D. GUDEV, S. POPOVA-RALCHEVA, I. YANCHEV and P. MONEVA
Institute of Animal Science, BG - 2232 Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
GUDEV D., S. POPOVA-RALCHEVA, I. YANCHEV and P. MONEVA, 2007. Adrenal response to stress and plasma levels of cholesterol, urea and indol in acetylsalicylic acid treated lambs. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 13: 575-581
In this study we investigated the effects of acetylsalicylic acid on adrenal response and plasma levels of cholesterol, urea and indol in 3 months old lambs exposed to various stress stimuli: separation of the lambs from their mothers, transport (24 km) and accommodation to a new environment.
The animals (n=10) were allocated into 2 groups – control and experimental. The experimental lambs were given orally one tablet aspirin (325 mg) immediately before the transport and another tablet 3 days after the transport.
Acetylsalicylic acid pretreatment decreased plasma cortisol level at 1st (P>0.05) and 3rd d (P<0.05) as compared to control lambs but had no aftereffect as judged by cortisol levels measured at 6 d and 9 d. Plasma cholesterol levels tended to be lower in experimental lambs.
Plasma urea and indol levels in experimental lambs were higher throughout the studied period but the urea levels of significance were achieved at 3 d and 9 d (P<0.05) and those of indol levels at 1 d and 6 d (P<0.01).
It is suggested that the observed effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the investigated blood constituents was mediated by hypothalamic- pituitary- adrenal axis and digestive tract microflora.