We determined the levels of the cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-10 in fifteen lambs during the first month of life. The correlation between these cytokines and serum protein fractions was studied. In addition, the concentration of these cytokines in fourteen lambs with diarrhea was determined. IFN-γ (73.85±121 pg/ml) peaked at day 1, IL-6 (7910±2329 pg/ml) and IL-1β (5234±2461 pg/ml) peaked at day 4, and IL-10 (63.4±5.2 pg/ml), peaked at day 28. At day 11 the highest correlation between IL-6 and IL-1β was identified. An increase (P<0.01) in IL-1β concentration was detected in diarrheic lambs. There was a positive correlation between IL-6, IL-1β and total protein levels in sick lambs and also between IL-6 and total globulins and IL-1β and total globulins. These results indicate that with the exception of IL-10, cytokine concentrations in healthy lambs follow time-dependent evolution. The higher concentration of IL-1β detected in diarrheic lambs could be used as are reliable inflammatory marker in ovine pathology. Further work is required to understand the role of cytokines in both physiological and pathological processes.

Key words: Anti-inflammatory, Cytokines, Diarrhea, Healthy lambs, Pro-inflammatory