Sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations in blood serum after the treatment of ewes in puerperium

This study was aimed at the observation of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calc ium (Ca), and (P) phosphorus levels in ewes in puerperal period after the t reatment with Depotocin, Leciva and Dirigestran, Leciva. Twenty-nine Slovak Merino sheep kept on a commercial farm were included in the experiment. Th e animals were divided into three groups with one group being a control one (n = 10). The animals in the control group were treated with 1 ml of salin e solution in 24 h (i.m.) and 72 h (s.c.) post partum. The ewes in the firs t group (n = 9) were administered 0.07 mg of carbetocin (2-0-methylthyronin e deamino 1 carba oxytocin, Depotocin, Leciva) at the same time as the cont rol ones. The second experimental group (n = 10) was treated with 200 mu g of synthetic LH RH (Dirigestran, Leciva) at every treatment. Blood samples were taken before the treatment 12 hs after parturition (day 0). Blood samp ling continued on days 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34, 42 and 51 post partum (p.p .). Na, K, Ca and inorganic P levels were determined in blood serum. A spec trophotometer Atomspek (RANG-HIGLER) was used to determine Na and K levels. Ca and P concentrations were determined using the BIO-LACHEMA tests (Lache ma Diagnostika, Brno, Czech Republic). Na concentrations revealed significa nt differences between the control animals and the ewes treated with Depoto cin on days 4, 25 and 42 (P < 0.05), on days 51 (P < 0.01) and day 17 (P < 0.001). Significant differences in Na levels between the control group and the group treated with Dirigestran were recorded on days 4 (P < 0.001), 7, 14, 17 (P < 0.01) and 42 (P < 0.05). Significant differences in Ca levels w ere determined between the control animals and the animals that were applie d Dirigestran on day 21 (P < 0.05). Significant differences in Ca levels we re found between the control group and the group treated with Depotocin on day 21 p.p. (P < 0.01). The ewes after the application of Dirigestran showe d significant differences in comparison with the control ones on day 7, 17, 25 (P < 0.05) and 21 (P < 0.01). P levels revealed significant differences in comparison with the control in the animals treated with Depotocin (P < 0.05) on days 4, 7, 14 and 34 and (P < 0.01) on days 17, 21 42 and 51; and in the ewes treated with Dirigestran on day 42 (P < 0.01). Concerning the a bove results were concluded that the repeated treatment during early puerpe rium in ewes influenced the increase in mineral homeostasis levels.