title: Peritoneal fluid analysis in adult, nonpregnant Awassi sheep.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To the authors' knowledge, there is no information in the literature about normal peritoneal fluid values in ovine species.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study reported here was to establish reference intervals for peritoneal fluid from clinically normal Awassi sheep and to compare the values to those in blood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were collected into tubes containing EDTA, from 40 clinically healthy, nonpregnant, female Awassi sheep, aged 2 to 7 years. Total nucleated cell count (TNCC) was determined using an electronic cell counter. Total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, and glucose concentrations and aspartate transaminase activity were analyzed using commercially available kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TNCC (mean +/- SD) of peritoneal fluid was 1.1 +/- 0.87 X 10(3)/microl, with neutrophils (3.9%), lymphocytes (33.5%), macrophages/monocytes (61.2%), and eosinophils (1.4%). Biochemical results in peritoneal fluid were: total protein, 1.7 +/- 0.74 g/dL; albumin, 1.0 +/- 0.04 g/dL; urea, 12.6 +/- 3.95 mg/dL; creatinine, 0.6 +/- 0.19 mg/dL; glucose, 54.8 +/- 6.11 mg/dL; and aspartate transaminase, 23.5 +/- 8.82 U/L. Eosinophil percentage and creatinine concentration did not differ significantly from blood values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Baseline values for cytologic and biochemical parameters in peritoneal fluid of Awassi sheep, with comparison to blood, have been generated. Such data may be applicable to other ovine species and can be used in the clinical investigation of ovine abdominal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan 22110. ralrukib@just.edu.jo
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Al-Rukibat
authors.forename: Za Bani
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Al-Majali
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Al-Zghoul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D012016:Reference Values; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*