Received: September 14, 2006.

Accepted: October 31, 2006.

Abstract published online: November 6, 2006.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2006.

LABORATORY EVALUATION OF YOUNG OVINES INOCULATED WITH NATURAL OR 60CO-IRRADIATED Crotalus durissus terrificus VENOM DURING HYPERIMMUNIZATION PROCESS

FERREIRA JUNIOR R. S. (1, 2), NASCIMENTO N. (3), COUTO R. (4), ALVES J. B. (3), MEIRA D. A. (1), BARRAVIERA B. (1, 2)

(1) Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; (2) Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals, CEVAP, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; (3) Radiobiology Supervision - Nuclear Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN/SP), São Paulo, Brazil; (4) Clinical Laboratory of Veterinary, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Laboratory profile of young ovines was studied in order to evaluate and compare their antiserum production from natural and Cobalt-60 irradiated Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) venoms. The parameters analyzed included complete blood count, and urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, total proteins, albumin and globulin serum measurements. Three groups of six animals each were used. Group 1 (G1) received natural C.d.t. venom; Group 2 (G2) received irradiated C.d.t. venom; and Group 3 (G3) was used as control and did not receive venom, only adjuvants, using seven venom inoculations. During the experimental period, animals were fortnightly weighed. According to clinical and weight evaluation, sheep in post-weaning phase showed no changes in their physiological profiles but had excellent weight gain. The parameters analyzed were not statistically different (p<5%) among the groups tested. The hyperimmunization process was successfully accomplished with the production of specific antibodies against Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Results bring a new possibility of utilizing ovines in the commercial production of anticrotalic serum, which may be used to treat human and animal envenomation. Its production cost may be reduced by subsequent use of hyperimmunized sheep for human consumption.

KEY WORDS: Crotalus durissus terrificus, hyperimmunization, ovines, antivenom, irradiation.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

RUI SEABRA FERREIRA JÚNIOR, Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos – CEVAP/UNESP, Caixa Postal 577, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Email: rseabra@cevap.org.br.