Received: August 24, 2006.

Accepted: November 7, 2006.

Abstract published online: November 27, 2006.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2007.

BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL STUDY OF GOATS ENVENOMED WITH NATURAL AND 60Co-IRRADIATED BOTHROPIC VENOM

LUCAS DE OLIVEIRA P. C. (1), SAKATE M. (2, 3), MADRUGA R. A. (1),

BARBOSA N. P.U. (1)

(1) Veterinary Hospital, Uberaba School of Veterinary Medicine, UNIUBE, Uberaba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil; (2) Veterinary Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (3) Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals, CEVAP, UNESP, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Venoms from snakes of the Bothrops genus are proteolytic, coagulant, hemorrhagic and nephrotoxic, causing edema, necrosis, hemorrhage and intense pain at the bite site, besides systemic alterations. Many adjuvants have been added to the venom used in the sensitization of antiserum-producer animals to increase antigenic induction and reduce the envenomation pathological effects. Gamma radiation from 60Co has been used as an attenuating agent of the venoms toxic properties. The main objective was to study, comparatively, clinical and laboratory aspects of goats inoculated with bothropic (Bothrops jararaca) venom, natural and irradiated from a 60Co source. Twelve goats were divided into two groups of six animals: GINV, inoculated with 0.5mg/kg of natural venom; and GIIV, inoculated with 0.5mg/kg of irradiated venom. Blood samples were collected immediately before and one, two, seven, and thirty days after venom injection. Local lesions were daily evaluated. The following exams were carried out: blood tests; biochemical tests of urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and alanine amino-transferase (ALT); clotting time; platelets count; and total serum immunoglobulin measurement. In the conditions of the present experiment, irradiated venom was less aggressive and more immunogenic than natural venom.

FINANCIAL SOURCE: grants from University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), Brazil.

KEY WORDS: radiation, Bothrops jararaca, cobalt, goats.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

PEDRO CARLOS LUCAS DE OLIVEIRA, Rua Bahia, 870, 38050-130, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Email: pedrolucaso@uol.com.br.