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Substantial metabolic and oxidative stress and a decrease in immune function have been associated with increased sensitivity to several diseases in dairy cows during the transition period (before and after calving). We investigated the effect of supplementation with linseed (LS), rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), alone, or in combination with an organic source of selenium, on the plasma metabolic parameters during the transition (10 ± 3 days before to 42 days after calving). A portion of the total mixed ration (TMR) from the control group (C) was replaced with n-3 PUFA-rich LS in both experimental groups (LS and LS + Se), keeping the diets iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous. In addition, in the LS + Se group, inorganic sodium selenite was replaced by organic selenium. On day 42, we found (a) higher (P < 0.05) LDL level and Sodium ion concentration in the LS group than in the LS + Se and C groups; (b) lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of triglycerides and lactate in the LS and LS + Se groups than in the C group; and (c) higher (P < 0.05) urea concentration in the LS + Se group than in the C and LS groups. In conclusion, n-3 PUFA supplementation acted positively on lipid profile and no adverse effect on plasma metabolic parameters were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which compared the hematological and biochemical values in pregnant and non-pregnant red deer, Cervus elaphus, and fallow deer, Dama dama, found in the Brijuni Islands of Croatia. The goal of the study was to evaluate the health of the deer populations. In both species a significant reduction of red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, and a higher concentration of triacylgliceride, cholesterol, creatinine and alanine aminotransferase activity were seen in pregnant animals. The article also discusses the differences between blood glucose values and lymphocyte count in the deer.

Milk production, total blood cholesterol concentration and activity of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and glutation peroxidase (GPx) in blood of Simmental cows was monitored during two control periods (first control period - May 2004; second control period - June 2004). The objective was to determine a relationship between milk production and particular blood parameters, and their possible implementation as an indicator of milk production. Twelve Simmental cows from small-scale dairy farm in Zagreb County were included in the study. Cows originated from the same herd and were roughly of the same parity and stage of lactation. The average milk production and total blood cholesterol concentration were significantly higher in May then in June (20,55 L/d vs. 15,44 L/d; 4,55 mmol/L vs. 3,96 mmol/L, respectively), whereas the GPx and GGT activity was significantly lower in May in comparison with June (GPx=1720,66 U/L vs. GPx=1808 U/L, and GGT = 20,11 U/L vs. 23,22 U/L, respectively). A positive correlation between the milk production and the total blood cholesterol level was detected (r=0,58). The total blood cholesterol concentration in the blood plasma might have been one of the indicators of production performance in the Simmental cows herd, whereas the activity of stated enzymes may specify the nutritional status thereof the milk production depends on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Haematological tests are an important diagnostic tool for animal diseases. However, little is known beyond the standardly used haematological methods in sheep, especially those in which the detection of sheep red blood cells (RBCs) shape changes is crucial. Our goal is to obtain sheep RBC morphometric parameters as well as RBC subpopulations based on their morphometric parameters. Morphometric parameters of RBC size and shape were determined from stained blood smears using SFORM, a computer-assisted program for automated cell morphometric measurements. Based on their morphometric parameters, three RBC subpopulations were obtained using principal component and cluster analysis: the smallest and most elongated RBCs, the biggest and most rounded ones, and RBCs of average size and shape. When the values of RBC haematological parameters were higher or above the physiological range, a significantly higher proportion of both average size and shape RBCs, as well as the biggest and most rounded RBCs, was obtained. Since they were obtained from healthy animals, these results indicated the importance of determining morphometric parameters of RBCs and the proportion of each RBC subpopulation, which could serve as a basis for future possibilities in the diagnostic interpretation of haematological disorders in sheep, especially those for which the detection of shape changes in ovine RBCs is crucial. Data concerning the morphometric parameters of sheep red blood cells (RBCs) obtained using computer-assisted image analysis have not yet been investigated, and there are no data on any analyses of ovine RBC subpopulations based on their morphometric parameters. The aims of this study are to determine the values of RBC haematological and morphometric size and shape parameters, to form groups according to the obtained values of haematological parameters; to determine the differences in RBC morphometric parameters between the formed groups, and to determine RBC subpopulations and their respective proportions in the formed groups. Thirty-six blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of clinically healthy Lika pramenka sheep, aged between 2 and 5 years. Haematological parameters including haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HTC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and RBC distribution width were analysed using a haematology analyser. Haematological parameters were categorized into two groups: those with lower values or values below the physiological range (Groups 1) and groups with higher values or values above the physiological range (Groups 2). Morphometric parameters of RBCs were determined from stained blood smears using SFORM, a computer-assisted program. Significantly higher values of RBC area, outline, convex, minimal and maximal radius, as well as length and breadth were established in Groups 2 compared to Groups 1 of HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC, respectively. Based on the morphometric parameters of RBCs, three RBC subpopulations were obtained using principal component and cluster analysis: ES 1—the smallest and most elongated RBCs, ES 2—the biggest and most rounded RBCs, and ES 3—average size and shape RBCs. Significantly higher proportions of ES 2 and ES 3 subpopulations, as well as a significantly lower proportion of ES 1 subpopulation, were established in Groups 2 compared to Groups 1 of HGB, HTC, MCV, and MCH, respectively. It can be concluded that ovine RBC subpopulations, based on their morphometric parameters, can be obtained by using computer-assisted image analysis of RBC morphometry and multivariate statistical methods, including principal component and cluster analysis. RBC morphometry, including classification into subpopulations, could serve as a basis for future possibilities in the diagnostic interpretation of anaemic syndromes in veterinary medicine, especially in normocytic, macrocytic, and microcytic anaemias in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IMUNO-2865 ® on hematological and antioxidative parameters in sea bream. Total of 640 sea bream were fed with diets containing 0 (Group 1), 1 (Group 2), 10 (Group 3) and 25 (Group 4) g of IMUNO-2865 ® kg −1 feed during 90 days. Samples were taken each month and three months after the supplementation. A significant heterophils increase was observed in group 4 compared to group 1 after two months, and an increase in monocytes number was observed in group 4 compared to the other groups after one month. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) were significantly increased in groups 3 and 4 compared to the control group three months into the experiment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased in group 4 compared to the control group from day 60 until the end of the experiment, and in groups 2 and 3 compared to the control after three months. Based on the differences in the cellular immunity and oxidative stress parameters, with an overall absence of mortality, the results of this study suggest that the use of IMUNO-2865 ® in aquaculture is safe and possess a cumulative immunostimulatory effect on sea bream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]