Effect of zinc supplementation on ecto-adenosine deaminase activity in lambs infected by Haemonchus contortus: Highlights on acute phase of disease

• Published in: Experimental parasitology 2015-04, Vol.151-152, p.34-38
• Main Authors: Baldissera, Matheus D., Pivoto, Felipe L., Bottari, Nathieli B., Tonin, Alexandre A., Machado, Gustavo, Aires, Adelina R., F.X. Rocha, José, Pelinson, Luana P., Dalenogare, Diéssica P., Schetinger, Maria Rosa C., Morsch, Vera M., L.R. Leal, Marta, Da Silva, Aleksandro S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adenosine Deaminase - blood; Anemia - parasitology; Anemia - veterinary; Animals; E-ADA; Feces - parasitology; Haemonchiasis - drug therapy; Haemonchiasis - enzymology; Haemonchiasis - veterinary; Haemonchus contortus; Hematocrit - veterinary; Intestines - parasitology; Male; Mineral supplementation; Nematoda; Parasite Egg Count - veterinary; Ruminantia; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - drug therapy; Sheep Diseases - enzymology; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; Strongylida; Zinc - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.01.010

•The hemonchosis in lambs causes anemia.•H. contortus infection cause reduced E-ADA activity and zinc levels.•Zinc is present in the E-ADA and is responsible for the activation of the enzyme.•Zinc supplementation was not able to prevent the reduction on hematocrit.•Zinc supplementation has a positive effect on E-ADA activity in infected lambs. Adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) activity in serum of Haemonchus contortus-infected lambs at 11, 25 and 39 days post-infection (PI) after experimental disease on the following groups: male lambs uninfected without Zinc (Zn) supplementation (the Group A), male lambs uninfected with Zn supplementation (the Group B), male lambs H. contortus infected without Zn supplementation (the Group C), and male lambs H. contortus infected Zn supplementation (the Group D). Haemonchus contortus (order Strongylida) is a common parasitic nematode infecting small ruminants and causing significant economic losses worldwide. It induces innate and adaptive immune responses, which are essential for the clearance of this nematode from the host. Ecto-adenosine deaminase (E-ADA) is an enzyme that plays an important role in the immune system, while Zinc (Zn) has been found playing a critical role in E-ADA catalysis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of Zn supplementation on E-ADA activity in serum of lambs experimentally infected with H. contortus. To reach this purpose 28 male lambs (in average 25 kg) were used. The animals were divided into four groups: A and B composed of healthy animals (uninfected); C and D, infected with H. contortus. Groups B and D were supplemented with Zn Edetate, subcutaneously with 3 mg kg of live weight, on days 11 and 25 post-infection (PI). Blood and fecal samples were collected on the days 11, 25 and 39 PI, in order to assess hematocrit, seric E-ADA, and eggs per gram (EPG) counting, respectively. The animals of groups C and D showed severe hematocrit reduction (days 25 and 39 PI) and were EPG positive (days 11, 25 and 39 PI). On day 41 PI, three animals each group were subjected to necropsy. This procedure showed that animals of groups A and B did not have helminths in abomasum and intestines, while H. contortus were observed in groups C (5782.5 ± 810.9) and D (6185.0 ± 150.0). Infected and untreated animals (group C) showed a reduction in E-ADA activity, but this was not observed when the animals were supplemented with Zn (Group D). Therefore, based on our results, it was possible to observe