Evaluation of some diagnostic indices of subclinical pregnancy toxemia in Lori-Bakhtiari ewes

Abstract

Pregnancy toxemia is known as an important metabolic disorder in pregnant ewes, which often causes damage to the animal husbandry industry in the final months of pregnancy by increasing the number of casualties or reducing the productivity of ewes. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between subclinical pregnancy toxemia and litter size in Lori-Bakhtiari ewes and the relationship between BHBA (Beta-hydroxybutyric ‌acid), glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in non-pregnant and pregnant (singleton and twins) ewes. Jugular vein blood samples were obtained from 103 Lori-Bakhtiari ewes including 30 non-pregnant ewes (control group) and 73 pregnant ewes in their fifth month of pregnancy (68 singleton and 5 twins). Concentration of BHBA, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol in serum samples were measured using commercial kits and photometry. There was no significant difference regarding BHBA and cholesterol between the three studied groups. There was a significant difference in serum glucose concentration between the control group with singleton pregnant and twin pregnant groups (p<0.05). Triglyceride concentration in twin pregnant group was significantly higher than the other two groups (p<0.05). Pearson's test in twin pregnant ewes indicated a significant negative correlation between BHBA and glucose (p<0.001 and r=-0.402); While there was no significant relationship between BHBA and triglyceride, and BHBA and cholesterol in twin pregnant group. The results of the present study showed that BHBA, glucose and triglyceride are reliable indicators for subclinical pregnancy toxemia detection in the last month of pregnancy of Lori-Bakhtiari ewes; however, measurement of cholesterol is not useful in this regard.

Keywords

• beta hydroxybutyric ‌acid
• glucose
• lori-bakhtiari ewe
• pregnancy toxemia
• triglyceride