SERUM AMYLOID A CONCENTRATIONS AND LYSOZYME BACTERIOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN THE SERUM OF SHEEP WITH NATURAL ZEARALENOSIS

The aim of the study was to assess bacteriolytic activity of lysozyme and serum amyloid A (SAA) level in sheep affected with zearalenone mycotoxicosis. Bacteriolytic activity of lysozyme, and serum amyloid A (SAA) level are both the elements of innate humoral immunity. Lysozyme bacteriolytic activity in serum was determined by diffusion-plate method with reference to Micrococcus luteus. SAA concentration was determined by the use of commercial ELISA kit (Phase Serum Amyloid A Assai TP802). The highest lysozyme bacteriolytic activity was observed in sheep with total rectal and intestinal mucosal membrane prolapse. Lysozyme concentration values in animals with partial rectal prolapse were significantly lower. In the control group, lysozyme concentration was low and within the range considered as physiologically normal. The highest levels of SAA, which ranged from 38.5 to 172 mu g/mL, were detected in sheep in which the highest lysozyme bacteriolytic activity was noted. From the data obtained, it is undoubtful that changes in SAA level in affected sheep and control sheep are reliable indicators of zearalenone mycotoxicosis progress and termination. The highest levels of SAA were noted in animals, which had the total rectal and intestinal prolapse in course of zearalenone mycotoxicosis, and after returning the rectum to the normal position, mucosal membrane necrosis occurred, which resulted in perforation and peritoneum inflammation. The observed differences in SAA level forming range in particular animals from infected group are conditioned by the character of inflammation process and intensity in organs altered by the disease, which are principal factors inducing changes in its concentration. The level of this protein in serum reflects activation state of immunological system and could be one of the criterions in sheep health assessment.