THE USE OF SOME BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THE STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY IN SHEEP
THE USE OF SOME BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THE STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY IN SHEEP
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Date
1987-07
Authors
KOGO, EMMANUEL JIMOH
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Abstract
In Nigeria, many animal foetuses particularly -from
small ruminants are lost during slaughter in abattoirs- This
is due lack of simple method for detecting early pregnancies.
In view of the need to develop simpler techniques which
can detect early pregnancies, a study was conducted using
eleven (11) Nigerian Yankasa sheep and five (5) rams to study
levels of some serum biochemical parameters and haematology
the gestation period. These parameters included
electrolytes, trace elements, cholesterol, urea, proteins and
alkaline phosphatases. Colbalt, copper and bicarbonate
levels were lower in pregnant than none pregnant ewes while
zinc and manganese levels were found to be raised. The total
protein maintained a uniform low level all through pregnancy.
The alkaline phosphatase level declined progressively from
early pregnancy till lambing while the fall in urea was
particularly marked from mid—pregnancy to lambing. Albumin
level was low throughout the pregnancy period returning to
almost normal levels at term while phosphorus levels
increased during the first two months followed by lower
levels the next two months, but returning to normal level at
term.
I he albumin/phosphorus ratio was found, in this study,
to be the most reliable parameter for prediction of various
stages of pregnancy. The estimations of albumin and
phosphorus are less expensive and could therefore be used as
an alternative to the expensive methods currently available
for the determinations of pregnancies in the sheep
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree Master
of Science in Biochemistry.
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Science
Ahmadu Bello University.
Zaria
JULY, 1987
Keywords
BIOCHEMICAL,, PARAMETERS,, PHYSIOLOGICAL,, CHANGES ASSOCIATED,, PREGNANCY IN SHEEP