Evaluation of Various Biochemical Parameters in the Serum and Tissues of Lambs with White Muscle Disease

In this study, the effects of White Muscle Disease (WMD) on certain blood parameters, MDA and GSH levels in liver and thyroid tissues and the thyroid hormones were investigated in sheep.

Sixteen lambs (8 with WMD, 8 controls) of similar age, 3 to 50 days old, selected from the same region were used in the study. Blood samples were taken from all animals. One ml Vitamin E + Se were injected (I/M) to the lambs with WMD and blood and tissue samples were collected after the treatment as well. The serum Ca, P, T3, T4, albumin, globulin, total protein, glutathione (GSH) values were analyzed by an auto-analyzer. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and GSH amounts of the liver and thyroid tissues were also determined.

The low Ca ion amount in lambs with WMD was found to have increased after injections of vitamin E + Se. P levels followed the same pattern. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels increased after treatment. It was determined that there was a decrease in T3 levels and an increase in T4 levels in patient lamb sera. The levels of GSH in both the liver and thyroid tissues were found to have decreased and statistical significance (at what level) was only found for the liver GSH levels. MDA levels in the hepatic and thyroid tissues were found to have slightly increased in the WMD group. In conclusion, serum differences in Ca, P, albumin, globulin, total protein, T3, T4, GSH, GSH and MDA levels were statistically significant between the groups.