The effects of saline water consumption on the ultrasonographic and histopathological appearance of the kidney and liver in Barki sheep

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of varying degrees of water salinity on the ultrasonographical and histopathological appearance of the liver and kidneys in Barki sheep. Thirty Barki sheep (initial weight, 29.48 ± 0.81 kg) were allocated into three groups (n=10 per group) based on the type of drinking water for 9 months: the tap water (TW) group (350 ppm total dissolved solids [TDS]); the moderate saline water (MSW) group (4,557 ppm TDS); and the high saline water (HSW) group (8,934 ppm TDS). After 9 months, the body weight was significantly decreased in sheep subjected to MSW (P=0.0347) and HSW (P=0.0424). Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine were significantly increased (P<0.05) in sheep subjected to MSW and HSW. Ultrasonographic examination of the right and left kidneys revealed an increased length of both kidneys with crystal formation, particularly in male sheep. Ultrasonographic examination of the liver showed hyperechogenic dots varying in size and number between males and females. Histopathological examination of kidney revealed significant changes in both MSW and HSW groups such as hyaline matrix formation, atrophied glomerular tufts, and intramedullary congestion. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed slight fatty liver changes, slight fibrosis around the bile duct, massive inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuolar changes of hepatocytes in both MSW and HSW groups. In conclusion, water salinity negatively affects the body weight, liver and kidney appearance of Barki sheep and thus sheep production.

Keywords: histopathology; kidney; liver; sheep; ultrasonography.

Fig. 1.

Changes in body weight (kg) in Barki sheep at the experiment onset and after 9 months of saline water treatment in the TW, MSW and HSW groups.

Fig. 2.

Changes in ALT (IU/l), AST (IU/l), ALP (IU/l), urea (mg/dl) and creatinine (mg/dl), levels in serum samples of Barki sheep at the experiment onset and after 9 months of saline water treatment in the TW, MSW and HSW groups.

Fig. 3.

Ultrasonographic examination of right and left kidneys in both male and female Barki sheep at the experiment onset in the TW, MSW and HSW groups. Right kidney in male (A–C) and female (D–F) and left kidney in male (G–I) and female (J–L) Barki sheep at the experiment onset in the TW, MSW and HSW groups showed normal echogenicity without hyperechogenic dots.

Fig. 4.

Ultrasonographic examination of right and left kidneys in both male and female Barki sheep after 9 months of saline water treatment in the TW, MSW and HSW groups. Right kidney in male (A–C) and female (D–F) and left kidney in male (G–I) and female (J–L) Barki sheep after 9 months of saline water treatment in the MSW and HSW groups showed crystal formation and increased numbers of echogenic dots, particularly in male sheep compared with the TW group.

Fig. 5.

Ultrasonographic urinary bladder examination in sheep at the experiment onset and after 9 months of saline water treatment in the TW, MSW and HSW groups. At the onset, the urinary bladder in the TW, MSW and HSW groups (A–C) showed a normal, non-echogenic appearance in all groups. After 9 months of saline water treatment, the urinary bladder in the MSW and HSW groups revealed stone formation compared with the TW group (D–F).

Fig. 6.

Ultrasonographic liver examination in both male and female Barki sheep at the experiment onset and after 9 months of saline water treatment in the TW, MSW and HSW groups. At the onset, the livers in males (A–C) and females (D–F) in the TW, MSW and HSW groups showed normal echogenicity without hyperechogenic dots. After 9 months of saline water treatment, livers in males (G–I) and females (J–L) in the MSW and HSW groups showed echogenic dots that varied in size and number between males and females.