Clinical chemical values and variations in Rasa Aragonesa ewes and lambs

Small Ruminant Research ELSEVIER

Small Ruminant Research 13 (1994) 133-139

Clinical chemical values and variations in Rasa Aragonesa ewes and lambs J.J. Ramos*, M.T. Verde, M.C. Marca, A. Fermindez Departamento Patologfa Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria de Zaragoza, Spain (Accepted 25 June 1993)

Abstract

Reference values of biochemical parameters in serum of Rasa Aragonesa ewes and their physiological variations were determined. Total proteins were 53.0-80.0 g / 1, glucose 2.17-5.13 mmol / 1, cholesterol 0.83-2.31 mmol / 1, total bilirubin 1.856.49/xmol/l, urea 3.15-10.39 mmol/1, GGT 36-93 U/1 (37°C), ALAT 11-33 U/I (37°C) and ASAT 71-209 U/1 (37°C). Ewes were divided into three groups: A, 1- and 2-year-old ewes; B, ewes 3 and 4 years old; C, older ewes. Age had significant influence (P < 0.05) on ASAT only during pregnancy, with higher levels for younger ewes. Blood parameters in lambs were determined at 5-10 d of life (nursing), 25 to 30 d of life receiving their mother's milk and 80-90 g of feed; and 45 to 50 d of life, weaned, receiving only solid feed. Serum urea and ALAT tended to increase with age, whereas total protein, globulins, cholesterol and GGT decreased with age. These values are of practical importance in the diagnosis of diseases and metabolic disorders in Rasa Aragonesa ewes and lambs under field conditions. Key words: Ewe; Lamb; Reference value; Blood parameter

1. Introduction

Rasa Aragonesa sheep number as the second largest breed in Spain. They are characterised by white medium-short wool, weight of 40 to 50 kg and very rustic due to its development in areas classified as continental semi-arid Mediterranean. Rainfall is low ( 300500 mm), and July to August temperatures can be as high as 40°C, in winter there is freezing from December to the end of February. Grazing on Mediterranean type xerophytic pasture is with low evergreen oak ( Quercus ilex L.), plains and plateaus with thyme ( Thymus vul*Corresponding author (present address): Departamento de Patologfa General y Mrdica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Miguel Servet, 177, 50013-Zaragoza, Spain. 0921-4488/94/$07.00 © 1994 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSD10921-4488 (93) E0074-3

garis ) , rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) , esparto grass (Lygeum spartum) and furze (Ulex europaeus L.). Grazing also includes on dry land cereal stubble fields, wheat and barley in summer, and in autumn and winter irrigated stubble fields of alfalfa and maize. The most important mating period is in autumn, parturition occurring at the end of winter, producing high quality lambs that are weaned at about 35-40 d and sacrificed between 70-100 d at 20-25 kg live weight (Sierra, 1987). Analyses of the concentrations of clinical chemical parameters in plasma or serum are important for the diagnosis of several diseases, metabolic disorders and nutritional deficiencies in ovine livestock (Popof, 1979). To use blood tests in clinical medicine, serum chemical values with their deviations for average ewes

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and lambs under similar conditions need to be obtained (Payne and Payne, 1987). Standardised conditions are needed but variations can be due to breed, reproductive status (Valle et al., 1983; Meyer, 1986), age (Jelinek et al., 1984; Keay and Doxey, 1984), sexual cycle (Alonso et al., 1987), time of day, muscular exercise and other factors. Reported values vary and are difficult to compare. Blood reference values have been reported for cows (Jones et al., 1982; Roussel et al., 1982; Ghergariu et al., 1984) and goats (Ridoux et al., 1981; Bennis et al., 1991; Mcdougall et al., 1991; Mbassa and Poulsen, 1991 b, 1993); however, there are few studies on sheep (Rico et al., 1976; Hallford and Galyean, 1982), and only one on serum proteins in Rasa Aragonesa sheep (Heras et al., 1972), found in the report by Grasa (1989). The objective of this report was to provide biochemical reference values for parameters that are commonly used for diagnosis and studies, mainly serum total proteins, glucose, cholesterol, total bilirubin, GGT, ASAT and ALAT in Rasa Aragonesa ewes and lambs, and to study their variations in healthy animals and under a representative farming system.

2. Materials and methods

Three study groups were analysed: (1) 144 adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes were chosen at random from twelve different flocks (300-700 animals/herd): 48 of them before mating, 48 in advanced pregnancy (over 3 months) and 48 during lactation (less than a month from lambing). All flocks were on pasture in the same region and similar conditions: grazing time, mating period (September and October) and parturition (January and February). The ewes received a supplement of 0.3-0.5 kg/d barley grains and straw during lactaion. (2) Age effect was studied in 31 ewes from the same flock at three different stages. In September during the non-productive period, in January (prepartum days 23 to 37) and in March (postpartum days 22 + 7). Feed was similar to ( l ) with a 0.35 kg/d harley and straw supplement during lactation. Ewes were divided into

three age groups: A, 1- and 2-year-old ewes ( n = 6 ) ; B, 3 and 4 years old (n = 13) ; C, older ewes (n = 12). (3) Twelve lambs at three different stages of development: 5 to 10 d of life (nursing), 25 to 30 d of life taking their mother's milk and 80 to 90 g of feed; and 45 to 50 d of life, weaned, receiving only solid feed. Lambs were fed concentrate ad libitum, composition being: 19% CP, 7.5% CF, 2.5% EE, starch 23.5%, ash 8%, Ca 0.9%, P 0.4%, Na 0.2%. Supplements: Cu 5 mg/kg, vitamin A 6000 UI/kg, vitamin D 1200 U1/kg and vitamin E 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected September to March between 08:00 and 10:00 h from the jugular vein and transported under refrigerated conditions. Serum was separated within 3-4 h of sampling and analysed immediately or within 8 h. Serum glucose, urea, y-glutamyltransferase (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT, EC 2.6.1.2) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT, EC 2.6.1.1) levels were determined with the Reflotron® dry chemistry system of Boehringer-Mannheim. Total serum proteins were measured by a direct Biuret method, albumin by the bromocresol green method (Qufmica Clinica Aplicada, SA), serum globulin was derived as the difference between total proteins and albumin values. Serum cholesterol, total bilirubin and creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically (Perkin Elmer, Lambda 5) using the following tests: Boehringer-Mannheim enzymatic colorimetry (Chop-Pad, 236691), Jendrassik (Test Combination, 123927) and Jaff6 without deproteinization (Test Combination, 124192) methods, respectively. Accuracy of all chemistry and enzyme methods was checked against commercial control sera in the 'normal' (Seriscann Normal®, Qufmica Clfnica, SA S020) and 'abnormal' (Seriscann Anormal®, Qufmica Clfnica, SA S-021 ) ranges. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using the 'Statview SE + Graphics' package on a Macintosh SE computer. When the population selection was apparently normal (Test Kolmogorov-Smirnov), the mean plus or minus twice the standard deviation of resulting values was taken as reference after applying a balanced mean. When the distribution did not adjust to normal, a reference rank was established with the 5th and 95th percentiles. ANOVA with the Fisher test (LSD, least significant difference) was used to determine the age effect.

J.J. Ramos et al. / Small Ruminant Research 13 (1994) 133-139

3. Results 3.1. Ewes To obtain the reference range of total bilirubin, GGT, ASAT and ALAT values in sheep serum (Table 1 ), it was necessary to eliminate data 1 in each parameter that exceeded the mean by three standard deviations ( 143 samples). Four samples that had urea serum concentration under 3.15 mmol/1 (measurement rank limit) were eliminated leaving 140 samples. Serum total protein distribution did not adjust to normal, the reference rank was established with the 5th and 95th percentiles (Table 1 ). Glucose levels were less for pregnant sheep in the

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last third of pregnancy. Cholesterol and total bilirubin levels were higher during pregnancy and lactation. The highest GGT and ASAT serum activity was during lactation (Table 2). Sheep's age had no or little influence on serum levels. Only ASAT serum levels were significantly higher in younger ewes (1 and 2 years old), in pregnancy when comparing with B (between 3 and 4 years old) and C (older then 4 years old) groups. 3.2. Lambs Differences were between samples for nearly all age parameters except total bilirubin, creatinine and ASAT levels (Table 3).

Table 1 Biochemical serum parameters in Rasa Aragonesa sheep: reference values Parameters

Units

n

Mean _+SD

Range ( m e a n + 2 SD)

Total protein Glucose Cholesterol Total bilirubin Urea GGT ALAT ASAT

(g/l) ( mmol/1) (mmol/l) (/xmol/l) (mmol/l) (U/I, 37°C) (U/I, 37°C) (U/I, 37°C)

144 144 144 143 140 143 143 143

67.4 _+6.8 3.65 _+0.74 1.57 _+0.37 4.17 _+ 1.16 6.77 _+ 1.81 64.5 _+ 14.1 22.0 _+5.7 140.1 _+34.6

53.8-80.9* 2.17-5.13 0.83-2.31 1.85-6.49 3.15-10.39 36-93 11-33 71-209

n, number of samples; *Interval from 5th to 95th percentile.

Table 2 Biochemical serum values in sheep depending on physiological status A Parameters

Units

Physiological status ( mean + SD) not productive

Total protein Glucose Cholesterol Total bilirubin Urea GGT ALAT ASAT

( g/1) (mmol/l) (mmol/1) (/xmol/I ) (mmol/l) ( U/1, 37°C) ( U/1, 37°C) ( U/I, 37°C)

67.8 + 8.39 3.79 + 0.79 A* 1.39 + 0.28 B 3.81 _+ 1.20A* #6.88 _+2.18 61.0 _+ 10.7A* #22.4 ___4.8 # 138.6 + 30.4

gestation 68.3 + 5.17 3.23 + 0.60 B 1.71 ___0.38 A* 4.10 ___1.09A #6.67 + 1.41 62.9 + 16.5A* 22.3 _+6.7 128.8 -+ 35.1 A*

AOn same line values with different letters were significantly different (P < 0.05 ); with different letters and *P < 0.01. n = 4 8 ; #n=47; ~n=46.

lactation 66.1 + 6.36 3.94 + 0.64 A* 1.62 + 0.36 A* #4.62 +_ 1.07B §6.74 + 1.79 #69.6 + 13.2B 20.7 + 4.7 150.7 -+ 31.9 B

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Table 3 Biochemical serum valuesin 12 lambsdependingon their age and feed~ Parameters

Total protein Albumin Globulins Glucose Cholesterol Total bilirubin Urea Crreatinine GGT ALAT ASAT

units

( g/I ) (g/1 ) (g/I ) (mmol/l) ( mmol/I) ( p,mol/l ) (mmol/l) (/xmol/1 ) (U/1, 37°C) ( U/I, 37°C) ( U/l, 37°C)

Age ( mean_+SD) 5-10 days

25-30 days

45-50 days

64. l ± 3 . 4 A* 27.9 + 2.5A 36.2 _+3.9'4* 5.53 _+0.38A* 2.81 + 0.80A* 4.06 _+2.60 4.63 _+0.86g 67.4 +_5.5 578 + 3 5 8 A 9.2 ± 2 . 9 A 50.7 + 26.0

55.1 + 2.5B* 31.0 _+1.2a 24.1 + 1.9B* 4.61 _+0.51B 2.72 _ 0.61n, 4.12 _+2.30 5.79 _+1.09B 70.6 + 6.6 113 + 21.1~* 10.9_+7.1 48.5 + 18.1

49.7 _+2.0c* 29.7 _+1.2B* 20.0 _+1.5c* 5.79 _+0.96n* 1.80_+0.36B 2.38 _+2.04 6.26 _+1.26B* 69.3 _+5.1 92.1 _+17.8B* 14.2+ 4.9B 74.4 + 46.7

~Onsame line values withdifferent letters were significantlydifferent ( P < 0.05 ) ; with differentletters and *P < 0.01.

4. Discussion 4.1. E w e s

Total protein, glucose, cholesterol and total bilirubin serum levels in Rasa Aragonesa ewes (Table 1 ) were very similar to those in the literature (Jenkins, 1982; Valle et al., 1983; Coles, 1986) although individual, flock, environment, nutrition, physiological state, etc., differences appeared in other reports. Urea serum concentration in the present study (Table 1 ) was slightly higher than published data (Popof, 1979; Jenkins et al., 1982; Valle et al., 1983). Urea levels start at 3.15 mmol/1. Four samples were eliminated that were under this level and possibly, this is the reason for higher average levels in the overall results. Great dispersion exists in the literature enzyme data (Jenkins et al., 1982; Hallford and Galyean, 1982; Kaneko, 1989) including variety of methods and conditions of sample management, reaction temperature, that in some issues are not detailed, which makes it difficult to compare our data. Glucose serum levels were much less in pregnant sheep compared to the other two groups (Table 2), which indicates that the foetus needs glucose for its development and even more during the last third of pregnancy (Payne, 1977). Blood glucose is necessary for the mammary gland to produce lactose in lactation, nevertheless its level had not decreased in this study because in this region a supplement is usually fed dur-

ing lactation and sheep regulate their demand (Frandson, 1988). Cholesterol serum levels during pregnancy and lactation reached higher values than in the non-productive state (Table 2). Hallford and Galyean (1982) also found this for sheep during the breeding period. Energy deficiency (end of pregnancy or lactation start) produces a mobilisation of the fatty acid reserve, that needs lipoprotein for transport towards the liver during pregnancy or towards the mammary gland in lactation. These lipoproteins are mainly a mixture of cholesterol and its esters, that determine the rise in this parameter at the end of pregnancy and lactation (Kappel et al., 1984). In cows, this increase has been observed due to increased lipoprotein transport to the udder to make milk fat, and a positive correlation exists between milk production and serum cholesterol (Kappel et al., 1984; Kweon et al., 1986). Total serum bilirubin levels were higher during pregnancy and lactation than in the non-productive phase (Table 2). Kaneko (1989) and Hallford and Galyean (1982), came to the same conclusion because liver metabolism increased in both periods, also liver size and enzyme activity in lactation (Milligan et al., 1986). GGT serum activity was higher during lactation (Table 2). The G G T activity is important in the mammary gland; GGT is freed when the membrane of alveolar cell breaks, goes into colostrum or milk, who's activity was higher than in serum (Sobiech and Wieczorek, 1981 ). A small part can reach blood, which will

J.J. Ramos et al. / Small Ruminant Research 13 (1994) 133-139

contribute to the increase in serum, but the liver could be mainly responsible, because it increases weight after parturition, and also simultaneously to a GGT-activity increase (Milligan et al., 1986). Serum ASAT activity was higher in lactation with respect to the other two periods (Table 2). ASAT serum activity decreased at the end of pregnancy and increased in parturition (Hallford and Galyean, 1982) or in puerperium (Koning, 1984), reaching its highest level in lactation (Meyer, 1986). ASAT increased activity in serum could be explained by greater liver weight. Age was only a factor for ASAT, where the highest activities were in the youngest ewes. The difference was significant in pregnant ewes (P < 0.05). Jenkins et al. (1982) also obtained higher values in primiparous pregnant sheep than in 3-6-year-old pregnant sheep. In goats, no differences have been observed in this respect (Ridoux et al., 1981; Ruiz et al., 1990). 4.2. Lambs Total protein, albumin and globulin serum levels (Table 3 ) were similar to those in other reports (Green et al., 1982; Coles, 1986). Total protein values by Keay and Doxey (1984) (61.4_+4.8 g/dl) and Heras et al. (1972) (87.1 _+ 1.0 g/dl) in l-3-week-old lambs were higher. These differences were related to age, nutrition, quantity and quality of the milk. Serum globulin levels were higher in the first samples related to colostrum intake. If the colostrum is ingested within the appropriate time (24-36 h after birth) the lamb intestine is capable of absorbing immunoglobulins, which results in high levels of serum -/-globulins and total proteins ( Pauli, 1983; Pellerin, 1990). Afterwards, serum globulin levels dropped but not serum albumin levels, and total serum protein was reduced. Serum glucose concentration was higher in lambs than in ewes. This is probably associated with the large energy requirements as a result of high metabolic rates in lambs. The high levels in lambs fell to adult levels by 3 to 4 months of age (Hecker, 1983). Glycolytic activity in sheep blood was lower than for other species (Hecker, 1983). Although during the time between extraction and separation of serum some glucolysis took place, this effect could not be quantified. The same happened in the ewes, for which the real serum glucose results were slightly higher than these. Lambs' serum cholesterol levels (Table 3) were

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twice that of their mothers. Serum cholesterol level is in relation to diet and hepatic synthesis. Fat assimilation in lambs is alike non-ruminants. The more fat there is (7 to 13% in milk sheep) the more is absorbed. There was a progressive decrease in serum cholesterol levels in lambs at 10, 30 and 50 d of age related to the variation in the diet. The change in cholesterol was also demonstrated in goat kids (Mbassa and Poulsen, 1991b). Serum total bilirubin data in lambs were similar, although slightly lower, than in adult animals. Total serum bilirubin starts at high levels in newly born animals and decreases during the following days ( Kaneko, 1989). There was no significant difference with respect to age, because the first sample was taken when lambs were over five days old. Nevertheless, Mbassa and Poulsen (1991b) observed that the levels decreased with age in kids at 8-12 months of age. Lamb' s serum urea levels (Table 3 ) were lower than in ewes. Rico et al. (1976) obtained 6.16 ___2.16 mg/ dl in 1.5-month-old lambs and 4.83 + 1.33 mg/dl in 3.5-month-old lambs. Jenkins et al. (1982) reported 6.33 mg/dl (5.0 to 8.3). The same as in ewes, the determining factor of serum urea concentration was the absorption of nitrogen which explains the relation to age and feed. Serum GGT activity in lambs (Table 3) was higher than in adult sheep and decreased with age. Pauli (1983) found high GGT-levels after colostrum intake which decreased rapidly in the first days of life. Serum GGT activity in 45-50-day-old lambs were still higher than in adults. As in ewes, different conditions in different trials make comparisons difficult when measuring enzyme levels in lambs. ALAT increased with age (Table 3), probably due to increasing body mass and metabolic activities. ASAT activity also increased (Table 3) but there was no significant difference with respect to age. Mbassa and Poulsen (1991a) observed that plasma ALAT and ASAT activities increased gradually with age only slightly in goat kids. In conclusion, the reference ranges for clinical chemical values in Rasa Aragonesa ewes were similar to those obtained in other sheep, except serum urea concentration that was slightly higher. Age was only a factor for ASAT, the highest activities were registered in the youngest ewes during pregnancy. Age influence was noted between lambs. Serum urea and ALAT

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J.J. Ramos et al. / Small Ruminant Research 13 (1994) 133-139

tended to increase with age, whereas total protein, globulins, cholesterol and GGT tended to decrease with age.

Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to L.M. Ferrer for supplying the animals, M.A. Lostao for their technical assistance, and to the University of Zaragoza for their financial support.

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Jones, G.M., Wildman, E.E., Troutt, H.F., Lesch, T.N., Wagner, P.E., Loman, R.L. and Lanning, N.M., 1982. Metabolic profiles in Virginia dairy herds of different milk yields. J. Dairy Sci., 65: 683-688. Kaneko, J.J., 1989. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 4th edn. Academic Press, Inc., Orlando, pp. 932. Kappel, LC., lngraham, R.H., Morgan, E.B., Zeringue, L., Wilson, D. and Babcok, D.K., 1984. Relationship between fertility and blood glucose and cholesterol concentrations in Holstein cows. Am. J. Vet. Res., 45: 2607-2612. Keay, G. and Doxey, D.L., 1984. Serum protein values from healthy ewes and lambs of various ages determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Br. Vet. J., 140: 85-88. Koning, G., 1984. Blood metabolites in healthy ewes before and after normal parturition. Disssertation, Tieriirztliche Hochschule, Hannover. 8 pp. Kweon, O.K., Ono, H., Osasa, K., Onda, M., Obushi, K., Uchisuel, H., Kurosawa, S., Yamashina, H. and Kanagawa, H., 1986. Factors affecting serum total cholesterol level of lactating Holstein cows. Jpn. J. Vet. Sci., 48: 481-486. Mbassa, G.K. and Poulsen, J.S.D., 1991a. Profiles of some enzyme activities in growing dwarf and Landrace kids. J. Vet. Med. A, 38: 571-579. Mbassa, G.K. and Poulsen, J.S.D.. 1991b. Profiles of some clinical chemical parameters in growing dwarf and Landrace kids. J. Vet. Med. A, 38: 676-690. Mbassa, G.K. and Poulsen, J.S.D., 1993. Reference ranges for clinical chemical values in Landrace goats. Small Rumin Res., 10: 133-142. Mcdougall, S., Lepherd, E.E. and Smith, S.S., 1991. Haematological and biochemical reference values for grazing Saanen goats. Aust. Vet. J., 68 ( 11 ) : 370-372. Meyer, T., 1986. Influence of different reproductive stages on blood values in grey horned German Heath sheep. Dissertation, Tierfirztliche Hochschule, Hannover. pp. 69 (Abstr.). Milligan, L.P., Grovum, W.L. and Dobson, A., 1986. The effects of sex hormones, pregnancy and lactation on digestion, metabolism, and voluntary food intake. In: Control of Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 420-435. Pauli, J.V., 1983. Colostral transfer of gamma glutamyl transferase in lambs. N.Z. Vet. J. 31: 150-151. Payne, J.M., 1977. Metabolic Diseases in Farm Animals. William Heinemann Medical Book Ltd., London. 163 pp. Payne, J.M. and Payne, S., 1987. The Metabolic Profile Test. Oxford University Press, New York. 179 pp. Pellerin, J.L., Lefevre, S. and Bodin, G., 1990. L'immunit6 humorale au cours de la gestation chez la brebis et sa transmission a l'agneau. ( Humoral immunity during pregnancy in the ewe and its transmission to the lamb). Rev. M6d. V6t., 141: 469-478. Popof, M., 1979. Int6r& des examens biochimiques urinaires et sanguins en pathologie ovine. 3th partie: 6tude synth&ique. (Biochemical test of urine and blood in diseases of sheep. Ill. Appraisal of results). Le Point V6t6rinaire, 9: 59~fi5. Rico, A.G., Braun, J.P. and Benard, P., 1976. Blood reference values in the lamb (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, CI, urea, total proteins, creatinine, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino trans-

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Resumen Ramos, J.J., Verde, M.T., Marca, M.C. en Fernfindez, A., 1994. Valores s6ricos de bioqu/mica clfnica y variaciones en ovejas y corderos de raza Rasa Aragonesa. Small Rumin. Res., 13:133-139. Se determinaron los valores de referencia y algunas modificaciones de diferentes parfimetros bioqufmicos en suero de ovejas y corderos de raza Rasa Aragonesa. En ovejas se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: protefnas totales 53.0-80.0 g/l, glucosa 2.17-5.13 mmol/l, colesterol 0.83-2.31 mmol/l, bilirrubina total 1.85-6.49/zmol/l, urea 3.15-10.39 mmol/l, GGT 36-93 U/1 (37°C), ALAT 11-33 U/I (37°C) y ASAT 71-209 U/1 (37°C). Se registraron diferencias de la ALAT con relaci6n a la edad, presentando valores m i s elevados las ovejas mils j6venes (de 1 a 2 afios, frente a l a s de 3--4 y mils afios), esta diferencia era significativa dnicamente en el perfodo de gestaci6n. En corderos, se determinaron los parimetros s6ricos en tres momentos; a los 5-10 dfas de vida (lactantes), a los 25-30 dfas, con alimentaci6n mixta (leche de sus madres y 80-90 g de pienso por cordero y dfa) y a los 45-50 dfas de vida cuando reciben tinicamente pienso. Los niveles de urea y ALAT tienden a aumentar con la edad, mientras que los de protefnas totales, globulinas, colesterol y GGT disminuyen. Los resultados obtenidos son de inter6s prfictico para el diagn6stico de diferentes enfermedades o alteraciones metab61icas en ovejas de raza Rasa Aragonesa en condiciones de pastoreo y para corderos en las condiciones habituales de producci6n en esta regi6n, variando la mayoria de los parimetros en relaci6n con la edad y alimentaci6n.

Resume Ramos, J.J., Verde, M.T., Marca, M.C. et Fernindez, A., 1994. Valeurs usuelles et variations des constituants biochimiques sEriques en brebis et agneaux de race Rasa Aragonesa. Small Rumin. Res., 13:133-139. Des bilans biochimiques s6riques ont 6t6 effectu6s chez des brebis et des agneaux de race Rasa Aragonesa. Chez les brebis, les valeurs obtenues ont 6t6: protEines totales 53.0-80.0 g/l, glucose 2.17-5.13 mmol/1, cholest6rol 0.83-2.31 mmol/1, bilirubina totale 1.85-6.49/xmol/ 1, ur6e 3.15-10.39 mmol/l, GGT 36-93 U/I (37°C), ALAT 11-33 U/I (37°C) et ASAT 71-209 U/1 (37°C). On a en registr6 des variations de I'ALAT en relation avec l'age, les brebis plus jeunes ( 1 et 2 ans, en comparation avec celles de 3 et 4 ans et celles de plus de 4 ans) avaient des valeurs plus hautes en gestation. Chez les agneaux, les pr61~vements ont 6t6 fait dans les 5-10 jours de vie (ils sont allaitants), 25-30 jours (ils ont du lait et 80-90 g des aliments compos6s par t6te et par jour) et 45-50 jours d'~ge (ils sont aliment6s seulement par des aliments compos6s). Les valeurs de l'ur6e et de I'ALAT augmentent avec l'fige, alors que les protdines totales, globulines, cholest6rol et GGT diminuent. Les valeurs sEriques obtenues sont d'int6r~t pratique comme des auxiliaires pour le facilitant diagnostice des differentes maladies ou troubles m6taboliques, pour des brebis Rasa Aragonesa en p~turage et pour les agneaux dans les conditions d'61evage de ces animanx dans cette region. La plupart de ces valeurs varient en fonction de l',~ge et l'alimentation.