The activity of enzymes in serum and tissues of clinically normal sheep

Authors: Keller P
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 21, Issue 10, pp 221-227, Oct 1973
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Biochemistry/chemistry, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures
Article class: Scientific Article

---

Abstract: Even in healthy animals enzyme activities are present in serum because of physiological wear and replacement of body cells. Increases in serum enzyme activities are, with some exceptions (Gerber, 1969), attributed to leakage of enzymes from damaged organs, the particular enzyme pattern of which superimposes itself upon that of normal serum (Gerber, 1963; Boyd, 1964; Ford, 1967). In any case, serum enzyme activity increases can be expected only if active damage to the structural integrity of tissue cells is present (Gerber, 1963; Treacher and Sansom, 1969). It may often be difficult to recognize a certain organ enzyme pattern in the serum, since the pattern may be atypical owing to an abnormality in the pathogenesis of the disease. In view of the prevalence of diseases affecting liver and muscle in New Zealand sheep, it appears that the determination of organ-specific enzymes in serum could be valuable, especially when applied as a screening method to whole flocks in which such diseases are suspected. At present, however, the confusion of definitions for units of activity in published results makes it very difficult for the practitioner to get a clear idea of differences between normal and pathological conditions and consequently also to interpret results obtained from laboratories. To interpret serum enzyme activities for any diagnostic purpose, a clinician should have some knowledge of the organic origin of enzymes, of their normal levels in serum, and their biochemical and biophysical characteristics, and should also be familiar with the precautions necessary to obtain reliable data. In the present study a synopsis of the tissue distribution of enzymes often used in clinical chemistry is given in sheep. Normal serum levels, expressed as international units (i.u.) of these enzymes were determined in clinically normal New Zealand sheep. The study also deals with enzyme activity changes in serum under certain storage conditions and quality control.

---