Impact of Acute Blood Loss on Clinical, Hematological, Biochemical, and Oxidative Stress Variables in Sheep.

Blood loss in sheep can have different causes and may result in anemia. We aimed to evaluate the clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations and the oxidative stress generated by acute blood loss. Eighteen healthy sheep underwent phlebotomy to remove 40% of the blood volume and were evaluated clinically and by laboratory tests for clinical, biochemical, and blood gas variables and to assess oxidative stress before induction (T0), 30 min (T30 min), and 6 (T6 h), 12 (T12 h), and 24 h (T24 h) after blood loss. The sheep showed tachycardia from T30 min until T24 h, reduction in the hematocrit, number of erythrocytes, and hemoglobin concentration, with lower values at T24 h and increase in the number of leukocytes from T12 h on. There was a reduction in blood pH and oxygen pressure at T30 min, increased lactate concentration and reduced blood bicarbonate at this time. There was an increase in urea concentration from T6 h until the end of the study, with no change in creatinine levels. The animals did not show changes in the concentration of malonaldehyde, and in the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, but there was a reduction in the concentration of reduced glutathione at T24 h. The acute loss of 40% of blood volume is capable of promoting relevant clinical, hematological, blood gas, and biochemical alterations, and contributed to the appearance of oxidative stress with reduced glutathione concentration, suggesting that this process generated free radicals in sufficient quantity to diminish the action of antioxidants.

Fish tissues for biomonitoring toxic and essential trace elements in the Lower Amazon.

Brazilian soils can have high concentrations of toxic elements, mainly mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As), metals also associated with anthropogenic activities (e.g. intensive agriculture, mining, deforestation and hydroelectric plants). This can lead to large amounts of these elements reaching and/or being mobilized in the aquatic ecosystem, which constitutes a serious threat to the environment and to the health of local populations. Thus, we evaluate the feasibility of analyzing the tissues of freshwater fish species for monitoring toxic and trace element accumulation within the aquatic ecosystem in the Lower Amazon, Brazil. Two fish species were considered: Cichla temensis (Tucunaré), a carnivorous species, and Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Acari), a detritivorous species. Samples of liver and muscle from both species were evaluated in relation to their potential use for biomonitoring purposes. The study findings clearly demonstrate the value these fish species and tissues, particularly liver, for biomonitoring toxic and trace element concentrations in the aquatic environment across the study region. While Tucunaré liver proved the best option for biomonitoring elements that accumulate through the food chain (e.g. Hg), Acari liver better reflected elements that typically accumulate in the sediments (e.g. As). Moreover, the trace element profiles, determined using chemometric (multivariate) techniques, differed greatly in specimens from waters in the Andean mountain range (sampling sites located in the main course of the Amazon River) with high sediment concentrations, and in specimens from the Guyana and Brazilian shields (Porto Trombetas on the Trombetas River and Itaituba on the Tapajós River). The findings also indicate that deposition of elements in freshwater fish in this area is mainly associated with the geological origin of the soils and that large amounts of toxic elements can reach the aquatic ecosystem due to anthropogenic activities, thereby posing a serious danger to the environment and the health of the riverside communities.

Biochemical and blood gas alterations in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) whole blood stored in CPDA-1 and CPD/SAG-M bags.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and blood gas alterations of whole blood of buffaloes that was stored in citrate-phosphate-dextrose with adenine (CPDA-1) and CPD/SAG-M blood bags for 42 days. DESIGN: Prospective study. INTERVENTIONS: Ten male buffaloes were used in this study. A total volume of 900 mL of blood was collected from each buffalo so that 450 mL was stored in CPDA-1 and 450 mL was stored in CPD/SAG-M bags at 2-6°C for 42 days. The stored blood was evaluated at 7 time points (D): D0 (immediately after blood collection) and 7 (D7), 14 (D14), 21 (D21), 28 (D28), 35 (D35), and 42 (D42) days after collection. Blood gas, biochemical, and microbiological parameters were monitored. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The overall blood pH decreased from 6.997 ± 0.05 at D0 to 6.784 ± 0.09 at D42, differing from baseline from D14 onward (P < 0.05). There were increases in partial pressure of oxygen (pO2 ), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2 ), lactate, and potassium (K) and decreases in the concentrations of sodium, bicarbonate, glucose, and pH (P < 0.05) during storage in both bags but no alterations in total protein concentration. Most of the variables were consistently similar between the 2 types of blood bags (P > 0.05) evaluated, with the exception of pCO2 , HCO3, cholesterol, and total protein, which had higher values in the CPDA-1 bag (P < 0.05). The K, pO2 , and lactate had the highest alterations during storage, with increases from baseline to D42 of 563%, 317%, and 169%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In general, no significant changes of clinical importance were observed after storage of whole blood samples from buffaloes for 42 days in the 2 types of blood bags that are indicated for use with this species.

Subacute Ruminal Acidosis in Zebu Cattle: Clinical and Behavioral Aspects.

We evaluated the clinical aspects and feeding behavior of cattle with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) caused by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Ten healthy Nelore heifers were subjected to an adjusted SARA induction protocol using citrus pulp (CP). Clinical examinations were performed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 h intervals after induction, with ruminal fluid, blood, and feces sampling. The animals' feeding behavior was evaluated on, before, and for 3 days after SARA by observing the animals every 5 min for 24 h. The dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded daily. The ruminal pH during SARA was always lower than baseline, with an acidotic duration of 547 ± 215 min, a minimum pH of 5.38 ± 0.16, and an average pH of 5.62 ± 0.1. SARA was mainly caused by SCFAs (maximum 118.4 ± 9.3 mmol/L), with the production of l-lactic acids (7.17 mmol/L) and d-lactic acids (0.56 mmol/L) 6 h after the experiment began. The DMI was reduced by 66% and 48% on days 1 and 2, respectively, and returned to normal levels on day 3. SARA caused a reduction in feed intake and rumination time, as well as an increase in the time spent in decubitus on days 1 and 2. These results were influenced by the ruminal pH, ruminal movement, and osmolarity. Furthermore, SARA caused different degrees of depression, which became more pronounced with higher ruminal lactic acid concentrations.

Evaluation of infrared thermography, force platform and filmed locomotion score as non-invasive diagnostic methods for acute laminitis in zebu cattle.

This study aimed to characterize oligofructose-induced laminitis in zebu cattle and comparatively evaluate four different diagnostic methods for laminitis. A total of 29 rumen-cannulated Nelore heifers, weighing 474.5 ± 58.5 kg were used. Laminitis was experimentally induced by intraruminal administration of 0.765 g/kg oligofructose twice daily for three consecutive days, followed by a single dose of 10.71 g/kg oligofructose on the fourth day. The animals were evaluated before administration of the highest dose of oligofructose (basal) and every six hours for up to 24 hours (6, 12, 18, 24 hours) and thereafter, every 12 hours for up to 72 hours (36, 48, 60, 72 hours) post-induction. The following diagnostic methods were used: hoof pain sensitivity test (hoof-testing), locomotion scoring, hoof infrared thermography, and force platform. Diagnosis of laminitis was confirmed after two positive responses to hoof pressure testing. Using a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, we defined the appropriate cut-off for infrared thermography and force plate as 30 °C and < 24%, respectively. From the 29 heifers, 27 developed laminitis (93.1%) which occurred between 24 h to 72 h in the digits from two limbs, with more frequent sensitivity in the lateral digits. Locomotion analysis detected twenty-eight heifers with laminitis and showed that a greater (P = 0.006) number of animals had lameness in two limbs (n = 13; 56%). Using hoof-testing as gold standard for the diagnosis of laminitis the locomotion score displayed 100% sensitivity, 97% specificity and 98% accuracy; infrared thermography showed 96% sensitivity, 63% specificity, and 75% accuracy whilst force plate had 76% sensitivity, 82% specificity and 79% accuracy. This suggests that, for the diagnosis of laminitis in cattle, pain evaluation is more efficient. Considering the difficult to evaluate pain sensitivity in Nelore animals, filmed locomotion score, infrared thermography and force plate methods can be indicated for non-invasive lameness detection in beef farms.

Toxic and essential trace element concentrations in fish species in the Lower Amazon, Brazil.

The Lower Amazon region (Western Pará, northern Brazil) is greatly affected by mining exploitations (particularly artisanal gold mines) and other industrial and intensive agricultural activities with potentially strong impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Although such impacts include contamination with various toxic elements, to date only the effects of Hg have been considered. In this study, toxic and trace element concentrations were determined in the flesh of 351 fish specimens, including detritivores (Acarí, Pterygoplichthys pardalis), omnivores (Piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri; Pirarucu, Arapaima sp.) and carnivores (Caparari, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum; Tucunaré, Cichla ocellaris), during the dry and wet seasons in 2015 and 2016. The range of concentrations of toxic element residues were 2-238 µg/kg fresh weight for As, 1-77 µg/kg for Cd, 4-1922 µg/kg for Hg and 1-30 µg/kg for Pb. Only the maximum concentrations of Hg established in the Brazilian legislation for fish destined for human consumption (0.5 mg/kg) were exceeded (in 16% of carnivorous species). The large between-species and seasonal differences observed for all these toxic elements are probably related to the seasonal behaviour and dietary habits of the different fish species. By contrast, essential trace element concentrations were low and not related to seasonal or dietary factors, and the observed differences may be at least partly related to the metabolism of each species. The associations between Hg and the essential trace elements Se, Fe, Co and Mn deserve special attention, as these trace elements may play a role in Hg cycling and methylation and merit further evaluation with the aim of reducing Hg toxicity in aquatic environments.

Validation of a handheld ß-hydroxybutyrate acid meter to identify hyperketonaemia in ewes.

BACKGROUND: The end of pregnancy is the period with the highest risk of occurrences of ketosis and pregnancy toxemia due to fat mobilization and increasing non-esterified fatty acids in the liver which are converted in ketone bodies, mainly ß-hydroxybutyrate acid (BHB). This ketone body may also become elevated in the bloodstream. The present study validates the use of a handheld meter for determining the blood concentration of BHB and ascertaining the predictive value and accuracy of BHB measurements in diagnosing hyperketonaemia in ewes. METHODS: A total of 19, non-pregnant, crossbred ewes were subjected to 2 h of intravenous infusion of a saturated BHB solution. Over 6 h of evaluation, 247 blood samples were obtained in 13 sampling moments. The BHB concentration was measured by an enzymatic colorimetric method in an automated biochemical analyzer (gold-standard) and by a handheld meter using an electrochemical enzyme technique. RESULTS: There was a high correlation between both methods (r = 0.98; P < 0.001). Considering the blood BHB concentrations range 0.8-1.6 mmol/L for moderate ketosis the handheld meter presented sensitivity and specificity of 0.98 and 0.81, respectively. For severe ketosis (BHB ≥ 1.6 mmol/L) sensitivity and specificity were 0.99 and 0.75, respectively. Thus, the handheld device can be useful for diagnoses of cases of mild or severe pregnancy toxemia at field conditions.

Characterization of Oligofructose-Induced Acute Rumen Lactic Acidosis and the Appearance of Laminitis in Zebu Cattle.

The objective of this study was to characterize oligofructose-induced acute rumen lactic acidosis and its consequences in zebu cattle. We used 29 Nellore heifers which were submitted to experimental induction of laminitis by oligofructose excess. During the induction period, the animals underwent clinical examination, including laminitis diagnosis (hoof pressure testing and locomotion score) and blood and ruminal fluid sampling every six hours (over the initial 24 h) and every 12 h (up to 72 h), after the highest dose. Almost half of the animals (48.1%) required treatment with bicarbonate and saline to correct metabolic acidosis and dehydration. Due to this treatment, the animals were analyzed in treated (n = 13) and non-treated (n = 14) groups. The induction model promoted marked reduction in rumen pH, rumen anaerobiosis, carbon dioxide pressure, and increase in rumen lactate, blood osmolarity, and cortisol concentration. The animals treated had lower values of rumen pH and marked dehydration, evidenced by the increase in globular volume and serum urea. The clinical condition caused by excess oligofructose is severe, with the differential of the appearance of ephemeral fever and respiratory compensation against systemic acidosis, in addition to the frequent appearance of laminitis.

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids of Western Pará, Brazil.

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids raised for distinct purposes in the western state of Pará, Brazil, and to identify potential risk factors associated with parasite infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted with cluster sampling in 101 farms from 18 municipalities (farm horses). In visited municipalities, samples from sport and cart horses were included. Serum was obtained for detecting antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. using indirect fluorescent antibody test, with a cut-off point of 1:64 and 1:50, respectively. Association analysis, using the chi-square test, was performed to evaluate possible risk factors related to the prevalence of antibodies. A total of 1298 equids were sampled (947 farm, 240 sport, and 111 cart horses), including 1244 horses, 2 donkeys, and 52 mules. The number of equids sampled per property ranged from 1 to 49. Of the total examined, 134 (10.3%) had antibodies against T. gondii, and of the 18 municipalities visited, 11 (61%) had at least one positive animal. Seventy-three of the 1298 equids (5.62%) from 44% of the municipalities tested positive for Neospora spp. The type of the animal (farm, sport, or carthorse) was not associated with the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii; however, antibodies against Neospora spp. was more prevalent in carthorses (P = 0.001) (13.5%) than in farm (5.0%) and sport (4.6%) horses. Breed of the horse and the presence of cats were risk factors for the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, and presence of dogs was a risk factor for the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. This is the first report of seropositive equids for T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the state of Pará contributing to the knowledge on epidemiology of the two parasites.

Hematological, biochemical, and blood gas alterations of goat whole blood stored in CPDA-1 and CPD/SAG-M plastic bags / Avaliação dos parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e hemogasométricos do sangue caprino armazenado em bolsas CPDA-1 e CPD/SAG-M

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, and blood gas alterations of goat whole blood stored in different blood bags. Seven male, adult, crossbreed goats were used, weighing 62±1.8 kg. Nine hundred milliliters of whole blood from each animal was collected and stored in blood bags (450 ml in each), CPDA-1 (citrate phosphate dextrose-adenine) and CPD/SAG-M (citrate phosphate dextrose with saline-glucose-mannitol) as additive solutions, and kept refrigerated (2-4 ºC) for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from the plastic bags at baseline (T0) and after seven, 14, 21,28, 35, and 42 days for hematological, biochemical, blood gas, and microbiological evaluations. Free hemoglobin, degree of hemolysis, lactate, and pO2were increased in both bags, whereas hydrogen potential (pH) and the total hemoglobin concentration decreased overtime(P<0.05). The red blood cell count, glucose, sodium, and potassium remained stable, compared to the baseline. The CPD/SAG-M bag presented a lower red cell count, globular volume, total hemoglobin, and sodium, and a higher degree of hemolysis and plasma hemoglobin, compared with the CPDA-1 bag. The whole goat blood remained viable for therapeutic use; although, there were some important changes in the variables of the 42-day stored blood in relation to fresh blood (T0). We concluded that the CPDA-1 bag is more suitable for use in the storage of goat blood because of its lower commercial value.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as alterações hematológicas, bioquímicas e hemogasométricas do sangue total de caprinos armazenado em diferentes bolsas de sangue. Foram utilizados sete caprinos machos, adultos, sem raça definida, pesando 62±1,8kg. Coletou-se 900 mL de sangue total de cada animal, em duas bolsas plásticas tipos CPDA-1 (citrato-fosfato-dextrose-adenina) e CPD/SAG-M (citrato-fosfato-dextrose com solução aditiva de salina-glicose-manitol), armazenadas sob refrigeração (2-4 °C) durante 42 dias. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas das bolsas no início do estudo (T0) e depois de sete, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias, para realização de análises hematológicas, bioquímicas, hemogasométricas e microbiológicas. Nas duas bolsas houve aumento da concentração de hemoglobina plasmática, grau de hemólise, lactato, pO2 e redução de hemoglobina total e pH (p<0,05), porém não houve variação no número de hemácias, glicose, sódio e potássio quando comparado ao momento basal (T0). A bolsa CPD/SAG-M apresentou menor número de hemácias, volume globular, concentração de hemoglobina total e sódio, e maiores valores de grau de hemólise e hemoglobina plasmática em relação a bolsa CPDA-1 (P<0,05). Apesar de serem constatadas alterações em importantes variáveis do sangue caprino armazenado durante 42 dias em relação ao sangue fresco (T0), o sangue total caprino permaneceu viável para uso terapêutico. A análise comparativa entre os dois tipos de bolsa revelou uma similaridade de resultados para a grande maioria das variáveis estudadas, portanto a bolsa CPDA-1 pode ser considerada a mais indicada para uso na espécie caprina exclusivamente devido ao seu menor valor comercial.

Dietary Zinc Supplementation to Prevent Chronic Copper Poisoning in Sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether zinc (Zn) supplementation protects against hepatic copper (Cu) accumulation in copper-loaded sheep. Forty cross-bred lambs were assigned to five experimental groups. These included the control group (C) and four treatment groups that received Cu and/or Zn supplementation (dry matter (DM) basis) over 14 weeks, as follows: Cu (450 mg Cu/kg); Zn-35 (450 mg Cu + 35 mg Zn/kg); Zn-150 (450 mg Cu + 150 mg Zn/kg); and Zn-300 (450 mg Cu + 300 mg Zn/kg). Blood, liver, and bile samples were obtained for mineral determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP⁻OES). The hepatic metallothionein (MT) concentrations were also determined. At the end of the experiment, hepatic Cu concentrations were higher in all Cu-supplemented groups than in C. Hepatic Cu accumulation was lower in the groups receiving the Zn supplementation than in the Cu group, although the difference was only statistically significant (66%) in the Zn-300 group. The MT concentrations tended to be higher (almost two-fold) in the Zn groups (but were not dose related) than in the C and Cu groups, and they were related to hepatic Zn concentrations. Zn supplementation at 300 mg/kg DM is useful for preventing excessive hepatic Cu accumulation in sheep exposed to high dietary concentrations of Cu.

Comparative assessment of probiotics and monensin in the prophylaxis of acute ruminal lactic acidosis in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Acute ruminal lactic acidosis (ARLA) is a major nutritional and metabolic disorder usually characterized by excessive or non-adapted intake of diets rich in nonstructural carbohydrates. Feed additives that regulate the ruminal environment have been used to prevent ARLA, such as ionophores and, more recently, yeast culture. Thus, we aimed to compare the efficacy of a yeast-based culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with that of monensin sodium in the prevention of ARLA in sheep. Eighteen male, crossbred, rumen-cannulated sheep were randomly distributed into three groups of six animals: control, yeast culture and monensin. Thirty days after the start of supplementation with yeast culture (4 × 109 cfu/animal/day of S. cerevisiae) and monensin (33 mg/kg of total dry matter intake), 15 g/kg BW of sucrose was administered directly into the rumen of the animals to induce ARLA. Samples of blood and ruminal fluid were collected at the following time points: at baseline (T0 h) immediately before the induction of ARLA; 6 h (T6 h); 12 h (T12 h); 18 h (T18 h); 24 h (T24 h); 36 h (T36 h); and 48 h (T48 h) after ARLA induction. RESULTS: Ruminal pH was higher in monensin group at T12 h and in yeast culture group at T36 h when compared to control group. Lower values of L-Lactate were found at yeast culture group at T24 h and T36 h. Monensin showed prophylactic effect by decreasing the rate of ruminal pH decline and occasionally reducing ruminal acidosis, whereas probiotics resulted in less accumulation of lactic acid in the rumen and a lower degree of systemic acidosis. CONCLUSION: The use of yeast culture can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of ARLA in sheep, because it can effectively reduce the accumulation of lactic acid, and thereby increase ruminal pH and reduce ruminal osmolarity. On the other hand, monensin showed prophylactic effect by decreasing the rate of ruminal pH decline and occasionally reducing ruminal acidosis, however, it did not directly prevent these conditions.

Clinical response and transfusion reactions of sheep subjected to single homologous blood transfusion.

Studies in relation to blood conservation and responses to transfusion are scarce for ruminants. We evaluated the clinical manifestations of sheep that received a single homologous transfusion of whole blood, focusing on transfusion reactions. Eighteen adult sheep were subjected to a single phlebotomy to withdraw 40% of the total blood volume, which was placed into CPDA-1 bags and then divided into G0, animals that received fresh blood, and G15 and G35, animals that received blood stored for 15 or 35 days, respectively. Clinical observations were recorded throughout the transfusion, whereas heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were assessed at the following times: 24 hours after phlebotomy and before transfusion; 30 minutes, six, twelve, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours and eight and 16 days after transfusion. All groups presented transfusion reactions, among which hyperthermia was the most frequent (50% of animals). Tachycardia occurred most frequently in the G35 animals (50% of them). During transfusion G35 animals presented more clinical manifestation (P < 0.05). Transfusion of fresh or stored total blood improved the blood volume, but transfusion reactions occurred, demonstrating that a single transfusion of fresh or stored blood can cause inflammatory and febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions in sheep.

Influência de diferentes dietas com alto teor de concentrados sobre parâmetros ruminais, bioquímicos e urinários de ovinos / Effects of different diets with high content of concentrates on ruminal, biochemical and urinary parameters of sheep

Oito ovinos, da raça Santa Inês, receberam dieta controle (C) (80% de feno de capim coast-cross e 20% de concentrado comercial) e em seguida foram submetidos a experimento em quadrado latino com dietas contendo 30% desse feno e 70% dos concentrados: polpa cítrica peletizada (PCP); polpa cítrica farelada (PCF); fubá de milho (FM) e farelo de trigo (FT). Depois de 21 dias de adaptação às dietas, foi realizada monitoração visual por 24 h. No dia subsequente à observa-ção, na terceira hora após a alimentação, foram coletadas amostras de conteúdo ruminal, urina e sangue. No conteúdo ruminal foi determinado o pH, nas amostras de urina foram efetuadas análises de pH, ureia, fósforo, creatinina e exame de sedimento, e no sangue foram realizadas determinações séricas de ureia, fósforo e creatinina. Foram calculados o indice de excreção urinária (IEUP) e a taxa de excreção fracional (TEFP) de fósforo. Os dados foram avaliados por análise de variância e Teste de Tukey ou Mann-Whitney. Foi realizada a análise de correlação entre pares de variáveis. Tanto a PCP como a PCF estimularam significativamente a ruminação semelhante ao grupo controle, e com maior rempo que o FM (P<5,05). Maiores concentrações de P sérico, IEUP e TEFP foram encontradas na dieta FT (P<5,05). Quanto maiores os teores de P sérico maior o IEUP (r-0,78). Quanto maior o tempo devotado à ruminação menor foi o fósforo sanguineo (r=0,62). A maior ruminação diminuiu os teores de fósforo sérico e sua excreção urinária, diminuindo assim a predisposição à urolitíase em ovinos.

Eight adult Santa Inês sheep received a control diet (C) (80% of coast-cross hay and 20% of commercial feed) and then they were submitted to a Latin square experiment with diets containing 30% of hay and 70% of the following concentrates: pelleted citrus pulp (PCP), citrus pulp meal (PCF), cornmeal (FM) or wheat bran (FT). After 21 days of adaptation to the diets visual monitoring was performed for 24 h. On the day after the visual observation samples of rumen content, urine and blood were taken at the 3rd hour after feeding. Rumen content was analyzed for pH; urine samples were analyzed for pH, urea, phosphorus, creatinine and sediment examination. Blood samples were used for serum determinations of urea, creatinine and phosphorus. The index of urinary excretion of phosphorus (IEUP) and fractional excretion rate of phosphorus (TEFP) were calculated. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey test or Mann-Whitney test. Pearson correlation analysis was made to compare variables. Both the PCP and PCF significantly stimulated rumination, similar to the control group, being higher when compared with the FM diet. Increased concentrations of serum P, IEUP and TEFP were found in the FT diet (P < 0.05). The higher the serum levels of P, the higher the P excretion in the urine (r = 0.78). The higher the time devoted to rumination, the lower the serum P concentrations (r2 = 0.62). The increased rumination decreased the serum P and its urinary excretion, reducing the predisposition to urolithiasis in sheep.