Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in serum of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and treated with selenium and copper. We used 33 lambs, divided into five groups: Group A was composed of five healthy animals (not infected). The groups B, C, D and E comprised seven animals each infected with H. contortus. Group B was not treated (positive control), group C was supplemented with sodium selenite, group D with copper and group E with both sodium selenite and copper. Blood collection was performed at days 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 post-infection (PI) for analysis of ADA activity. ADA activity reduced in the serum of animals infected with H. contortus when compared to not-infected at days 20, 40 and 60 PI. At day 80 PI, ADA activity only decreased in group B. Furthermore, during infection by H. contortus in lambs ADA activity was observed to reduced in serum. It can be concluded that supplementation with selenium and copper influenced ADA activity, directly or indirectly.
Key words: Haemonchus contortus, adenosine, copper, sodium selenite, lambs.
