Effects of transportation induced stress in electrocardiography data and blood parameters in Kangal Akkaraman sheep breed

The objective was to investigate the stress effects induced by transportation in blood parameters and in electrocardiography data in Kangal Akkaraman sheep breed. Clinically healthy 36 Kangal Akkaraman sheep were used in the study. Electrocardiography data from the sheep were obtained by holder device during the resting period, and during 30 minute and 120 minute transportation periods. Blood parameters were determined from serum samples obtained during resting period, and after 30 minute and 120 minute transportations. Statistical evaluations were conducted by using Paired Samples t-Test. For each intergroup evaluation, significant differences were observed in the durations both PR to QT interval and P-wave, in the amplitude of P-wave, in heart pulse count per minute, and in glucose levels in serum samples. Significant differences were obtained for durations of both the QRS complex and T-wave in groups of resting and 30 min transportation, and of 30 min transportation and 120 min transportation. Significant differences were obtained for serum total protein, albumin, and creatinine levels in groups of resting and 120 min transportation, and 30 min transportation and 120 min transportation. No significant difference was obtained for serum blood urea nitrogen levels between study groups. This study is the first in literature where the effects of transportation induced stress in electrocardiography data and blood parameters in Kangal Akkaraman breed sheep were investigated