IMPACT OF AGE AND GENDER ON SOME BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY SMALL RUMINANTS OF SHEEP AND GOATS IN KASHMIR VALLEY INDIA

Abstract

Sheep is unique to the economy of the Kashmir for its wool, mutton, hides and manure. The typical extensive and trans-human (migratory) manage mental system of domestic animals in Kashmir, especially sheep and goat, gives it a specific significance to be studied. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative study to investigate the hematological and serum biochemical profile of goat and sheep reared in Kashmir valley India. Seven hundred blood samples (200 goat and 500 sheep) were collected and their blood glucose, hemoglobin and serum biochemical parameters [cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] were determined by using spectrophotometer. Parameters were compared between goat and sheep. It was observed that glucose (P = 0.002), LDH (P = 0.002) and ALT (P = 0.002) concentrations differed significantly between sheep and goats. The studied parameters were compared between buck (male goats) and goats and also between young goats (less than 12 months old) and adults (more than 12 months old). It was found that age and gender did not affect these hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Conclusions: It can be concluded that sheep have overall higher values than goats for studied hematological and serum biochemical parameters