Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(3):106-111 | DOI: 10.17221/2713-CJAS

Effect of shearing on some haematochemical parameters in ewes

G. Piccione1, S. Casella1, F. Fazio1, P. Pennisi2
1 Depatment of Experimental Science and applied Biotechnology, messina University, Messina, Italy
2 Department of Agronomic, Agrochemical Science and Animal Productions, Catania University, Catania, Italy

The aim of the present paper was to study the effect of shearing on some haematochemical parameters in ewes. Forty Valle del Belice ewes, clinically healthy and well-fed, were divided into two groups of twenty subjects each. Twenty ewes were let unshorn as a control group (Group A) and twenty ewes were shorn (Group B). After the blood collection by means of jugular venipuncture, some haematochemical parameters were assessed for each subject in the following experimental conditions: before shearing, 1st, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60 and 75th day after shearing. We studied the course of the following haematochemical parameters: glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total protein, urea and creatinine. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's test, was used to determine significant differences between the two groups in the studied parameters. The statistical analysis showed statistical differences (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant) in β-hydroxybutyrate, NEFA, total protein and urea. Data analysis of variance showed a significant effect of time, with P < 0.0001, on all studied parameters. These results suggest that shearing induces adaptive metabolic responses in the ewes and exposure to elevated ambient temperature induces modifications of some haematochemical parameters.

Keywords: Valle del Belice; heat stress; thermal homeostasis; thermoregulation

Published: March 31, 2008  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Piccione G, Casella S, Fazio F, Pennisi P. Effect of shearing on some haematochemical parameters in ewes. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2008;53(3):106-111. doi: 10.17221/2713-CJAS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Demignè C., Yacoub C., Morand C. (1988): Findings on intermediate metabolism in ruminants. Reprod. Nutr. Dev., 28, 1-17. Go to original source...
    2. Finch V.A. (1984): Body temperature in beef cattle: its control and relevance to production in the tropics. J. Anim. Sci., 62, 531-542. Go to original source...
    3. Hafez E.S.E., Badreldin A.L., Sharafeldin M.A. (1956): Heat tolerance studies of fat-tailed sheep in the subtropics. J. Agr. Sci., 47, 280-286. Go to original source...
    4. Johnson H.D. (1987): Bioclimatology and the adaptation of livestock. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Oxford, New York, Tokyo.
    5. Manunta G. (1973): La termoregolazione in Fisiologia degli animali domestici. Libreria Universitaria Tinarelli. Bologna, Italy.
    6. McFarlane W.V. (1968): Adaptation of ruminants to tropics and desert in adaptation in domestic animals. Philadelphia, USA, 164-182.
    7. Moule G.R. (1954): Observations mortality amongst lambs. Queensland. Aust. Vet. J., 30, 153-171. Go to original source...
    8. Pennisi P., Costa A., Biondi L., Avondo M., Piccione G. (2004): Influence of the fleece on the thermal homeostasis and body condition in Comisana ewe lambs. Anim. Res., 53, 13-19. Go to original source...
    9. Piccione G., Fazio E., Giofrè F., Caola G. (1994): Andamento di alcuni metabolici energetici nel corso della tosatura nella pecora. In: Atti XIII Congresso nazionale S.I.P.A.O.C., Italy, 21-24.
    10. Piccione G., Caola G., Refinetti R. (2002): Effect of shearing on the core body temperature of three breeds of Mediterranean sheep. Small Rumin. Res., 46, 211-215. Go to original source...
    11. Piccione G., Biondi L., Borruso M., Costa A., Pennisi P. (2003): Influenza del microclima su alcuni parametri fisiologici nella pecora tosata. Arch. Vet. Ital., 54, 248-258.
    12. Piccione G., Grasso F., Fazio F., Giudice E., Pennini P. (2006): Evaluation of some physiological and haematological parameters in the ewes: influence of shearing and sheltering. Folia Vet., 50, 13-16.
    13. Ruckebusch Y. (1986): Fisiologia, Farmacologia e Terapia Veterinaria. ed. Essegivi, Piacenza, Italy.
    14. Silanikove N. (2000): Effects of heat stress on the welfare of extensively managed domestic ruminants. Livest. Prod. Sci., 67, 1-18. Go to original source...
    15. Sleiman F.T., Abi Saab S. (1995): Influence of environment on respiration, heart rate and body temperature of filial crosses compared to local Awassi sheep. Small Rumin. Res., 16, 49-53. Go to original source...
    16. Symonds M.E., Bryant M.J., Lomax M.A. (1986): The effect of shearing on the energy metabolism of the pregnant ewe. Brit. J. Nutr., 56, 635-643. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Symonds M.E., Bryant M.J., Shepherd A.L., Lomax M.A. (1988): Glucose metabolism in shorn and unshorn pregnant sheep. Brit. J. Nutr., 60, 249-263. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Symonds M.E., Bryant M.J., Lomax M.A. (1989): Lipid metabolism in shorn and unshorn pregnant sheep. Brit. J. Nutr., 62, 35-49. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Weast R.C. (1969): Handbook of chemistry and physics, 50th ed. Chemical Rubber. Cleveland. Comp.
    20. Whittow G.C. (1971): Ungulates. in: Whittow G.C. (ed.): comparative physiology of thermoregulation. Academic Press, New York, USA, 2, 191-281. Go to original source...
    21. Zumbo A., Di Rosa A.R., Casella S., Piccione G. (2007): Changes in some blood haematochemical parameters of Maltese goats during lactation. J. Anim. Vet. Adv., 6, 706-711.

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content