Effect of shearing on some haematochemical parameters in ewes

Abstract

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