 0030-2465; 2219-0635

Twelve Red Masai and 12 Dorper sheep aged between 6 and 9 months, were acquired from a fluke-free area and sheep of each breed divided into two equal groups of six. Each animal in one group of each breed was experimentally infected with 400 viable metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica. The other groups acted as uninfected controls. Blood samples were taken at weekly intervals for the determination of serum bilirubin, albumin, and gamma glutamyl transferase levels. Following the establishment of infection, albumin levels declined in both breeds of infected animals without any significant difference between the two breeds. However, serum bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the infected animals were elevated significantly more in the Dorper than in the Red Masai sheep. Based on these findings, it would appear that Dorper sheep are more susceptible to the infection than Red Masai sheep.