SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILE OF NIGERIAN HORSES (EQUUS CABALLUS, LINNAEUS 1758)

Abstract

This study evaluated the serum biochemistry profile of apparently healthy Nigerian horses and determined the influence of age, sex and season on the serum biochemistry parameters. A total of 61 apparently healthy horses of varied ages and either sex were studied during a six-month period [three months of dry season (February - April) and three months of rainy season (June - August)] at the Obollor Afor Horse Depot, Enugu State, Nigeria. Blood for the study was collected by jugular venipuncture and all the serum biochemistry determinations followed standard procedures. The overall mean for the serum biochemistry parameters were: aspartate aminotransferase (AST) – 95.09 ± 1.14 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) – 9.44 ± 0.69 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) – 70.49 ± 2.55 IU/L, total protein – 6.83 ± 0.07 g/dl, albumin – 3.35 ± 0.05 g/dl, globulin – 3.48 ± 0.08 g/dl, bilirubin – 3.43 ± 0.13 mg/dl, cholesterol – 108.43 ± 3.41 mg/dl, creatinine – 1.31 ± 0.04 mg/dl and urea – 32.33 ± 0.88 mg/dl. The serum cholesterol level of the females were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the males. Serum urea level was  significantly (p < 0.05) higher in older horses while serum ALP activity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in young horses. Serum AST, ALT and ALP activities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the rainy season while serum urea and cholesterol levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the dry season. Keywords : Nigerian horses, Equus caballus, Serum biochemistry, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Bilirubin, Cholesterol, Creatinine, Urea