Adaptation potential of imported Lacaune rams evaluated by haematological parameters

Ivelina Nedeva, Todor Slavov, Veselin Radev, Dimitar Panayotov and Ivan Varlyakov

Abstract: The adaptation potential and resistance to stress of Lacaune rams, imported from southern France to environmental and climatic conditions in Bulgaria were investigated. The following blood parameters were assayed on day 15, month 2 and one year after the import: complete blood counts, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, globulins, cortisol, triiodothyronine (Т3) and thyroxine (Т4). Blood serum concentrations of hormones were determined by enzymatic microimmune assay on an AccuBindTM ELISA Test System. It was found out that adaptation potential of rams was good – the values of most of analysed parameters were regained with period of adaptation that lasted more than 2 months after the import and ended within a year after that. Adaptation was accompanied by metabolic changes – reduction of blood serum glucose (p<0.001), cholesterol (р<0.01), albumins (р<0.01) and alkaline phosphatase (p<0.001), and increase in ALAT (р<0.01) and GGT (р<0.05) activities. The elevation (р<0.001) in serum cortisol, triiodothyronine (Т3) and thyroxine (Т4) corresponded to presence of idiopathic stress, while the lack of negative health and behavioural signs indicated good resistance to stress, making Lacaune sheep breed appropriate for raising in conditions specific for the Republic of Bulgaria.

Keywords: adaptation; blood parameters; cortisol; Lacaune; rams; thyroxine; triiodothyronine

Date published: 2020-12-15