Monitoring of experimentally induced hyperlipidaemia in donkeys

Abstract EN

Controlled experiment was conducted to induce hyperlipidaemia in donkeys.

For the purpose of the study, 12 male donkeys 4-10 years were housed in the College farm in different pens.

Animals were randomly allocated into two groups of equal number.

Animals in the two groups were subjected to fasting for 4 and 5 days, respectively.

Blood samples were collected several times during three occasions i.e.

pre-fasting, fasting and post fasting.

Haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and RBCs count were evaluated in all animals.

Plasma was tested for total proteins, albumin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, AST activity level and Bilirubin.

Pulse rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were also evaluated.

General health of animals and abnormal clinical signs were recorded daily.

Withholding feed significantly increased mean plasma urea, AST, bilirubin and creatinine level.

Total protein and albumin, decreased significantly in animals subjected to fasting for five days, compared with baseline values.

Mean plasma TG and total cholesterol concentrations significantly increased with time in feed-deprived donkeys.

In conclusion, withholding feed for four and five days significantly increases blood lipid concentrations in donkeys, but individual donkeys respond differently.