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Abstract Background Sarcocystis species are intracellular protozoan parasites that can pose a threat to animal health and food safety. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of infection with Sarcocystis infection in sheep from China. Results In total, 52.51% (335/638) of tissue samples from domestic sheep contained sarcocysts through examination by light microscopy. The organisms were identified as S. tenella and S. arieticanis by molecular assays. Macroscopic S. gigantea and S. medusiformis were not found. The average sarcocysts loading was 18.07 ± 29.87 per square centimeter in the myocardium of domestic sheep. Furthermore, two specimens of argali (Ovis ammon) were examined and sarcocysts were found in the myocardium of one animal. According to the sequence of the cox1 gene of sarcocysts from argali, it was speculated as S. tenella. Conclusions We found a high prevalence and parasite load of Sarcocystis in sheep from both central and northwest China. This report is the first to indicate that argali may be a natural intermediate host for S. tenella.

Biochemical and electrolyte parameters play an assistant role for the faster and realistic evaluation of multiple organ dysfunction. The present study was designed to investigate the changes in serum biochemical and electrolyte parameters of Arbor Acres (AA) broiler chickens during acute heat stress. AA broiler chickens (N=120) were randomly allocated to four groups: control group at 22 ± 1 °C and heat stress group at 2 h, 5h and 10h, respectively (HS2, HS5, and HS10) at 38±1°C. All groups of serum electrolyte and biochemical parameters, including serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, amylase, cholesterol, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. These results indicated that heat stress have significant (p <0.05) effect on serum biochemical and electrolyte parameters of broiler chickens, which assist preliminary evaluation of the damage degree of corresponding organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]