Serum Calcium Concentration and Some Biochemical Parameters in Lambs With White Muscle Disease

Abstract

White Muscle Disease (WMD), also called muscular dystrophy, is a nutritional and enzootic disease of lambs characterized by muscle degenerations. The aim of WMD this study was to determine if WMD in lambs is associated with changes in serum calcium concentrations. Fifteen lambs with WMD and ten healthy lambs of Akkaraman breed were the subject of the study. Prior to treatment (at day 0) with a mixture of sodium selenit, vitamin E and vitamin B, serum calcium concentration in lambs with WMD was higher than that in healthy lambs (p<0.05). Similarly, prior to the treatment, blood Creatine Kinase (CK), Aspartate Aminotranferase (AST), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) concentrations in lambs with WMD were significantly higher compared to healthy lambs (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Thirty days after treatment, none of the parameters were significantly different between treated lambs and healthy controls (p>0.05). As a result, in addition to well known biochemical parameters including CK, LDH, AST, ALT and ALP, serum calcium concentration is also elevated in lambs with WMD.