BLOOD, METABOLIC AND ENDOCRINE BIOMARKERS IN DONKEYS (Equus africanus asinus) SUPPLEMENTED WITH DIFFERENT ENERGY SOURCES

Abstract

Blood and endocrine biomarkers have rarely been described in donkeys. This study aimed to analyze the effects of isoenergetic supplementation with three energy sources for 8wk on blood and endocrine biomarkers in donkeys. Fifteen donkeys were used and divided into 3 groups (extruded feed (ExF), extruded feed plus corn (C+ExF), and corn (C) and were supplemented isocalorically. Blood samples were collected at three times (pre-test, 4 and 8 weeks after supplementation). After 8wk, there were not significant difference between the treatment but detected between the phase, where results showed decreased values of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, other cells, total plasma protein, albumin, creatinine, uric acid, GGT, AF and NEFA (P < 0.05) and increased values of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes, urea, AST and ALT (P < 0.05). Analyzing postprandial glucose and insulin results, it was not observed differences among the treatments for [glucose] (P > 0.05), however, differences were significant for [insulin] (P < 0.05). ExF group exhibiting the highest insulin concentration (P < 0.05). As for the experimental phases, there were differences for glucose (P < 0.05), with the highest mean concentration observed at the end of blood collection (+ 4 h). It was concluded that supplementation with three different combination of energy source in adult donkeys improve homeostasis of the energetic biomarker, reducing NEFA concentration without changes in post-prandial glucose but modifying post-prandial insulin, and increase immunological capacity associated with an increase in the lymphocyte number.