Plasma Neuromediators and the Enzymatic Profile of Sheep

Pástorová B. , Buleca J . , Pi l ipãinec, E. ·vick ̆, J . Szarek: Plasma Neuromediators and the Enzymatic Profile of Sheep. Acta Vet. Brno 2000, 69: 277-280. The study focused on the plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine and activity of selected plasma enzymes and LD isoenzyme spectrum in two sheep breeds (Slovak Merino and Improved Valachian) during the anoestrous period. Radioenzymatic method was used to determine the concentrations of plasma catecholamines. Statistically significant differences were found (P < 0.05) in concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine in favour of the Slovak Merino breed. Significantly increased enzyme activies (P < 0.01) were observed in plasma aminotransferases ALT, AST and alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) in Slovak Merino. In improved Valachian, statistically significant changes (P < 0.01) were recorded in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LD). The LD isoenzyme spectrum showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the activity of isoenzyme LD2 and highly significant differences (P < 0.01) in the activity of isoenzymes LD4 and LD5 in favour of Improved Valachian sheep. These results may help to identify more accurately the metabolic constitutional and production types of sheep in different breeds. Catecholamines, blood plasma, AST, ALT, CK, ALP, LD, isoenzymes LD1-5, sheep Our previous results and the data of other authors suggest that the qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition of blood and its components may serve as indicators of the physiological state of the organism and characterise the metabolic and constitutional types of farm animals. In relation to genetic variability and heredity of production characteristics of farm animals, some authors (Glazko 1990; Al-Sadi 1995) have paid attention also to those physiological and biochemical indices that can be used to characterize the phenotype of individual animal-breeding taxons. These parameters also indicate the health state and vitality of animals (J e l í n e k et al. 1987; Hooda and Nagvi 1990; Goldberg 1992; Nagvi et al. 1991). The concentration of catecholamines in the blood plasma reflects the activity of the adrenergic system. Plasma dopamine and norepinephrine are released from presynaptic adrenergic neurons (Saavedra et al. 1984) and plasma epinephrine acts as a stress hormone and is produced by adrenal medulla. The plasma catecholamine concentrations in sheep depend on many factors including the level of oestrogens, the oestrous cycle (Miyake et al. 1987; Pástorová and Várady 1992, 1996) and the immune state (Pástorová et al. 1997) of the organism. The present study focused on the plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations in the breeds Slovak Merino and Improved Valachian sheep in the anoestrous period as related to other biochemical indices, namely the activities of enzymes AST, ALT, CK, ALP, LD, isoenzymes LD1-LD5. In addition to the clinical application of these physiological parameters for evaluation of the health state of animals they can be used to identify more accurately the constitutional and production types of animals. ACTA VET. BRNO 2000, 69: 277–280 Address for correspondence: Doc.RNDr.Bernadetta Pástorová, PhD. Department of Physiology University of Veterinary Medicine Komenského 73, 041 81 Ko‰ice, Slovak Republic Phone: +421 95 633 8249 Fax: +421 095 63 23 666 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.vfu.cz/acta-vet/actavet.htm