Comparison of Normal Hematological and Biochemical values in Male and Female buffaloes

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of difference in gender on some hematological and serum biochemical constituents in buffaloes. In total, 30 healthy buffaloes (1–2 years old) of both sexes were examined at various buffalo farms in Assiut, Egypt. Two blood samples were collected from the jugular vein. The first blood sample was used for biochemical analysis. The second blood sample was used for hematological analysis. The results revealed significant increases in serum levels of most of the measured biochemical parameters in male than in female buffaloes, except serum albumen and blood urea nitrogen levels, which were significantly higher (P<0.01) in female buffaloes. In addition, no significant changes were observed in serum total proteins and globulins levels, and in serum gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. There were significant increases in hematocrit % (P<0.01) and mean corpuscular volume (P<0.05) in female than in male buffaloes. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was significantly lower (P<0.01) in female than in male buffaloes. No significant changes were reported in leucocytes and platelets. It could be concluded that hematological and serum biochemical constituents are varied between male and female buffaloes, which necessities the importance of using separate groups from male and female buffaloes in research studies

Comparative Study on Reference Values for Blood Constituents during Pregnancy in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Reference values for buffaloes especially those at pregnancy are not yet established. The aim of this study was to establish serum biochemical and hematological reference values for water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during pregnancy. In total 409 pregnant buffaloes were examined at buffaloes' farms that belong to Assiut Governorate at the mid of Egypt. Out of them, 107 buffaloes did not meet the selection criteria and were excluded from the study. The remained 302 clinically healthy buffaloes were classified according to the stage of pregnancy into two groups: Group I; included buffaloes till 6 months of pregnancy (No.=146). Group II; included buffaloes after 6 months of pregnancy (No.=156). Three types of samples were collected; serum samples for biochemical analysis, whole blood samples for hematological analysis and fecal samples for parasitological examination. A total of 55 blood variables were measured during this study. The 95% reference intervals for each serum biochemical and hematological constituents were calculated by removing the upper and lower 2.5% of the interval to give the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. The present study established the reference intervals for the investigated biochemical and hematological parameters in blood of pregnant buffaloes. Results revealed that most of the measured blood constituents were differed significantly during the period before and after 6 months of pregnancy in buffaloes. In conclusion, the established reference values will be a useful guide for interpreting serum biochemical and hematologic data in pregnant buffaloes

Reference Values for Serum Biochemical and Hematological Constituents in Lactating Pregnant Buffaloes

Serum biochemical and hematological reference values are used to establish normality and to diagnose disease and physiological alterations. Up till now there are no reference values for different blood biochemical and hematological variables in lactating pregnant buffaloes, consequently the current study considered the first one that established those values in lactating pregnant water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Animals were examined at buffalo farms that belong to Assiut Governorate, Egypt. A total of 148 pregnant lactating buffaloes (5-10 years old) were examined, of these, 20 buffaloes did not meet the selection criteria and excluded from study. The remained animals (N.=128) were clinically healthy and included in the study. A total of 55 hematological and serum biochemical variables were measured in blood of lactating buffaloes. Mean reference values, reference intervals (2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) and their 90% confidence intervals, for the measured hematological and serum biochemical constituents were statistically calculated. Data for the serum biochemical and hematological variables were presented in tables and compared with previously published data. The established reference values will be a useful guide for interpreting serum biochemical and hematologic data in lactating pregnant water buffaloes

Comparison between Serum and Saliva Biochemical Constituents in Dairy Cows during Lactation and Dry Period

The present study was undertaken to compare serum and salivary biochemical constituents during lactation and dry period in dairy cows. Also, the present study evaluated for the first time the salivary biochemical constituents in dairy cows. The study was carried out using 45 healthy multiparous Holstein cows maintained in dairy farms located in Morioka city (Iwate prefecture, Japan). Cows were classified into groups based on the month of lactation. Serum, saliva and milk samples were collected and analyzed. Data were statistically analyzed and the variation in serum and salivary biochemical constituents during lactation and dry period were discussed. From the present study, it could be concluded that the 1st month of lactation has the highest levels for serum free fatty acids (FFA), β- Hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) and aceto Acetic acid (ACAC). The dry period has the highest serum glucose level and the lowest serum FFA, BHBA and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Both serum and salivary FFA showed the highest value during the 1st month of lactation. Saliva contains a high level of gamma glutamyl transferase. The level of ammonia in saliva is higher than its serum level during all months of lactation and dry period. Most of the biochemical constituents in saliva change in different way from serum during lactation and dry period. Milk protein/fat ratio of 0.7 may be not indicative for subclinical ketosis

Lactate Dehydrogenase in Toxoplasma Gondii Controls Virulence, Bradyzoite Differentiation, and Chronic Infection

In the asexual stages, Toxoplasma gondii stage converts between acute phase rapidly replicating tachyzoites and chronic phase slowly dividing bradyzoites. Correspondingly, T. gondii differentially expresses two distinct genes and isoforms of the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, expressing LDH1 exclusively in the tachyzoite stage and LDH2 preferentially in the bradyzoite stage. LDH catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate in anaerobic growth conditions and is utilized for energy supply, however, the precise role of LDH1 and LDH2 in parasite biology in the asexual stages is still unclear. Here, we investigated the biological role of LDH1 and LDH2 in the asexual stages, and the vaccine strain potential of deletion mutants lacking LDH1, LDH2, or both genes (Δldh1, Δldh2 and Δldh1/2). Deletion of LDH1 reduced acute parasite virulence, impaired bradyzoite differentiation in vitro, and markedly reduced chronic stage cyst burdens in vivo. In contrast, deletion of LDH2 impaired chronic stage cyst burdens without affecting virulence or bradyzoite differentiation. Deletion of both LDH1 and LDH2 induced a more severe defect in chronic stage cyst burdens. These LDH mutant phenotypes were not associated with any growth defect. Vaccination of mice with a low dose of mutants deleted for LDH elicited effective protective immunity to lethal challenge infection, demonstrating the vaccine potential of LDH deletion mutants. These results suggest that lactate dehydrogenase in T. gondii controls virulence, bradyzoite differentiation, and chronic infection and reveals the potential of LDH mutants as vaccine strains