Volume 59 (2009) Issue: 2009 No#5-6

A study on oxidative stress and complete blood count of sheep bred in the area exposed to depleted uranium (DU) ammunition

Author(s): Jović S, Aleksić Jelena, Krstić Aleksandra, Stevanović Jelka, Kovačević-Filipović Milica, Borozan Sunčica, Božić Tatjana, Popović Dragana

Keywords:sheep, depleted uranium (DU), environment, oxidative stress, peripheral blood, RBC SOD, RBC and MDA

The paper presents the results of several health status parameters of sheep bred in the area exposed to depleted uranium (DU) ammunition during NATO bombing of Serbia and Montenegro in 1999. The blood samples of sheep were collected randomly in the region of Bujanovac, in 2004. Complete blood count was performed according to standard laboratory procedures. Concentration of red blood cells malondialdehyde (RBC MDA) and activity of erythrocyte superoxid dismutase (SOD) were determined spectrophotometrically, while the functional activity of leukocytes was investigated by NBT reduction and adhesion test. The results of complete red blood cells count indicated normocytic hypochromic anaemia. The total number of leukocytes and the differential leukocytes count were within the physiological range. Although the leukocytes adhesiveness was not changed in DU exposed animals, their increased NBT reduction revealed stimulated leukocytes' oxidative burst. This finding, together with significantly increased RBC MDA concentrations, as well as the activity of RBC antioxidant SOD, point to the existence of oxidative stress. Although the results indicated that animals were under oxidative stress, still there are no conclusive data that it was due to the exposure of DU that entered the environment during military operations.