Effect of sex and seasons of the year on hematologic and serum biochemical variables of captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

The Brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) is the most common free-living and captive deer in South America, especially in Brazil, and has great ecological and scientific significance. However, data on hematological and biochemical parameters in brown brocket deer are scarce. The goal of this study was to establish reference ranges for hematological and biochemical parameters of Mazama gouazoubira, comparing differences during the seasons of the year and between sex. Blood samples from ten adult healthy brown brocket deer (6 female and 4 male) were collected during daytime, monthly, during 12 months. The animals were maintained in individual stable, protected from noise and fed ad libitum with commercial ration and green fodder. For blood collection, animals were submitted to physical restrain for no longer than 2 minutes. The following parameters were determined: red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, enzyme activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein (TP), albumin, cholesterol, total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, triglycerides, creatinine and urea. Values were compared according to season and sex. RBC count, WBC count and MCV suggested seasonal influence. Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCV were influenced by sex. Serum concentration of total calcium, ionic calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium were influenced by season. Serum magnesium was also influenced by sex. The blood parameters herein reported may be useful as reference values for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in captive brown-brocket deer.O veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) é o cervídeo de vida livre mais comum na América do Sul, especialmente no Brasil, e tem grande importância ecológica e científica. No entanto, dados sobre parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos nesta espécie animal são escassos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer valores de referência hematológica e bioquímica do Mazama gouazoubira, comparando diferenças entre as estações do ano e entre sexo. Amostras sanguíneas de dez veados-catingueiros (6 fêmeas e 4 machos), todos adultos hígidos, foram mensalmente colhidas pela manhã, durante 12 meses, e prontamente analisadas. Os animais foram mantidos em baias individual, protegidos de barulho e alimentados ad libitum com ração comercial e forragem verde. Para obtenção das amostras, os animais foram submetidos à contenção física por, no máximo, 2 minutos. Os seguintes parâmetros foram determinados: Contagem total de hemáceas, concentração de hemoglobina, volume globular (VG), volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), contagem total de leucócitos, contagem de plaquetas, atividade das enzimas alanina aminotransferase (ALT), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gama glutamiltransferase (GGT) e concentrações séricas de fosfatase alcalina (FA), creatino quinase (CK), proteína total (PT), albumina, colesterol, cálcio total, cálcio iônico, sódio, potássio, magnésio, triglicérides, creatinina e uréia. Os valores foram comparados de acordo com o sexo e sazonalidade. A contagem total de hemáceas, de leucócitos e VCM sugeriu influência das estações do ano sobre estes parâmetros. A concentração de hemoglobina, VG e VCM foram influenciados pelo sexo. Concentrações séricas de cálcio total, cálcio iônico, sódio, potássio e magnésio também foram influenciados pelas estações do ano. O teor sérico de magnésio sofreu influência, ainda, do sexo. Os parâmetros sanguíneos obtidos e aqui reportados podem ser úteis como valores de referência nesta espécie para fins diagnóstico e prognóstico

Experimental infection of commercial layers using a Salmonella enterica sorovar Gallinarum strain: Blood serum components and histopathological changes

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the blood serum components and histopathological findings of commercial layers experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (SG), the microorganism responsible for the fowl typhoid. 180 commercial layers were distributed into three groups (G): G1 and G2 received 0.2mL of inoculum containing 3.3x10 8 and 3.3x10 5 CFU of resistant SG to the nalidix acid (Nal r)/mL, respectively, directly into their crops; G3 did not receive the inoculum (control group). The birds were inoculated when they were 5 days old and the euthanasia was performed 24 hours before and after infection and 3, 5, 7 and 10 days after the administration of the inoculum. In each day of collection, blood samples were obtained for biochemical tests of the blood serum besides macroscopic and histopathological examination of the birds. Data were submitted to analysis of variance by the SAS statistical program and the means were compared by Tukeýs test (P<0,05). In the serum biochemical profile it was observed that the infection interfered in the values of total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, triglycerides, GGT and ALT in the infected groups. The macroscopic examination showed hepatomegaly, alteration of the hepatic color and hemorrhagic spots in the kidneys of animals from G1. The histopathology showed degeneration of hepatocytes in G1 and G2 although other lesions like multifocal hepatic necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate on the liver and kidneys were restricted to G1. The alterations were more evident on G1 which received a higher concentration of bacteria/mL when compared to G2. The results showed that the correlation between biochemical alterations and macroscopic and histopathological lesions can assist the comprehension of the pathophysiology of fowl typhoid, supplying important information for the diagnosis and prognosis of this disease