Physiological variations and oxidative status in West African Dwarf male sheep and goat in semi intensive management system

In a study to evaluate variations in physiological indices of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams and bucks, 16 apparently healthy WAD rams and bucks each age range between 8- 12 months were selected from a flock managed in a semi intensive system. The average body weight of 12.76 ± 4.09 kg and 12.08 ± 3.26 rams and bucks, respectively. Fastened blood samples were collected from all animals into plain and heparinised bottles for haematology and serum separation, respectively. Serum was obtained using standard procedures and assayed for serum biochemical, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase using standard procedures, data obtained were subjected to T-test. The result revealed that haematological parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different between both rams and bucks. The value for glucose (6.68 ± 3.56 vs 1.72 ± 0.76 mmol/L), total protein (92.49 ± 16.99 vs 19.19 ± 8.27 g/L), albumin (13.41 ± 5.25 vs 2.58 ± 0.29 g/dL) and high density lipoprotein (10.28 ± 3.43 vs 1.66 ± 0.26 mmol/L) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in rams compared to bucks. Total antioxidant activity (127.35±36.37 vs 13.04 ± 3.06 mmol/litre), catalase (199.77 ± 130.23 vs 57.93 ± 12.05 nmoles of H2O2 consumed/min/mg protein) and superoxide dismutase (0.65 ± 0.33 vs 0.49 ± 0.08 U/min/mg protein) were statistically (p<0.05) higher in rams than in bucks. In conclusion, rams had higher glucose, protein, albumin, and high density lipoprotein. Rams had superior antioxidant defense over bucks and thus had lower susceptibility to oxidative stress compared to bucks. Keywords: Serum metabolites, Free radicals, Antioxidant enzyme, West African dwarf, Ram, Buc