Biochemical changes in the blood of primitive Polish horses during the course of gasterophilosis.

摘要

In the available literature there are no studies regarding changes that occur in horses' blood during horse botfly Gasterophilus spp. invasion. Thus, some biochemical indicators were studied in primitive Polish horses in the whole larval development cycle of this parasite. On the basis of earlier estimations of the intensity of horse botfly invasion, 14 young stallions aged 1.5-2 years had been chosen in August from among 21 members of the herd, after which they were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first, comprising 7 horses, was the experimental group (infected by gadfly Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae) and the second (consisting of 7 horses as well) was the control group free from invasion of botfly's larvae. The blood for investigations was taken at monthly intervals from the cervical external vein from first decade of August 2000 to the middle of May 2001. Biochemical tests included estimation of total protein, albumins and glucose content and the activity of enzymes LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and AP (alkaline phosphatase), and electrolytes Cl (chloride), K (potassium), Na (sodium), P (phosphorus) and Ca (calcium). The presence of larvae initially lead to the decrease of albumin content, activity of LDH, ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase and an increase of total protein and glucose content. A decrease of K, Na, P and Ca content and an increase of Cl among the examined electrolytes were observed. A significant decrease of biochemical indicators in the serum of primitive Polish horses took place during the period of larvae presence in the stomach (January-April), to a lesser degree in the period of larvae presence in the tongue and during the infestation of the stomach (September-October). Metabolic disturbances caused by horse botfly G. intestinalis led to a decrease of activity of many enzymes and electrolytes, and did not affect the condition and health of primitive Polish horses. This indicates a considerable resistance of this animal species to invasions of internal parasites.