Hazardous Effects of Lead Intoxication on Health Status, Rumen Functions, Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Egyptian Ossimi Sheep

Toxic heavy metals particularly Lead (Pb) have a hazardous impact on animal health and productivity because of their ill-degradability and bio-accumulation for long periods. This study carried out on 53 Ossimi sheep belonging to Giza Governorate, including 13 sheep considered as control (kept in a private farm) and 40 sheep grazed on an area polluted with lead. Drinking water, animal blood and rumen fluid samples were collected from all sheep. Complete blood, rumen and serum constituents were analyzed. Iron, copper, zinc, oxidant and antioxidant markers were evaluated and Pb levels in Drinking water, rumen fluid and serum were investigated to show the impact of Pb on those parameters. Physical examination revealed significant disturbance in health status of Pb-exposed sheep. Rumen fluid examination showed significant increase in rumen pH, significant decrease in rumen ammonia-nitrogen, TVFAs, AST, ALT, GGT, Ca and Ph. Blood constituent revealed significant alteration as significant decrease in RBCs count, Hb%, pcv %, MCHC and TLC as well as impaired hepatic and renal function and significant decrease of antioxidant markers. These alterations associated with strong positive correlation between these altered parameters and lead level in drinking water, rumen fluid and blood samples which markedly increased more than permissible limits; these results should be put in consideration in interpretation of affected animals’ status and during treatment and control of lead exposed sheep cases as well as consumption of such animals’ meat and offal is not recommended.