Cellular and Some Biochemical Changes in Blood and Peritoneal Fluid Constituents in Awassi Lambs Following Elective Castration

Abstract

No reports could be cited in the recent literature concerning the effects of surgical castration on blood and peritoneal fluid constituents in lambs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of surgical castration on cellular and some biochemical parameters of blood and peritoneal fluid in Awassi lambs. Eight, clinically healthy, 5-month-old, Awassi lambs were surgically castrated. Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were collected prior to castration (day 0) and on days 1, 3 and 7 post castration. Total nucleated cell count (TNCC) was determined using an electric cell counter. Total protein (TP), albumin, fibrinogen, creatinine, urea, glucose, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were analyzed using commercially available kits. Following castration, the number of peripheral fluid white blood cells (WBC) and the percentage of neutrophils significantly increased (p<0.05) while the percentage of lymphocytes significantly decreased (p<0.05). The blood fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, glucose, ALP, AST and LDH concentrations significantly increased (p<0.05). However, TP concentrations did not change. In the peritoneal fluid analysis, the total WBC count and the percentage of neutrophils significantly increased (p<0.05) while the percentage of monocytes significantly decreased (p<0.05) following the operation. There was no significant change (p>0.05) in the percentage of lymphocytes in the peritoneal fluid. The concentration of peritoneal fluid TP, urea, creatinine, glucose, ALP and AST significantly increased (p<0.05) while LDH concentration did not change. Results of this study show that changes in the blood and peritoneal fluid cellular and biochemical components are likely to follow elective surgical castration in lambs. These changes must be taken in consideration when peritoneal fluid samples from lambs are evaluated for the diagnosis of abdominal diseases.