KAFKAS UNIVERSITESI VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI, cilt.16, sa.4, ss.641-645, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
The present study aimed to investigate the cardiac troponin (cTn I and cTn T) levels in healthy ruminants. The study involved 30 cattle (15 male, 15 female), 30 Akkaraman sheep (15 male, 15 female) and 30 goats (15 male, 15 female) and all animals were clinically healthy. The study animals were grouped as 0-6 months, 6-12 months and 12 months and over. Blood samples were obtained from jugular vein and cardiac troponin I and T levels, and biochemical parameters (CK, CK-MB, AST and LDH) were measured. Troponin T values were found as negative in all three species. Troponin I values were 0-0.23 ng/ml (mean 0.18 ng/ml) in cattle, 0-0.21 ng/ml (mean 0.15 ng/ml) in sheep and 0-0.24 ng/ml (mean 0.20 ng/ml) in goats. It was also found that the values were in declared limits for cattle and sheep. Although CK, CK-MB, AST and LDH values were in normal ranges AST levels were higher in cattle and sheep of 0-6 months of age and, LDH levels were higher in sheep and goat at 6-12 months of age. In conclusion, obtained troponin values in this study could be values for healthy ruminants.