Changes in serum enzyme activities in pigs naturally infected with the metacestodes of Taenia solium

The serum enzymes of pigs naturally infected with the metacestodes of Taenia solium and of uninfected pigs were assayed. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, ornithine carbamyl transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and ceruloplasmin activities were significantly increased in the serum of the infected pigs.     

Changes in serum enzyme activities in pigs naturally infected with the metacestodes ofTaenia solium

The serum enzymes of pigs naturally infected with the metacestodes ofTaenia solium and of uninfected pigs were assayed. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, ornithine carbamyl transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and ceruloplasmin activities were significantly increase in the serum of the infected pigs.     

The vitamin E-deficiency syndrome in pigs. II. Investigations on serum and tissue enzyme activity

In four experiments performed to study the pathology of vitamin E-deficiency in pigs (Nafstad & Tollersrud 1970) serum enzyme determinations were carried out in order to obtain some information about the development of the deficiency syndrome.The enzymes determined were aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT = GOT), alanine aminotransferase (AlAT = GPT), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Blood samples were taken every second week during the experiments, which lasted for three to four months each and included a total number of 112 animals. At death or slaughter organs were removed in two experiments for determination of tissue homogenate transferase activity.A good correlation was shown to exist between the levels of serum enzyme activity and the frequency of pathological changes found at necropsy. Vitamin E-supplemented pigs showed enzyme values within normal ranges, whereas animals supplemented with selenium or amino acids and non-supplemented lots showed increased levels. To a certain extent differential diagnoses between the organs most affected could also be made on the basis of the enzyme values, though the complex nature of the deficiency syndrome in some cases rendered this more hypothetical.Gastric ulcers gave no elevation of serum enzyme activity.An inverse correlation was found between transferase activity in serum and tissue homogenates. Vitamin E-deficient pigs with high serum values yielded lower tissue enzyme activity than animals in the corresponding supplemented lots.Pigs fed the highest dietary protein levels showed the highest tissue transferase activity. This was most marked for liver homogenates.     

Diurnal and seasonal variations of serum enzyme activity in cattle and sheep

In order to test the variation of enzyme activity in serum of cattle and sheep during the day, blood samples were taken at three hrs. interval from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The following enzymes were assayed: Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT = GOT), alanine aminotransferase (AlAT = GPT), total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBD). The variation between animals contributed by far to the greatest part of the total variation in clinical healthy animals. The time-of-day-dependant variation was less than 3 %, except for alanine aminotransferase.During the first two weeks of spring pasture serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly raised in both cows and ewes, compared with serum levels of the same animals on indoor feeding. No such increase occurred in total lactate dehydrogenase.     

Effect of in vitro Hemolysis on Values for Certain Porcine Serum Constituents

Serum consistuents were determined for 14 healthy pigs after the addition of hemolysates containing 54, 133, 215 and 400 mg/dl of hemoglobin to serum. Of sixteen chemical procedures considered, changes (P<0.0005) in creatinine, total protein, Pi, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Ca, K, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and albumin values occurred following the addition of a hemolysate containing 400 mg/dl of hemoglobin. Changes (P<0.0005) were also observed in certain serum constituents when hemolysates containing 54, 133 and 215 mg/dl of hemoglobin were added.     

Pig-major acute phase protein and haptoglobin serum concentrations correlate with PCV2 viremia and the clinical course of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome

The aim of the present longitudinal study was to assess the evolution of two acute phase proteins (APPs), pig-major acute phase protein (pig-MAP) and haptoglobin (HPT), in serum from pigs that developed postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in comparison to healthy and wasted non-PMWS affected pigs. In addition, evidence of infection with other pathogens and its relation with variations in APPs concentrations was also assessed. Fourteen independent batches of 100–154 pigs were monitored from birth to PMWS outbreak occurrence in 11 PMWS affected farms. Pigs displaying PMWS-like signs and age-matched healthy controls were euthanized during the clinical outbreak. PMWS was diagnosed according to internationally accepted criteria and pigs were classified as: (i) PMWS cases, (ii) wasted non-PMWS cases and (iii) healthy pigs. At the moment of PMWS occurrence, pig-MAP and HPT concentration in PMWS affected pigs were higher than in healthy ones (p < 0.0001). No differences in APPs serum concentrations between subclinically PCV2-infected pigs and healthy non-PCV2-infected pigs (based on quantitative PCR on serum results) were detected. Results showed a significant correlation between PCV2 loads and both pig-MAP (R = 0.487–0.602, p < 0.0001) and HPT (R = 0.326–0.550, p < 0.05–0.0001) concentrations in serum of PMWS affected pigs, indicating that the acute phase response in PMWS affected pigs occurred concomitantly to PCV2 viremia. No other pathogen, apart from PCV2, was consistently related with variations in APPs concentrations. A ROC analysis, made to determine the capacity of discrimination of both APPs between PMWS affected and non-affected pigs, showed higher sensitivity and specificity values using pig-MAP compared to HPT. These results suggest that pig-MAP might be a better indicator of PMWS status than HPT. Moreover, the fact that APR occurred some weeks before the start of clinical signs suggests that APPs could provide valuable prognostic information for PMWS development.     

Experimental Salmonellosis in Guinea-pigs: Haematological and Biochemical Studies

Some haematological and biochemical parameters were studied in guinea-pigs infected intraperitoneally with Salmonella dublin 493 at 1×10⁶ viable cells per animal. The infected animals showed a rise in temperature within 24 h, followed by depression and loss of body weight. On the 15th day post infection, haematological studies revealed a significant increase in the total leukocyte count due to both lymphocytosis and neutrophilia, and a decrease in the total erythrocyte count and haemoglobin concentration. There was also a significantly higher mean corpuscular volume and lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, indicating a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The infection caused a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase activity and creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and globulin concentrations, and a decrease in albumin and triiodothyronine. There was no significant effect on serum total protein or on thyroxine, or in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the serum.     

Relationship between serum acute phase protein concentrations and lesions in finishing pigs

To establish the relationship between serum levels of three acute phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA), and the occurrence and severity of lesions at slaughter, a study was carried out using 70 fattening pigs from a finishing unit. Pigs were divided into three groups: Group 1 (25 pigs with clinical signs of disease), Group 2 (25 apparently healthy pigs with lesions at slaughter) and Group 3 (20 apparently healthy pigs with no lesions at slaughter). Serum levels of CRP, SAA and Hp were significantly higher in pigs with clinical signs of disease than in apparently healthy animals. Additionally, in apparently healthy pigs, serum levels of Hp and CRP were significantly higher in animals with lesions than those without lesions. The extent and severity of lung lesions were related to serum levels of Hp.     

双低菜粕及添加复合酶制剂对生长猪生长性能及血清指标的影响

选取健康"杜×长×大"三元杂交生长猪36头,按饲养试验要求分为3组,每组3个重复,每重复4头猪(公、母各半)。对照组饲喂玉米-豆粕型日粮;试验1组(双低菜粕组)在对照组饲粮基础上,用8%的双低菜粕代以配方中7%的豆粕;试验2组(双低菜粕+酶组)在试验1组基础上添加0.03%专用复合酶制剂。预试期7 d,正试期32 d。结果表明,不同处理日粮对生长猪的生长和饲料利用无显著影响(P>0.05);添加酶制剂使生长猪血清FT3水平提高了17.01%(P<0.05);双低菜粕组生长猪血清IgA含量提高了14.08%(P<0.01),加酶后生长猪血清IgGI、gM、补体C3和C4含量分别提高了12.59%(P<0.01)、20.59%(P<0.01)、36.18%(P<0.01)和24%(P<0.01);不同处理日粮对生长猪血清抗氧化指标及Ca、P、BUN(尿素氮)含量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Relationship of serum concentrations of several enzymes to the porcine stress syndrome

Serum enzyme concentrations were determined in 319 Hampshire pigs (approx 2 months of age). Significant positive correlations were found when creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were compared with lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase values, but not when compared with aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase values. In an additional study, a litter from a sow with high serum CK concentrations was observed at 2, 3, 4, and 5 months of age for serum CK concentrations. The CK concentration increased as the pigs aged, and soft exudative pork was found upon slaughter of the pigs at 5 months of age. It is believed that CK, lactate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase determinations in weanling pigs would have value for reducing the frequency of the porcine stress syndrome and soft exudative pork in breeding stock. If only a portion of the genetic carriers was removed, the effect would be considerable within a few generations.     

Hematology and clinical pathology of experimental Fascioloides magna infection in cattle and guinea pigs.

The hematologic and clinico-pathologic response to Fascioloides magna infection in cattle and guinea pigs was investigated. Twelve calves (six infected and six controls) were monitored for 26 weeks after inoculation with 1000 metacercariae. All calves remained healthy and there were no significant differences in weight gains between infected and control groups. Flukes (mean = 9.2, range 1–32) were recovered from the liver and abdominal cavity of all infected calves. The only significant response observed in the complete blood counts was an eosinophilia present in the infected calves extending from Weeks 2 to 26 post-infection. There were no significant differences in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and only minor increases in the levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase.

A total of 48 infected and 48 control guinea pigs from three separate experiments were monitored for 16 weeks after inoculation with 20 metacercariae of Fascioloides magna. Infected guinea pigs died between 7 and 114 days after infection, and flukes (ean = 2.5, range 0–13) were recovered from the liver, abdominal cavity, lungs, thoracic cavity, skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue. There were no differences in weight gains between infected and control guinea pigs. Complete blood counts showed increases in white blood cell, monocyte and neutrophil counts from between the third and fourteenth weeks post-infection; however, the differences were not consistently significant. Infected guinea pigs developed a significant eosinophilia and basophilia from 2 to 16 weeks post-infection. There were no significant changes in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase or gamma-glutamyl transferase. There was an increase in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase beginning at 5 weeks post-infection. The response observed in the guinea pigs was similar to that reported in sheep, suggesting the suitability of the guinea pig as a model for Fascioloides magna infection in the sheep.     

Milk fever in the cow--course of disease in relation to the serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase and gamma-glutamyltransferase

The serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), creatine kinase (CK), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was determined at the time of first and subsequent treatments in milk fever cows which responded differently to treatment, and in a number of healthy, periparturient cows. Serum ASAT, ALAT and CK levels were lower in the healthy cows than in the milk fever cows at first treatment. Serum ASAT and serum CK were, at first treatment, higher in the milk fever cows which did not recover than in those which recovered. At second and subsequent treatments, serum ASAT and serum ALAT were higher in the cows which failed to recover, and these cows also showed the highest levels of serum CK up-to and including fourth treatment. After an overall assessment of serum activity of the various enzymes, it is concluded that muscle damage was a significant complication both in cows which recovered and in those which failed to recover, while liver damage was of little importance.     

Hematology and clinical chemistry values of normal and euthymic hairless adult male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Hematology and serum chemistry measurements were performed on blood specimens from 12 male Dunkin-Hartley hairless guinea pigs Crl:IAF(HA)BR and 10 haired Dunkin-Hartley male guinea pigs Crl:(HA)BR. Significantly higher activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, and creatine kinase were observed in the hairless guinea pigs as compared to the haired strain. Alkaline phosphatase activity was found to be lower in the hairless guinea pig. The hairless guinea pigs were found to have serum urea concentrations approximately 46% higher than the normal guinea pig strain. The erythrocytic mean cell volume of the hairless strain was found to be smaller, with a greater hemoglobin content. Hairless guinea pigs were found to have approximately 40% fewer leukocytes with a reversed lymphocyte:neutrophil ratio compared to the haired guinea pigs which had much higher lymphocyte counts.     

Biochemical, hematologic, immunologic and cytogenetic study of papillary dermatitis in fattened pigs

Examinations were performed of 31 fattened pigs suffering from papular dermatitis (PD) and 33 fattened pigs without dermal changes (C) coming from the D. large pig-fattening farm and the production breeding herd of pigs. The weight of the pigs was from 95 to 105 kg. Both farms are sited in a mining area (intensive lignite extraction). The PD pigs, compared with the controls (C), had less total protein, cholesterol and calcium in their blood serum and increased concentrations of thyroxine (T4), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), vitamins A and E, inorganic phosphorus and potassium, and the higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. The PD pigs also had an increased leucocyte count in blood. In their peripheral lymphocytes the PD pigs had a significantly higher number of aberrant cells, 3.9 times higher number of chromosome breaks, slightly increased rate of sister chromatid exchanges, but half the number of chromosome exchanges of the C pigs. No differences between PD pigs and the controls were recorded in the response of the T-lymphocytes of peripheral blood to non-specific phytohaemagglutinin stimulation; neither were there any substantial differences in the concentration of serum immunoglobulins of the IgG, IgM and IgA classes. The PD and C pigs of both herds (the D. and M. farms) had low concentrations of all three serum immunoglobulins. The higher occurrence of PD in the D. herd, compared with the M. farm, is associated with a greater reduction of serum immunoglobulins (IgM by 38%, IgA by 25%, IgG by 15%).     

Effect of ethionine on hematologic and serum biochemical values in fasted calves

DL-Ethionine (0.87 g/kg of body weight) was administered IV to 6 fasted (12 hour) Holstein bull calves (4.5 months old). Fasting, which was continued for an additional 48 hours, caused a body weight loss (10.82% to 11.96%), a mild increase in PCV, and an increase in the serum free fatty acids (1.204 mmole/L, fasted; 0.949 mmole/L, fasted ethionine-treated calves). Ethionine caused a decrease in the total plasma proteins from 6.5 g/dl to 5.5 g/dl and total serum lipids from 493.9 mg/dl to 307.8 mg/dl. The decrease in the serum esterified fats included all the lipid fractions (triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids). The calves' WBC and serum enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and L-alanine aminotransferase remained within normal range.     

Alterations of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in swine infected with the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis miescheriana.

The effects of a Sarcocystis miescheriana infection on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) were investigated to determine possible mechanisms of growth retardation in growing pigs. Sixteen pigs averaging 14 kg body weight were divided into 4 groups of 4 pigs each and infected either with 0.5, 1.0, or 3.0 × 10⁶ sporocysts of S. miescheriana. Four pigs were retained as non-infected controls; however, they became serologically positive during the course of the infection. Effects also were investigated in 2 groups of 3 pregnant sows. One group was infected with 0.5 × 10⁶ sporocysts and the other group was retained as uninfected controls. Body weights of infected growing pigs were depressed as compared to controls following the acute phase 15 d after infection (dai). Serum concentrations of IGF-I dropped significantly (p < 0.05) during the acute phase of infection in all infected groups of growing pigs. Conversely, the amounts of unsaturated serum IGFBPs were elevated significantly (p < 0.05) during the acute phase of infection. Specifically, serum concentrations of IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-4 were elevated at this time, as determined by ligand blot analysis. There was no association between growth factor alterations and tissue damage as measured by serum creatinine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. The extent of effects in growing pigs was related to the amount of the original parasite inoculum.

During the acute phase of infection 2 of 3 pregnant sows aborted. The third sow went to term, but piglets were stillborn or died within 24 hr. Compared to uninfected controls, serum concentrations of IGF-I in infected pregnant sows were depressed during and after the acute phase of the infection. Levels of unsaturated serum IGFBPs in pregnant sows were not affected.

These data suggest that decreased IGF-I levels and/or elevated levels of specific forms of IGFBPs may be a mechanism by which growth is affected in feeder pigs infected with S. miescheriana.     

Evaluation of serum enzyme activities as predictors of passive transfer status in lambs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between serum IgG concentration and serum activities of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and pseudocholinesterase for the potential use of these serum enzymes as predictors of passive transfer status in neonatal lambs. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 47 Sardinian lambs from birth to 2 days old. PROCEDURE: Serum enzyme activities were measured by use of commercially available kits and a clinical biochemical analyzer. Serum IgG concentration was determined by single radial immunodiffusion. Associations between serum IgG concentration and the activity of each serum enzyme were established by use of regression analysis. RESULTS: A significant correlation was detected between serum IgG concentration and serum GGT activity in 1- and 2-day-old lambs. Minimal correlations were detected between serum IgG concentration and serum alkaline phosphatase activity in 1-day-old lambs and serum pseudocholinesterase activity in 1- and 2-day-old lambs. No significant associations were detected between serum IgG concentration and serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. A multiple linear regression model was accurate for the estimation of the natural logarithm of serum IgG concentration as a function of the natural logarithm of serum GGT activity and of the age of lambs at the time of sampling (adjusted R2 = 0.89). This model was then used to calculate the serum GGT activity equivalent to various serum IgG concentrations for 1- and 2-day-old lambs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that passive transfer status in neonatal lambs can be successfully predicted by measurement of serum GGT activity but not by measurement of the other enzymes tested.     

Use of intraosseous blood for repeated hematologic and biochemical analyses in healthy pigs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histologic effects of repeated intraosseous (IO) needle placement in domestic pigs and determine whether blood and serum obtained intraosseously could be used for CBC and biochemical analyses. ANIMALS: 5 healthy 10-week-old pigs. PROCEDURE: An IO needle was placed in the proximomedial region of the tibia of anesthetized pigs every other week for 2 months, and IO blood was obtained for CBC and serum biochemical analyses. Results were compared with those obtained for blood collected at the same time from the auricular vein. Two weeks after the final samples were obtained, pigs were euthanatized and tibias were processed for histologic examination. RESULTS: Clinical abnormalities, including lameness, were not detected following IO needle placement. Histologic examination revealed only mild multifocal periosteal fibrosis and slight thickening of the periosteum without evidence of osteomyelitis. Chloride, creatinine, glucose, total protein, sodium, and BUN concentrations, alanine transaminase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities, RBC count, mean corpuscular volume, and Hct did not significantly differ between IO and venous samples. However, aspartate transaminase activity, potassium, hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and platelet and WBC counts were significantly different. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Repeated placement of 10 needles may be a safe and clinically useful method to obtain serial blood samples from domestic pigs, particularly when other vascular sites are not accessible. Intraosseous blood can be used for many of the tests comprising CBC and serum biochemical analyses.     

Anthelmintic treatment of prepatent stephanuriasis with flubendazole, levamisole and disophenol and the effects on liver-specific serum enzymes

Haematological parameters and liver specific serum enzymes were examined in pigs during the first 12 weeks of liver migration of larvae following experimental infection with 1000 infective Stephanurus dentatus larvae. No significant changes in total red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, or haemoglobin content were observed. Total white blood cell counts and circulating eosinophils rose rapidly from days 5 and 19 after infection, respectively. Treatment with a mixture of levamisole (LEV) at 10 mg/kg and flubendazole (FLU) at 50 mg/kg in feed four weeks after infection halted the leucocyte response and returned values to normal in two weeks. Disophenol (DIP) at 15 mg/kg subcutaneously restricted the leucocyte response but it was only terminated following FLU treatment alone on day 61. No effects of S dentatus or either anthelmintic treatments on liver specific serum enzymes glutamate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were found. Animals killed seven, 26 and 54 days after treatment showed significant resolution of fibrotic liver lesions after LEV + FLU but not after DIP. We conclude that LEV + FLU is an effective treatment for prepatent stephanuriasis but that liver damage is insufficiently traumatic to release sufficient enzymes into serum to be pathognomonic or to assess anthelmintic efficacy.