Investigations on serum vitamin C levels in some infection diseases of cattles

84 7. SUMMARY In this study, to determine if there is a need of using ascorbic acid in the medical treatment of Theileriosis, Malignant Catarrhal Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease by measuring the vitamin C levels and to find out the relation between the lack of vitamin C and patachie and echymose hemorrhages were investigated. A total number of 80 cows allocating 20 healthy cows (Control group) and 60 sick cows (20 cows with Theileriosis (Th group), 20 cows with Malignant Catarrhal Fever (CGB group), 20 cows with Foot and Mouth Diesase (Şap group)) were used. The diagnosis of Theileriosis was determined by the examination of the blood samples coloured wiht Giemsa and the diagnosis of cows in CGB and Şap groups was determined through clinical examination findings. All the animals used in the study were systematically and clinically examined and blood samples were obtained from animals for the laboratory analysis. In the laboratory analysis; red and white blood cell counts were detected using Thoma microslides, packed cell volume were measured by microhematocrit metod, hemoglobin value by Sahli metod, thrombocyte counts by Coulter Max M mark Cell Counter, bleeding time by Duke metod, coagulation time by microslides metod. Partial thromboplastin time were determined by detecting clotin time after addition of CaCb and cephalin to plasma. Serum vitamin C levels were measured by phosphotungustic acid metod in Schimadzu UV - 1208, UV - VIS Spectrophotometer. Average body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and number of the rumen concentrations of animals in control group were 38.70 °C, 77.20 / min., 25.20 / min. and 8.75 / 5 min. respectively, whereas in Th group cows, these values were found to be 40.21 °C, 82.65 / min., 32.80 / min. and 4.36 / 5 min.; in the CGB group cows were found 39.81 °C, 81.10 / min., 26.60 / min and 3.60 / 5 min., on the other hand in Şap group cows 39.58 °C, 84.20 / min., 26.80 / min. and 4.25 / 5 min. respectively. Average body temperature and number of the rumen concentrations in three groups of sick animals was decreased compared to healthy animals (p<0.001), and respiration rate was decreased compared to healty animals85 (p<0.01). Although no significant differences (p>0.05) were found between the groups in terms of pulse rate. Average red and white blood cell counts, packed cell volume, hemoglobin value, thrombocyte counts, bleeding time, coagulation time and partial thromboplastin time in healty animals were 6.32 million / mm3, 7.36 thousand / mm3, 31.00 %, 10.64 % gr, 281.35 thousand / mm3, 4.57 min., 4.32 min. ve 53.10 seconds; whereas in Th group cows, these values were found to be 3.97 million / mm3, 6.49 thousand / mm3, % 19.80, % 6.76 gr, 192.20 thousand / mm3, 8.05 min., 6.40 min. and 43.00 seconds; in CGB group cows were found 6.04 million / mm3, 6.21 thousand / mm3, 30.15 %, 10.34 % gr, 358.15 thousand / mm3, 7.07 min., 5.82 min. and 46.45 seconds, on the other Şap group cows 5.46 million / mm3, 6.95 thousand / mm3, 28.40 %, 9.66 % gr, 431.90 thousand / mm3, 6.60 min., 5.37 min. ve 44.60 seconds respectively. Serum vitamin C levels in control, Th, CGB and Şap groups were found to be 0.60 mg / dl, 0.43 mg / dl, 0.42 mg / dl and 0.40 mg / dl respectively. The differences of average red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, hemoglobin value, thrombocyte counts, bleeding time, partial thromboplastin time and serum vitamin C levels were found to be significant (p<0.001 ) between groups and also a significant difference between the groups were found in terms of average coagulation time (p<0.01). Although no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of white blood cell counts (p>0.05). As a result, because of the low serum vitamin C levels of the ani.mals in Th, CGB and Şap groups, the to administration of vitamin C was suggested to be useful with classical treatment. Although it is thought that the administration of vitamin C can decrease the tendency of bleeding and hemorrhages, it will be useful to make more detailed studies.