Tyrosine Ameliorates Some of the Clinical, Biochemical and Haematological Effects of Acute Stress Associated with Transportation of Desert Sheep

Authors: Ali B.H.¹; Al-Qarawi A.A.¹; Mousa H.M.¹; Mohammed S.M.²

Source: Veterinary Research Communications, Volume 25, Number 6, August 2001 , pp. 503-510(8)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

We studied some clinical, biochemical and haematological variables in Desert (Najdi) sheep acutely stressed in the course of individual road transportation, and the influence thereon of pretreatment with tyrosine. Transportation for 30 min resulted in variable but statistically insignificant increases in heart, pulse and respiratory rates. It also caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol (from 43.5 to 101.7 mmol/L) and glucose (from 3.1 to 4.5 mmol/L), and a decrease in that of magnesium (from 0.85 to 0.72 mmol/L). The endogenous thiocyanate level was unaffected. The transportation stress also decreased the haematocrit (PCV) and the number of lymphocytes, and increased the concentration of haemoglobin. Pretreatment of sheep with tyrosine at a dose of 100 mg/kg by the intravenous route significantly ameliorated the stress-induced clinical, biochemical and haematological changes. The treatment caused no overt adverse effects.

Keywords: cortisol; glucose; haematocrit; haemoglobin concentration; lymphocytes; sheep; stress; road transport; tyrosine

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, King Saud University, Buraydah, Al Gaseem, Saudi Arabia 2: King Khalid Wildlife Research Center, Saudi Arabia

Publication date: 2001-08-01