Diverse biological parameters in clinically healthy sheep from a flock with scrapie: variations, and correlations with OLA antigens.

A comparison was made in the blood levels of various cell types and biochemical substances and in lymphocyte antigens between 107 healthy sheep from a flock contaminated with scrapie (HC sheep) and 93 sheep from a noncontaminated flock (NC sheep), which served as a control population. Significant differences between the two groups of sheep were found in some of the levels, as had previously been found with lymphocyte antigens. The HC sheep, which included genetically resistant animals, could be distinguished from the NC sheep by their lower levels of various white cells, a noticeable decrease in urea, a moderate decrease in Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions, beta- and gamma-globulins, serotonin and vitamin B12, a strong increase in uric acid and a moderate increase in K+, Cl-, HCO3-, Zn2+, and Al3+ ions, as well as in total lipids and in the albumin to globulin ratio. In this HC population, the only enzyme with an increased level was aldolase; the levels of the other 7 enzymes measured were lowered. The observed modifications were considered to be signs of latent disturbances in the leukocyte system and in hepatic and renal functions, in spite of apparent resistance. Eleven lymphocyte antigens were studied. These antigens are not independent of the blood levels of the various substances measured, but are often correlated in a statistically significant manner with some of them. In the HC sheep, the lymphocyte antigens correlated with the modified levels in the blood were different from those in the control population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)