Prevalence of gallstones in buffaloes slaughtered in Tabriz abattoir and its correlation with hepatic parameters

Abstract

The liver is one of the largest and most active organs of the body. One of the most important functions of the liver is its involvement in lipid metabolism, production of bile and excretion of waste products through bile. The purpose of the present research is to examine the prevalence of gallstones in the buffaloes slaughtered in the city of Tabriz and to evaluate some of their hepatic parameters. In this study, blood samples of 100 Buffaloes aged 4-5 years were taken prior to slaughter as well as their postmortem gallbladder samples. The blood sera were isolated and parameters such as Cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT and ALP were measured by colorimetric method. The gallbladder specimens were opened and evaluated for the presence or absence of stones. The laboratory analysis of gallstones was carried out through biochemical kit method. Of 100 buffalos, ten were found to have gallstones, composed of bilirubin calcium, cholesterol, calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate, respectively. Of the parameters evaluated, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline-phosphatase levels had increased significantly. Gallstones can block bile excretion, thereby causing damage to the liver.

Keywords

• Gallstones
• Buffalo
• Hepatic parameters
• Blood
• Iran