Influence of season and rangeland-type on serum biochemistry of indigenous Zulu sheep

Abstract

There is a paucity of information on the serum biochemistry of indigenous Zulu sheep in different seasons and rangeland type. Twenty clinically healthy Zulu rams aged at least 12 months were selected in different rangeland type, namely, Moist Coast Forest and Thornveld (MCT), Dry Highland Sourveld (DHS), Moist Zululand Thornveld (MZT), Natal Sour Sandveld (NSS), and Lowveld (LV) in KwaZulu-Natal from November 2014 to June 2015. Sheep with highest body weights were observed in LV and NSS (P < 0.05). Sheep with highest body condition score were found in MCT, LV, and DHS (P < 0.05). The concentration of albumin was high (P < 0.05) in MZT and DHS and low (P < 0.05) in NSS. Globulin and total protein concentrations were high (P < 0.05) in NSS. Albumin, total protein, and creatinine levels were higher in dry season (P < 0.05). Glucose and blood urea nitrogen were higher in rainy season (P < 0.05). In LV, albumin concentration was high in rainy season than in dry season (P < 0.05). In NSS, albumin concentration was high in dry season than in rainy season (P < 0.05). Globulin concentration was higher during dry season in MCT (P < 0.05). In MCT, there was a higher total protein concentration in dry season than in rainy season (P < 0.05). In NSS, the concentration of β-hydroxyl-butyrate was significantly higher in rainy season compared to dry season. Creatinine concentration was significantly high during dry season in LV, NSS, and MCT. There was a positive correlation on body weight against globulin, total protein, creatinine, and β-hydroxyl-butyrate (P < 0.05). Serum biochemistry of Zulu sheep varied with rangeland type, season, and their interactive effect.

Keywords

• albumin
• body weight
• creatinine
• globulin
• lowveld
• rams