The aim of this study was to assess the behavior of serum ALP, TRAP, and minerals in different ages and physiologic stages of the ewes life, therefore providing a dataset and information to assist in research studies focusing on BTMs in sheep.
In this study, the median ALP value was within the normal range reported for this species (68–387 U/L) [18] and the variations over the lifespan in sheep can explained by physiological changes. The interval range was wide, however, possibly due to such factors as seasonal influence, with decreased formation marker (BALP) during Autumn [16], or circadian influence, in which there is a variation of bone markers throughout the day. Because of the latter, blood samples sampling must be drawn at a standardized time [15]. Age was another influencing factor, with a higher level of ALP found in 1-month old animals, possibly due to synthesis in a variety of tissues, not only due to the bone isoenzyme [4], and high juvenile metabolism [19]. Lower levels of ALP were found in sheep over 8 years of age, possibly due to the influence of age in decreasing bone formation. In another study, Haversian remodelling in the caudal aspect of the femur, diaphysis of the radius and humerus was observed in sheep between 7 and 9 years of age [20], which justifies a link between advanced age and bone loss.
Previously reported values for P (1.62–3.36 mmol/L) and Mg (0.9–1.31 mmol/L) [18] were within the interval found in the present study, although Ca levels (2.88–3.2 mmol/L) [18] were higher in the aforementioned paper. This Ca value could be caused by a decrease in this mineral in pasture, as previously described [21]. In the referred works the lowest value of Ca was found in different samples from different grazing areas during Winter. Blood samples in the present study were drawn in the same season, however, pasture analyses were not performed which renders impossible to investigate a correlation.
In general, for serum minerals, there was a significant difference between the 1 month old group and the other groups, possibly due to the high bone modelling process that is occurring at this age. In fact, as the skeletal structure in these animals is still in growth, there is an increasing demand for Ca and P [22]. A statistical difference in serum minerals between 1-month-old and 6-months-old groups was not expected since both groups have growing animals. There was, however, a statistical difference in Ca and P between the two groups, possibly due to a change in feed, with the absence of milk and a diet based on grass and concentrate at 6 months old. The decrease in Ca in animals over 8 years of age when compared to the other groups may be associated with bone remodelling in older sheep, as has been reported [20], where the decline in Ca would thus be expected due to a decrease in bone mineralization.
During the analysis of the TRAP marker, the 1-month old animals had a higher range interval, probably related to an accelerated resorption during skeletal growth [9]. However, 6-months-old animals had a low level of this marker even though the sheep were undergoing skeletal growth, possibly because of a difference in diet, as previously mentioned. This marker showed an inversely proportional relationship with age, thus the animals with 6 to 8 years of age had lower values among all the groups. However, those over 8 years old had an increased TRAP, possibly due to osteoclastic activity [9] in geriatric animals. An explanation for this increase has not been investigated in this study in older sheep. Nevertheless, in older women, it is associated to osteoporosis [23]. Therefore, there may be an osteopenia in old animals related to an increase of this marker, but analyses of the bone, such as bone densitometry, would be necessary to prove that.
It should also be mentioned that the ideal TRAP markers to assess bone metabolism should determine the TRAP5b isoform by itself, since it has an osteoclastic origin, resulting from resorption activity, whereas the TRAP5a isoform is nonosteoclastic [24]. The occurrence of seven outliers (three in 6 months old, one in the 2 years and three in 8 years old group) in the determination of TRAP could be justified in this study by the marker being expressed in different tissues, such as muscles and heart, or pathological conditions. There are published studies in humans that correlated TRAP with leukemia and AIDS [25]. However, the present study used healthy animals and obtained normal values for the ovine species. In the present study, the values found are within the reported range of minimum value in adults and maximum values in juveniles (0,14–5,9 U/L) [11]. It is thus not possible to state which tissue was responsible for the occurrence of outliers and whether there was a pathological cause for these outliers. All TRAP variations can be explained by physiological or pathological changes as previously described.
This study presented a reasonable degree of correlation between P and Ca, previously described in sheep as being involved in bone mineralization [26]. In rats, the increase of these serum minerals were essential for mineralization of bone tissue developed in vitro [27]. The degree of correlation present between ALP and Ca is possibly caused by the role of Ca in enzymatic reactions involving ALP, a correlation which has been previously described [3, 12].
With regard to the three groups of 3- to 5-year old sheep in different physiologic stages, only the pregnant group showed values that were considerably lower than the dry and lactation groups for ALP analyses. A similar increase of ALP throughout pregnancy has been previously described [28]. However, Liesegang et al. (2006) [29] used the BALP isoform and obtained a decrease of the marker during gestation. Therefore, when the animals become pregnant, there is a significant reduction of ALP, which then increases between gestation and lactation, and is slightly decreased in dry sheep [28]. In this study, the same marker variation was observed among the three described physiologic states, as has been previously described. However, during the analysis of TRAP, the lactating group showed lower values when compared to the dry ones. This could be due to the abrupt drop in bone resorption during the 2 to 3 months of lactation, with values going back to basal values in dry animals. Another greatly important factor would be that the maximum peak of TRAP would occur closer to parturition, as described [28].