الفهرس 
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Abstract
A total number of 72 late-pregnant ewes, aged 2-5 years were included in the study, with a gestational period of 14-20 weeks, from October 2021 to July 2022.
Ten ewes were selected from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, while the remaining 62 ewes were selected from two private farms in El-Minia Governorate, Egypt.
from the total number, 16 late-pregnant ewes were clinically healthy, showed good general body condition score and free from any signs of disease were kept as control group.
Generally, case history of the admitted cases including the following complains; inappetence (n.=37), late pregnant ewes (14-20 weeks), anorexia (n.=9), depression (n.=26), sternal (n.=12) and lateral recumbency (n.=5), scanty feces (n.=35), incoordination (n.=17), reluctance to move (n.=25), teeth gnashing (n.=28) and nervous symptoms (n.=15) such as circling movements, wandering, chewing movements with salivation.
Based on the results of clinical and biochemical findings, including glucose and BHBA levels, animals were classified into three groups: subclinical pregnancy toxaemic group (SCPT) (n=20), clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (CPT) (n=36) and Control group (n=16).
Two types of blood samples were collected from each animal under study: whole blood samples on sodium fluoride tubes as anticoagulant were used for the estimation of glucose, serum samples were obtained using plain tubes without anticoagulant for the estimation of metabolic profile indices, oxidative stress markers, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and serum proteins.
In this study, the clinical investigation of subclinical pregnant toxaemic ewes did not show any apparent signs of disease, but they exhibited a decreased appetite, while their body temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate were within the normal range.
The clinical investigation of clinical pregnancy toxaemic ewes showed, in the early stage, inappetence (75%), scanty faeces (97.2%), dullness, depression (72.2%) and unwilling to move (69.4%) while in a standing position. They also exhibited a decrease in ruminal cycles (72.2%), grinding of teeth (77.8%) and normal values for heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature. In the advanced stage, ewes showed sternal recumbency (33.3%), weakness, loss of condition, anorexia (25%) and a pronounced acetone odor emitted from the mouth and breath (47.2%). They also displayed nervous manifestations (41.7%) such as apparent blindness, head pressing, incoordination of movement (47.2%), neck muscular spasms, stiffness in the whole body and lateral deviation of the head and neck. In the terminal stage, ewes were displayed lateral recumbency (13.9%), anorexia, severe dehydration (25%) and were comatose. They also showed subnormal body temperature, tachycardia and labored breathing.
Beta hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and non-stratified fatty acids (NEFA) levels in subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia groups exhibited significantly increased levels (P<0.05) than the healthy control group (CG). Additionally, the levels of beta hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and non-stratified fatty acids (NEFA) was significantly higher (P<0.01) between the subclinical and clinical pregnant toxaemic groups.
In comparison with the control group (CG), glucose levels showed no significant changes in subclinical pregnant toxaemic group, whereas its level exhibited a highly significant decrease in clinically pregnant toxaemic group (P<0.01).
Both of the subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia groups had increased levels (P<0.01) of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower levels (P<0.01) of paroxonase-1 enzyme (PON1) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to the control group (CG).
Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA) and paroxonase-1 enzyme (PON1) levels between the groups with subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia did not differ significantly.
In the subclinical pregnancy toxaemia group, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) levels increased in a highly significant way (P<0.01) in comparison to control group (CG). While no changes were observed in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. In contrast, comparing the clinical pregnant toxaemic group with control group, both aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels showed a very significant rise (P<0.01), while gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) levels revealed a substantial increase (P<0.05).
As compared to control group, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels in both subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia groups exhibited a very significant rise (P<0.01), while cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in both groups revealed a highly significant reduction (P<0.01). Even so, no discernible variations in high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) values between the groups with subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia were seen.
Total serum proteins and albumin levels revealed a very significant reduction (P<0.01) in both subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia groups compared to the control group, while globulin levels and albumin/globulin ratio (A/G ratio) had significantly decreased (P<0.05) in both subclinical and clinical pregnancy toxaemia groups in comparison with control group.