SOME SERUM BIOCHEMICAL, HORMONAL AND PROTEIN ELECTROPHORETICAL STUDIES ON SHEEP AND GOATS SUFFERING FROM MYCOTOXICOSIS AND /OR BRUCELLOSI

Abstract

A total of 156 serum samples were collected from adult ewes and goats (78 animals per species) for serological identification of brucellosis and mycotoxicosis through a study in Kaleubia province, Egypt [date not given]. 47 feed mixtures (concentrates) and 43 maize samples were collected from localities of Brucella spp.-infected sheep and goats. The feed samples were used for extraction and measurement of different mycotoxins. The mycotoxins were identified and measured in the serum of Brucella spp.-infected and non-infected animals. One month after parturition or abortion, 20 animals from each species were divided into four equal groups as follows: the first group was the control animal, the second group was non-infected but had naturally occurring mycotoxicoses, the third group was the Brucella spp.-infected animals and the fourth group was both Brucella spp.-affected and mycotoxin-poisoned animals. The serum biochemical, hormonal and protein electrophoretic studies were carried out in all groups. It was shown that aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin-A (OA) and fumonisin-B1 (FB1) mycotoxins were identified and measured in feed, but AFB1 and OA could only be identified in the serum samples. The mycotoxins were detected in 82.6{%} of Brucella spp.-infected animals and in 10{%} of non-infected animals. In either mycotoxin poisoned and/or Brucella spp.-infected animals, there was a significant decrease in serum prolactin levels. In non-infected animals, mycotoxicosis induced non-significant increases in serum progesterone levels. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones were significantly increased in the serum of most ewe and goat groups. Mycotoxicosis induced significant hyperalphaglobulinaemia and hypobetaglobulinemia in non-infected animals compared to controls. Mycotoxicosis also induced hypogammaglobulinaemia in goats. In most cases, mycotoxicosis and/or brucellosis induced hyperbilirubinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and significantly increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity compared to the controls. In many cases, mycotoxicosis, unless it induced significant biochemical changes alone, also induced such significant changes, especially in combination with brucellosis. Based on our study, we could suggest that mycotoxicosis may predispose sheep and goats to stress and may be an immunosuppressive factor for brucellosis. Also, mycotoxicosis and/or brucellosis may induce serum biochemical endocrinological, metabolic, hepatic and reproductive disturbances in ewes and goats.