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Haematological and biochemical studies help in understanding the relationship of blood characteristics to the habitat adaptability of the species to the environment. The aim of this study was to compare the white blood cell (WBC), thrombocytes (TC) and serum protein levels of three fish species (Mugil cephalus, Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax, collected in the Tyrrhenian sea and to establish the similarities and differences between these species. Blood samples, taken by caudal vein of 25 specimens of each species, were collected into vacutainer tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the determination of WBC and TC and into tubes without anticoagulant for the evaluation of serum protein profile. Statistical analysis confirmed statistical differences in immune blood cells and serum protein among the three species. Our findings show a higher number of WBC and TC in S. aurata respect to the other species that indicated fundamental defence mechanism in this fish. The differences found in serum total proteins and their fractions among the species might reflect their different nutritional status and feeding habits. These interspecies differences provide useful information that can improve the management and care of farmed fish.

Rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates, and the course of some blood parameters were monitored in calves during perinatal and neonatal periods. The study was carried out on eight Limousine calves. From all subjects, rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured. Blood samples were taken at the same hour (9am) from the external jugular vein, and then centrifuged and stored until analyses. By means of an UV spectrophotometer, the following blood parameters were assessed for each subject: total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea, creatinine, cholinesterase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hydroxybutirate, glutamate pyruvate transaminases (GPT), glutamate oxalacetate transaminases (GOT), direct and total bilirubin, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, chloride and sodium. The results showed a significant effect of days of life (PRealizou-se o monitoramento da temperatura retal das frequências cardíaca e respiratória e de alguns parâmetros sanguíneos em oito bezerros da raça Limousine, durante o período perinatal e neonatal. Paralelamente às mensurações da temperatura retal e das frequências cardíaca e respiratória (9h), foram pesquisados, por meio de espectrofotômetro de UV, proteína total, colesterol total, triglicérides, glicose, ácidos graxos não esterificados (NEFA), ureia, creatinina, colinesterose, lactato desidrogenase (LDH), hidroxibutirato, glutamato piruvato transaminases (GOT), direta e total bilirrubina, magnésio, fósforo, cloretos e sódio. Os resultados mostraram efeito significativo dos dias de vida (P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the season (ambient temperature and relative humidity) on some blood metabolites in dairy cows during postpartum period. Blood samples were collected from 195 clinically healthy dairy cows of 8 Italian dairy herds in spring (April–May 15.5±4 °C and 69.5±0.7 %), summer (June–July 23±1.5 °C and 69±1.3 %) and autumn (September–October 17±2 °C and 72.5±2 %). Total proteins, albumin, globulins, urea, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate and haptoglobin were analysed. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect of the season (P

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of shearing ewes during summer season on the evolution of body weight and serum total proteins. Forty Valle del Belice (Sicily, Italy) ewes, clinically healthy and well-fed, were divided into two groups of 20 subjects each. Twenty ewes were let unshorn as a control group (Group A) and 20 ewes were shorn (Group B). All animals were weighed using a mechanical balance in the morning before shearing and the measurements were repeated for each subject of Groups A and B after shearing (1 day) and after 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days from the shearing. In experimental days climatic conditions were recorded and temperature humidity index was calculated. Blood samples were collected by means of a jugular venipuncture and were centrifuged; and the obtained sera were separated to assess serum concentration of total proteins. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni’s test, was used to determine significant differences between two groups for body weight and total proteins. ANOVA did not show a significant effect of shearing and of time on body weight but showed a statistical significant effect of shearing and of time on total proteins. These confirm that shearing induces adaptive responses in the organism. Both shorn and unshorn ewes are subject to heat stress, but it is evident there is a different sensitivity to heat stress in shorn ewes in comparison with unshorn ewes., El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la influencia del esquilado de ovejas durante la temporada de verano sobre la evolución del peso corporal y las proteínas séricas totales. Cuarenta ovejas del Valle del Belice (Sicilia, Italia), clínicamente sanas y bien alimentadas, se dividieron en dos grupos de 20 individuos cada uno. Veinte ovejas se dejaron sin esquilar como grupo control (Grupo A) y 20 ovejas fueron esquiladas (Grupo B). Todos los animales fueron pesados por la mañana antes de la corta utilizando una balanza mecánica y las medidas se repitieron para cada individuo de los Grupos A y B 1, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 y 90 días después del esquileo. Durante los días de experimentación se registraron las condiciones climáticas y se calculó el índice de temperatura-humedad. Se obtuvieron sueros en los que se evaluó la concentración de proteínas totales. Se utilizaron análisis ANOVA, seguidos del test de Bonferroni, para determinar diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos para el peso corporal y las proteínas totales. No hubo un efecto significativo del esquilado y del tiempo transcurrido sobre el peso corporal, pero sí huboun efecto significativo del esquilado sobre las proteínas totales. Esto confirman que el esquilado induce respuestas de adaptación en el organismo. Tanto las ovejas esquiladas como las que no se esquilaron estuvieron sometidas a estrés por calor, pero la sensibilidad de los dos grupos a este estrés es diferente.

Rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates, and the course of some blood parameters were monitored in calves during perinatal and neonatal periods. The study was carried out on eight Limousine calves. From all subjects, rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured. Blood samples were taken at the same hour (9am) from the external jugular vein, and then centrifuged and stored until analyses. By means of an UV spectrophotometer, the following blood parameters were assessed for each subject: total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea, creatinine, cholinesterase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hydroxybutirate, glutamate pyruvate transaminases (GPT), glutamate oxalacetate transaminases (GOT), direct and total bilirubin, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, chloride and sodium. The results showed a significant effect of days of life (P

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of exercise on serum homocysteine and oxidative stress in Thoroughbreds during official races. For our study, ten Thoroughbred mares, 5 years old and clinically healthy, were used. The horses were trained to take part in an official 2100 meter race. Reactive oxygen species (dROMs), antioxidant barrier (Oxy-adsorbent), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp) and homocysteine (sHcy) were investigated. Blood samples, collected from each horse at rest, immediately after the race, and 30 and 180 min after the end of the race, were collected by jugular venipuncture using vacutainer tubes with no additive for the assessment of dROMs, Oxy-adsorbent and SHp by means of a UV spectrophotometer, while serum total Hcy values were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection and isocratic elution. Statistical analysis, one way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's test, showed statistical differences (P0.05 was considered statistically significant) for all parameters studied. Moreover, a coefficient of linear correlation (r) was computed for values of dROMs and sHcy for all sampling times but a significant linear regression (r = 0.94) was found only after the race. The variations of sHcy, dROMs, Oxy-adsorbent and SHp during the experimental period considered suggest the important role of oxidative status in the athletic horse. The systematic analysis of oxidative stress and its influence on homocysteine levels contribute to the clinical evaluation and assessment of the athletic performance of the horse.