AUTHOR(S) / АУТОР(И): Zvonko Antunović
, Josipa Kučan, Željka Klir Šalavardić
, Luka Šramek, Krunoslav Zmaić
, Josip Novoselec 
Download Full Pdf 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/SBT26.313A
ABSTRACT / САЖЕТАК:
This research aims to determine the hemogram of heavily pregnant Lika Pramenka ewes (n=25) and compare the obtained data with the reference values for sheep. The ewes were on average 3-5 years old, in their third pregnancy (20 days before lambing), healthy and in good physical condition. Statistical data analysis was performed by MEANS procedure. The research confirms that the most of hematological indicators measured within the hemogram (erythrogram and leukogram) were in accordance with the reference values, except for RBC (7.94 ×1012 L) and PLT (221.72 x109 L), as well as the content of MCHC (285 g L-1), all of which were lower, and the content of MCV (42.35 pg), which was higher than the reference values. Such results indicate that the late stage of pregnancy is a very demanding condition for ewes, so the hemogram models for sheep shall consider it in the standard reference ranges.
KEYWORDS / КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ:
blood, hemogram, Lika Pramenka sheep, heavily pregnant
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ПРОЈЕКАТ:
The research was funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (National Recovery and Resilience Plan project „Nutritional modeling and metabolomics in the function of improving livestock production“ 581-UNIOS-26)
REFERENCES / ЛИТЕРАТУРA:
- Adili N., Melizi M. (2013). The effect of age, sex and altitude on the morphometry of red blood cells in small ruminants. Journal of Animal Science and Advances. 3(1): 27-32.
- Antunović Z., Novoselec J., Sauerwein H., Šperanda M., Vegara M., Pavić V. (2011). Blood metabolic profile and some of hormones concentration in ewes during different physiological status. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science. 17(5): 687-695.
- Antunović Z., Marković B., Novoselec J., Šperanda M., Mioč B., Đidara M., Klir Ž., Radonjić D. (2015). Blood Metabolic profile and oxidative status of endangered Mediterranean sheep breeds during pregnancy. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science. 21(3): 655-661.
- Arfuso F., Fazio F., Rizzo M., Marafioti S., Zanghì E., Piccione G. (2016). Factors affecting the hematological parameters in different goat breeds from Italy. Annals of Animal Science. 16(3): 743–757.
- Arsenopoulos K.V., Michalopoulou E., Triantafyllou E., Fthenakis G.C., Papadopoulos E. (2025). Hematological Parameters of Clinically Healthy Indigenous Greek Goats (Capra prisca) and Their Associations with Parasitological Findings, Age and Reproductive Stage. Agriculture. 15(13): 1445.
- Azab M., Abdel-Maksoud H.A. (1999). Changes in some hematological and biochemical parameters during prepartum and postpartum periods in female Baladi goats. Small Ruminant Research. 34(1): 77-85.
- Barry J.S., Anthony R.V. (2009). The pregnant sheep as a model for human pregnancy. Theriogenology. 69(1): 55-67.
- Baumgartner W., Wittek T. (2017). Klinische Propädeutik der Haus- und Heimtiere, p. 424.
- Bezerra L.R., Oliveira W.D.C., Silva T.P.D., Torreão J.N.C., Marques C.A.T., Araújo M.J., Oliveira R.L. (2017). Comparative hematological analysis of Morada Nova and Santa Inês ewes in all reproductive stages. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira. 37(4): 408-414.
- Cihan H., Temizel E. M., Yilmaz Z., Ozarda Y. (2016). Serum iron status and its relation with haematological indexes before and after parturition in sheep. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 22(5): 679-683.
- Chikhaoui M., Hariche Z., Aiche S., Smail F., Berrani A. (2023). Hematological and Biochemical Blood Parameters During Pregnancy in Algerian Rembi Ewes. Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 54(4): 571-577.
- Gholizadeh S., Zamani P., Ghafouri-Kesbi F., Mirhoseini S.Z. (2024). Associations of Hematological Parameters with Age, Body Weight, Birth Type and Season in Lori-Bakhtiari Ewes. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science. 14(3): 413-421.
- Habibu B., Kawu M.U., Makun H.J., Aluwong T., Yaqub L.S., Ahmad M.S., Tauheed M., Buhari H.U. (2014). Influence of sex, reproductive status and foetal number on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, haematological and physiologic parameters in goats during the hot-dry season. Veterinarni Medicine-Czech. 59 (10): 479-490.
- Khalif A.T., Al-Thuwaini T.M., Al-Shuhaib M.B.S. (2020). Association of litter size with hematology parameters of Awassi Iraqi ewes. Journal of Kerbala for Agricultural Sciences. 7(2): 20-26.
- Latimer K.S., Prasse, K.W. (2003). Leukocytes. U: Latimer, K. S., Mahaffey, E. A., Prasse, K. W. (ur.), Duncan and Prasse’s Veterinary Laboratory Medicine—Clinical Pathology, 4. izd., Ames: Iowa State University Press, pp. 46–79.
- Manat T.D., Chaudhary S.S., Singh V.K., Pate, S.B., Puri G. (2016). Hematobiochemical profile in Surti goats during post-partum period. Veterinary World. 9(1): 19–24.
- Musk G.C., James A., Kemp M.W., Ritchie S., Ritchie A., Laurence M. (2017). Pregnant sheep in a Farm Environment Did Not Develop Anaemia. Animals. 7(5): 1-9.
- Panousis N.K., Kritsepi-Konstantinou M., Giadinis N.D., Kalaitzakis E., Polizopoulou Z., Karatzias H. (2007). Haematology values and effect of age and reproductive stage on haematological parameters of Chios sheep. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society. 58(2): 124-136.
- Polizopoulou Z.S. (2010). Haematological tests in sheep health management. Small Ruminant Research. 92(1-3): 88-91.
- Qureshi Z.I., Lodhi L.A., Samad H.A., Naz N.A., Nawaz M. (2001). Hematological profile following immunomodulation during late gestation in buffaloes (Bubalis Bubalus). Pakistan Veterinary Journal. 21: 148-151.
- Roger P.A. (2008). The impact of disease and disease prevention in animal welfare. Small Ruminant Research. 76(1-2): 104–111.
- Roland L., Drillic, M., Iwersen, M. (2014). Hematology as a diagnostic tool in bovine medicine. Journal Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation.26(6):592–598.
- Santarosa B.P., Dantas G.N., Ferreira D.O.L., Hooper H.B., Porto A.C.R.C., Garcia S.M.F.C., Surian S.R.S., Pieruzzi P.A.P., Silva A.A., Goncalves R.C. (2022). Comparison of hematological parameters between single and twin pregnancies in Dorper ewes during gestation, lambing, and postpartum. Ciência Rural. 52(1): e20201065.
- Shelhata N., Burrows R.F., Kelton J.G. (1999). Gestational thrombocytopenia. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 42(2): 327-334.
- Shek-Vugrovečki A., Vojta A., Šimpraga M. (2017). Establishing reference intervals for haematological and biochemical blood variables in Lika pramenka sheep. Veterinarski Arhiv. 87(4): 487–499.
- Yenilmez K., Arslan S., Kiliç S., Atalay H. (2021). Effect of twinship on selected hematological and biochemical parameters in late pregnant ewes. Medycyna Weterynyarjna. 77 (11): 541-545.
