Evaluation of arterial blood gases, laminin and desmosin levels in premature calves with respiratory distress

The aim of this thesis study is to evaluate the extracellular matrix components of the damaged lung, such as laminin and desmosin, together with arterial blood gases in both serum and urine samples in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is an important cause of premature calf mortality, to reveal possible correlations and to evaluate the diagnostic/diagnostic effects of the mentioned parameters, and to investigate their prognostic performance and help in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease. The Patient Group of this thesis study consisted of 22 sick Simmental calves that were brought to Harran University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Animal Hospital for diagnosis and treatment and confirmed to have both prematurity and ARDS based on clinical and laboratory examinations. Within the scope of the inclusion criteria for the Patient Group; for premature birth; gestation period<255 days, unstripped teeth and soft claws during clinical examination were accepted. For the presence of ARDS, hypoxia (PaO2<60 mm Hg), hypercapnia (PaCO2>45 mm Hg), tachypnea (respiratory rate > 45/minute) and abdominal breathing with wheezing and the presence of PaO2<60 mmHg and at least two of the clinical criteria described above were accepted to confirm the presence of ARDS. The Healthy Control Group was consisted of 10 Simmental calves which were brought to Harran University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Animal Hospital for general examination and/or control, non-premature (gestation period 279-293 days) and determined to be healthy as a result of clinical and laboratory examinations. Physical examination of all calves, arterial blood gas and venous metabolic and electrolyte parameters along with serum/urine desmosin and laminin levels were measured by using commercial ELISA kits. Arterial blood gas and venous electrolyte parameters were compatible (arterial PaCO2 level was higher in the Patient Group compared to the Control Group, arterial PaO2 and satO2 levels were higher in the Healthy Group compared to the Patient Group, and in the Patient Group venous HCO3 and lactate levels were higher than in the Control Group, and venous Na and Cl Lower in the Patient Group compared to the Control Group) with previous studies in calves with premature ARDS. In the comparison of the levels of urinary laminin and desmosine showed no statistical difference between the groups. However, serum desmosine level was higher in the Patient Group compared to the Control Group; serum laminin level was determined to be lower in the Patient Group compared to the Control Group (p<0.05). Within the scope of the findings, the high serum desmosine level of premature calves with ARDS was interpreted as hypoxia-related elastin catabolism, and the low serum laminin level was interpreted as the body's repair response to this damage occurring in the lungs may be inadequate. As a result, it was concluded that serum desmosin level could be useful in evaluating the presence of lung damage, and serum laminin level could be useful in measuring the severity of the repair response to the damage. Additionally, these two biomarkers can be used for diagnostic (desmosine) and prognostic (laminin) purposes in premature calves with ARDS, and the most suitable body fluid for this is serum.