Lameness in domestic ruminants of different age groups at Ibadan: haematology, levels of serum glucose and some biomarkers of inflammation

Abstract

This study investigated the haematology, serum glucose and some biomarkers of inflammation in lame domestic ruminants of different age groups around Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. The animals sampled included various breeds of 1520 cattle, 350 sheep, and 2250 goats with ages estimated using dentition technique. Blood and serum samples were collected when the clinical signs of lameness were assessed with locomotion scoring of ≥ 3, over a period of one year. The haematological parameters were determined using standard laboratory techniques, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), and Interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6) were determined using Water’s 616/626 High Performance Liquid Chromatography system while the serum glucose and Serum Amyloid A (SAA) were determined using Technicons rapid colorimetric wave auto-analyzer II system. Data obtained during the study were statistically analyzed using Student’s t-test, Chi square test and one-way analysis of variance. Infectious and traumatic conditions appeared most common causes of lameness and male animals appeared to be more predisposed to lameness than the females. Adult cattle and goats were more predisposed to lameness but lambs seemed to be more predisposed among sheep. Most erythrocyte parameters were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in lame cattle and goats but were not significantly (P>0.05) different in lame sheep. The values of all selected inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, SAA, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6) were significantly (P<0.05) increased while the serum glucose level was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the lame ruminants. The differing influence of lameness on the haematology, serum glucose and some biomarkers of inflammation is highlighted.