Abstract :
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.
