Utility of acute phase proteins as biomarkers of transport stress in ewes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of transport stress on the values of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), fibrinogen (Fbg) and white blood cells (WBCs) in 20 healthy Comisana ewes. The animals were divided into two groups: A (n = 10) was transported by road for 6 h over a distance about 490 km with an average speed of 80 km/h (experimental group) and B (n = 10) was not subject to road transport (control group). Blood samples, collected via jugular venipuncture, were obtained before and after the road transport as well as after 8, 12, 24 and 48 h rest time in experimental group and at the same time point in control group. The application of two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant effect of sampling time on SAA (P = 0.001), Hp (P < 0.0001) and WBCs (P = 0.005) in Group A, and it showed statistically significant differences between the Groups A and B on SAA (P = 0.0004) and Hp (P < 0.0001). Time × Groups interaction effects were not significant for any of the blood parameters studied (P > 0.05). On the basis of these modifications, Hp and SAA levels, together with WBCs, could be considered as effective biomarkers useful to evaluate magnitude and time response of those APPs in order to validate their use which could be useful to improve the ovine transporting conditions.