blood metabolites reflecting energy balance and liver health in aborted sheep flocks of east azerbaijan province

Nutrition plays a central role in maintaining the balance and reactivity of the immune system. therefore, the inability to maintain nutrients within threshold values, such as glucose (as a primary fuel source for immune cells), can negatively impact the functionality of the immune system and its ability to respond to infections. the liver also plays a crucial role in metabolism by coordinating metabolic signals and energy substrates in the body. in this study, we measured the levels of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (bhb), and liver enzymes (as indicators of liver health) in blood samples. the aim was to investigate whether these factors could potentially contribute to cases of abortion in sheep and goats. a total of 373 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats that had experienced abortions in east azerbaijan province. the serum was separated and stored at -70 °c. glucose levels were determined using the glucose oxidase method, alanine aminotransferase (alt) and aspartate transaminase (ast) levels were measured with photometric techniques and commercial kits (pars azmoon co.), and bhb levels were assessed using a commercial kit from randox company uk).the average ast level was 127.37 u/l, with 1.61% of samples outside the normal range. alt averaged 27.58 u/l, with 56.18% outside the reference range. bhb averaged 0.57 mmol/l, and 8.60% were higher than 0.7 mmol/l. the average glucose level was 50.21 mg/dl, with 56.72% outside the reference range. the lower glucose levels in aborted cases may result from increased energy demands or, more likely, inadequate nutrition and insufficient carbohydrate intake, contributing to abortion events. elevated alt more specifically indicates liver injury than ast. consequently, nearly normal ast levels with elevated alt may suggest liver injury due to infectious diseases or toxin exposure, with infection being the more probable cause.