Serum electrolyte changes in West African dwarf (WAD) sheep with single or concurrent (Babesia ovis and Trypanosome congolense ) infections

Abstract

Electrolyte play significant roles in inter – compartment water balance. Serum samples from protozoa infected West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep were analyzed for electrolyte levels; Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, HCO^3-, Cl^- and PO,sup>4-. Intermittent changes in the levels of these electrolytes were observed in single or concurrent T. congolense or B. ovis infected WAD sheep. In animals infected with B. ovis, the effect was chronic while in animals (group II) infected with T. congolense effect was acute. Intermittent changes were observed in single infectious but absent in concurrent infection. The intermittent changes observed in single infections were similar but it is of low amplitude of variation in B. ovis infected sheep. The observed values in T. congolense infected ones. There were significant changes in the levels of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, HCO^3-, Cl^- and PO^4- (P< 0.05) in both infections except that Ca²⁺ remains unchanged in single infections. The implication of this finding is discussed.

African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol. 8(1) 2005: 63-65