ORIGINAL

Influence of gastrointestinal parasitism on biochemical variables in blood of laying hens

Influencia del parasitismo gastrointestinal en las variables bioquímicas en la sangre de las gallinas ponedoras

Josué P Topázio,¹ M.Sc, Gabriela Campigotto,¹ M.Sc, Marcel M Boiago,¹ Ph.D, Gustavo Machado,² M.Sc, Diovani Paiano,¹ Ph.D, Alexandre A Tonin,³ Ph.D, Aleksandro S da Silva,¹* Ph.D.

¹ Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Departamento de Zootecnia, Rua Beloni Trombita Zanini, 680E - Santo Antônio, Chapecó - SC, 89815-630, Brasil.
² Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Laboratório de Epidemiologia Veterinária, Porto Alegre - RS, 91540-000, Brasil.
³ Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Avenida Roraima, 1000 - Camobi, Santa Maria - RS, 97105-900, Brasil.

*Correspondence: aleksandro_ss@yahoo.com.br

Received: October 2014; Acepted: February 2015.

ABSTRACT

Objective. This study describes the influence of endoparasites and diet on biochemical variables in sera of brown laying hens. Materials and methods. Biochemical parameters (seric levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, uric acid, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase activity) were assessed in blood samples of poultry. Three populations of laying hens of different properties (n=20 each) represented our experimental design, from which blood (serum) and feces were collected for biochemical and parasitological analyzes, respectively. Results. From 60 feces samples evaluated 49 were positive for the presence of parasites and 11 were negative. Among the positive samples, 23 had infection with Eimeria spp and the other 26 samples had mixed parasitism with Eimeria spp and Heterakis gallinarum, which influenced (increasing) the levels of total protein and globulin. However, when parasites were analyzed separately, it was observed that the infection by Eimeria spp affected parameters such as cholesterol (which increased, p=0.001) and triglycerides, showing lower results than when the hen was parasitized by Eimeria spp. (p=0.01). Significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in all biochemical variables when the three diets were compared. Conclusions. Our results allowed concluding that the parasitic infection and diet in laying hens influenced the results of serum biochemical parameters evaluated. The main conclusion we found that parasitism caused an increase in total protein and globulin (ie immune response), and there was a negative correlation between parasite load and albumin, uric acid and ALT.

Key words: Biochemical variables, Eimeria, Heterakis gallinarum, poultry (Source: CAB, MeSH).

RESUMEN

Objetivo. Este estudio describe la influencia de la dieta sobre los endoparásitos y variables bioquímicas en el suero de las gallinas ponedoras marrones. Materiales y métodos. Los parámetros bioquímicos (niveles séricos de colesterol, triglicéridos, proteínas totales, ácido úrico, albúmina, y la actividad de la alanina aminotransferasa) se evaluaron en muestras de sangre de las aves de corral. Tres poblaciones de gallinas ponedoras de distintas propiedades (n=20 cada uno) representan nuestro diseño experimental, de la que se recogieron la sangre (suero) y las heces de bioquímica y análisis parasitológico, respectivamente. Resultados. De 60 muestras de heces evaluadas, 49 fueron positivos para la presencia de parásitos y 11 fueron negativos. Entre las muestras positivas, 23 tenían infección con Eimeria spp y las otras 26 muestras tenían parasitismo mezclado con Eimeria spp y Heterakis gallinarum, que influyó (aumentando) los niveles de proteína total y globulina. Sin embargo, cuando se analizaron por separado los parásitos, se observó que la infección por Eimeria spp afectó parámetros tales como el colesterol (el cual se incrementó p=0.001) y los triglicéridos, que mostraron resultados más bajos que cuando las gallinas fueron parasitadas por Eimeria spp. (p=0.01). Se observó diferencia (p<0.05) en todas las variables bioquímicas, cuando se compararon las tres dietas. Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados permitieron concluir que la infección parasitaria y la dieta de las gallinas ponedoras influyeron en los resultados de los parámetros bioquímicos séricos evaluados. La principal conclusión que se encontró es que el parasitismo causó un aumento de la proteína total y la globulina (es decir, la respuesta inmune), y hubo una correlación negativa entre la carga de parásitos y albúmina, ácido úrico y ALT.

Palabras clave: Aves de corral, variables bioquímicas, Eimeria, Heterakis gallinarum. (Fuente: CAB, MeSH).

INTRODUCTION

Sanity and nutrition are essential factors for the proper animal development, especially in production systems. Improper handling may be responsible for the occurrence of various diseases, including those caused by parasites, such as coccidiosis (1). Coccidiosis is caused by several species of the genus Eimeria, a protozoan. These intracellular parasites usually infect the cells of the digestive tract, causing cell disruption and tissue injury due to the parasite multiplication, causing, consequently occurs bleeding, leading to malabsorption of nutrients and being a gateway to other pathogens (1,2). Broilers, layers and breeders in general are subjected to contamination with Eimeria spp., mainly because in different breeding systems the animals are infected by ingesting sporulated oocysts in water and laying bed. Several species of Eimeria can infect chickens, but the most commonly found are E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox and E. tenella (3). Ascaris galli and Heterakis gallinarum are also endoparasites commonly observed infecting chickens. These nematodes normally infect the large intestine of these animals, causing weight loss, diarrhea and intestinal mucosal lesion (2,4). This infection usually leads to irreparable intestine damage, affecting the absorption of nutrients (2).

The analysis of biochemical variables can assist in a rapid diagnosis. Among these variables, the most relevant to chickens is alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a catalytic enzyme that has the function of transaminase and acts in the catabolism of amino acids and transport of nitrogen among organs (5). In this sense, ALT activity is an indicator of liver and muscle injuries, especially when it is significantly increased (6). Other relevant metabolites that can be assessed are the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin, proteins that can be influenced by the type of diet and creation system, as well as by the different infectious diseases due to the involvement of globulins in the inflammatory response (2,7). Yet, the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides may reflect eating disorders, often derived from the diet (8).

Considering that the levels of some blood biochemical variables are linked to the physiological condition and nutritional profile of the animal, as well as it is known that eimeriosis may influence directly the functional animal homeostasis (4,9), this study aimed to evaluate the effects of parasitic diseases and diet on blood biochemical parameters of laying hens.

MATERIAIL AND METHODS

Ethical aspects. The project was approved by the ethics committee on animal research at the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, protocol number, 01.24.14.

Study sites. Samples were collected from three commercial poultry farms located in different towns of western Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. The hens were housed collectively in a shed, and the animals were laying eggs in nests.

Animals and collection of samples. Our experimental design used 60 laying hens of Hy Line lineage, aging between 17 and 23 weeks. From each property it was collected a total of 20 blood and faeces samples.

For collect the samples the laying hens were manually contained. By brachial vein route, using a 5.0 mL syringe and needle 25x7, it was collected an average of 2.5 mL of blood, from which sera samples were obtained through blood centrifugation at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes. Serum samples were identified and stored at -20°C until the biochemical analyzes.

Samples of feces were collected immediately after collection of blood through the direct collect of cloacal feces (2 to 4 g). They were stored in plastic containers and kept under refrigeration (10°C) until laboratorial processing.

Biochemical variables. Seric levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, uric acid, albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity were assessed using a semi-automated analyzer (Bioplus 2000®), and used specific kits for each test (Gold Analisa Diagnóstica® Ltda). Globulin levels were calculated as the difference between total protein and albumin (10).

Parasitological of faeces. Fecal samples (1 g) were processed by the flotation method (centrifugal flotation technique), using sucrose supersaturated solution (15 mL). The samples were centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 minutes. The microscopic evaluation aimed to visualize eggs, cysts and oocysts of parasites in 100 and 400x, as well as quantified the number of oocysts per gram of feces (OOPG) of coccidian in glass slide each. The helminth eggs were only identified, and not quantified.

Diet. In each farm, two samples (500 g) of ration were collected and identified. These samples were kept under refrigeration condition throughout the transport from the site of analysis, where they were stored frozen until analysis. The samples were ground in a hammer mill type using sieves of 1 mm, and then conducted analysis of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy, ether extract and mineral matter (11), of the agreement with the methodology (12).

Statistical analysis. The data from biochemical analysis: albumin, uric acid, ALT, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and globulin, as well as the OOPG count were first analyzed by descriptive statistics for contingency of the information and for further assumptions and what is presented as descriptive is the mean and standard deviation. All above parameters were tested for normality of variance by Shapiro-Wilk test, skewness, kurtosis and homogeneity by Levene’s test previously to ANOVA analysis. The OOPG, alt, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and globulin were transformed by {Log₁₀(x+1)} before linear and variance analysis. All biochemical parameters were also analyses for correlation with OOPG count by Kendall rank correlation. For parametric analysis first type of diet was analyzed by compering its influence on biochemical parameter using one-way ANOVA as well as linear regression model for correlation, where necessary (statistic difference were found), Bonferroni’s test (13). Finally, it was also analyzed the influence of parasite infection type on the biochemical parameters by compering its influence on biochemical parameter using one-way ANOVA as well as linear regression model for correlation, where necessary (statistic difference were found), Bonferroni’s test (13). It was considered significantly different when p<0.05. The whole statistical process was carried out with R-language, v.2.15.2 (R Development Core Team, 2012).

RESULTS

Parasites and infection type. Among the samples tested, 11 were negative and 49 were positives for Eimeria spp. (oocysts) and/or Heterakis gallinarum (eggs). The OOPG showed a mean value of 596.46 (ranging between 0-9696) in the three properties under evaluation.

Diet. The data of diet analyzes are presented in table 1. Numerically, the diet 1 had lower levels of crude protein, gross energy, ether extract, and mineral matter when compared with diets 2 and 3.

Relationship between biochemical variables and OOPG. Negative correlation between OOPG (Eimeria spp) and albumin (r= -0.28), uric acid (r= -0.28), and ALT (r= -0.19) in the serum of the laying hens was observed (Table 2). It was not observed correlation between OOPG and cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and globulin (Table 2).

Relationship between biochemical variables and diet. The results of biochemical variables in layers serum at three farms with different diets were shown in table 3. There was statistical significance between diets and albumin levels (F=7.62, df=2, p<0.001) being higher on diets 2 and 3, respectively (B=0.50±0.13, t=3.74, p<0.01 and B=0.38±0.13, t=2.84, p<0.001). Also was observed a statistical significance between diets and uric acid levels (F=23.9, df=2, p<0.001) being higher on diet 2 and 3, respectively (B=3.42±0.61, t=5.60, p<0.01 and B=3.87±0.61, t=6.32, p<0.001). Other analysis with statistical significance was between diets and ALT levels (F=10, df=2, p<0.001) being higher on diet 2 and 3, respectively (B=0.60±0.15, t=3.90, p<0.01 and B=0.59±0.15, t=3.85, p<0.001).

The lipid metabolism also changed with the different diets, there was statistical significance between diets and cholesterol levels (F=4.63, df=2, p<0.001) being lower on diet 2 and 3, respectively (B=-0.24±0.17, t=-1.37, p=0.17 and B=-0.54±0.17, t=-3.04, p<0.001), and triglycerides levels (F=16.4, df=2, p<0.001) being lower on diet 3, respectively (B=-0.45±0.15, t=-2.93, p=0.001). Moreover, it was verified a statistical significance effect between diets on total protein levels (F=37.9, df=2, p<0.001) being higher on diet 3 (B=0.40±0.06, t=6.27, p<0.001). Likewise, was observed a statistical significance between diets and globulin levels (F=40.6, df=2, p<0.001) being lower on diet 3 (B=-0.47±0.10, t=-4.39, p<0.001) and higher on diet 2 (B=0.50±0.10, t=4.62, p<0.001).

Relationship between biochemical variables and parasites. The effects of type (simple or mixed) infection on serum biochemical variables are presented in table 4. There was no statistical significance between the type of infection and parasites with albumin levels (F=0.43, gl=2, p=0.64), uric acid levels (F=1.35, gl=2, p=0.26) and ALT activity (F=1.47, df=2, p=0.23). However, a statistically significant difference between the type of infection and parasites with cholesterol levels was observed (F=7.08, gl=2, p=0.001), being higher in chickens parasitized only by Eimeria spp. (B=0.67±0.19, t=3.42, p=0.001) and did not differ for mixed infection by Eimeria spp. and H. galinarum (B=0.20±0.20, t=0.21, p=0.19), when compared to the uninfected chickens.

A statistically significant difference between infection and parasite with triglyceride levels was observed (F=8.69, gl=2, p=0.001), being lower in the serum of chickens only parasitized by Eimeria spp. (B=-0.50±0.19, t=-2.57, p=0.01), but without statistical significance for the mixed infection (B=0.10±0.20, t=0.50, p=0.61). Statistically significant difference between types of infections and parasites with the total protein levels was verified (F=13.28, gl=2, p=0.001) and globulin (F=14.65, gl=2, p=0.001). The levels of total protein and globulin were higher in chickens infected with mixed infection by parasites (B=0.26±0.09, t=2.81, p=0.006; B=0.37±0.15, t=2.32, p=0.02, respectively), but no significant difference in single infection by Eimeria spp. (B=0.10±0.09, t=0.09, p=0.29; B=0.30±0.16, t=1.78, p=0.08) when compared to the uninfected chickens.

DISCUSSION

It was found that the laying hens naturally infected with parasites (Eimeria spp and Heterakis gallinarum) presented a change in the levels of blood biochemical variables. Chickens experimentally infected with Ascaridia galli presented decreased seric levels of glucose, total protein, albumin and magnesium (14). Additionally, biochemical studies in an experimental Eimeria necatrix infection in chickens caused a reduction in the levels total protein, albumin and globulin, as well as an elevation in cholesterol concentration in serum (14). Similarly, in our study it was observed a negative correlation between albumin levels and degree of infection by Eimeria (OOPG), i.e., the observation of higher OOPG and lower albumin levels. Also, it was observed an increase of cholesterol in the single infection by Eimeria spp, a similar finding observed by Basith et al (15).

The number of oocysts negatively influenced the serum levels of albumin. It may is explained by the fact that parasitic infections cause intestine enteritis and bleeding in birds, leading to a malabsorption syndrome that can impair the protein metabolism (4,16). Total protein and globulin levels did not show significant correlation with the number of Eimeria spp. oocysts, although there was a tendency (p=0.08) to a positive correlation with globulin. Levels of uric acid were also negatively influenced by the degree of parasitism (OOPG). It represents the main form of variable excretion of nitrogenous compounds in chickens. Considering that diarrhea is usually caused by these parasites, it may cause an accelerated elimination of nitrogenous compounds (precursors of uric acid), decreasing its synthesis and, consequently, its blood concentration (5,17).

In this study, the ALT activity was lower in hens with larger numbers of oocysts of Eimeria spp. A possible damage to enterocytes caused by this parasite may have impaired the absorption of amino acids and phosphorus, which are important elements in the process of liver ALT biosynthesis (18), this hypothesis can be confirmed starting from analyzes of serum levels of phosphorus, generating a new correlation study. Moreover, changes in serum ALT activity may be related to liver lesion (6), usually increasing its activity. However, we observed an opposite situation where its levels were reduced. Thus, we suggest that the change on ALT activity was not related to tissue damage.

There was no relation between cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid metabolism) with the degree of parasitism (OOPG), but it was observed a reduction in the concentration of triglycerides in animals with single infection by Eimeria. It was already expected since this parasite usually causes intestine lesions (4,16), and therefore, it may lead to malabsorption of fatty acids present in the diet. Additionally, it was observer higher cholesterol levels in laying hens infected with parasites; however, it remained without a plausible explanation.

High levels of total protein and globulin in chickens with mixed infection by Eimeria spp. and H. gallinarum may be was related to the immune response against the parasitism (7) It is known that host subjected to parasitic diseases usually activates the humoral and cellular immune responses in order to produce protection against the parasites (19). Our findings in this study suggest that the increase in total protein and globulin were mainly related to H. gallinarum infection, since the single infection by Eimeria spp did not change these variables.

It was found that the chickens that received diets 2 and 3, with higher levels of protein had significantly higher seric total protein. It is explained since there is a close relation between nutritional levels, total protein and albumin (20). Similarly, the uric acid levels were also lower in chickens fed with diets with lower protein amounts. It is another expected result, since this compound is synthesized from the amino acid portion of nitrogen, being in the form of nitrogen excretion from birds (5, 18). Data of ALT activity showed that diet with lower crude protein resulted in a lower ALT activity. It occurred possibly due to the lower intake of amino acid provided by the diet, as found in broilers at 21 days (21).

The higher levels of blood cholesterol were found in hens under the diet 1, or with lower levels of energy and crude protein. Our hypothesis is that chickens receiving this diet synthesized cholesterol more intensely, especially because the three diets evaluated were prepared from ingredients of vegetable origin, and therefore, cholesterol free. Another possible explanation is the use of oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diets 2 and 3, which were more energetic. According of Murray et al. (17) these fatty acids act reducing cholesterol (LDL) by increasing the catabolism of LDL, the major atherogenic lipoprotein protein. Additionally, triglyceride levels were higher in the diet with greater energy levels. However, the levels of this variable were closely related to the time of blood collection, because the lipid metabolism in laying hens is very unstable, since the yolk is composed mainly of fats.

Based on the results it can be concluded that infection with parasites influence on serum biochemical variables in laying hens. The reduction of some biochemical variables may be related to intestinal damage due to the parasitism by Eimeria spp, a well-known factor described in the literature, and therefore, contributing to a less absorption of nutrients. The increase of total protein and globulin were suggestive of immune response activation against H. gallinarum. Finally, this study also confirmed that the diet has a direct effect on biochemical variables. Therefore, to avoid losses in production emphasize the importance of the use of coccidiosis control programs (22).

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