EFFECT OF LOCATION ON THE BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF FEEDLOT BULLS FATTENED IN THE HOT PERIOD OF MUBI, ADAMAWA STATE

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of location on biochemical traits in feedlot bulls fattened in Mubi, Adamawa State during the hot period. Sixty (60) Ambala bulls comprising (20) each from the three (3) purposively sampled locations (Buladega, Tike cattle market and Njairi feedlot fattening Areas) were used for the experiment, which spanned from March –May, 2024. Three (3) ml of blood was collected from the jugular veins of the bulls using syringe and needle. The serum samples analyzed were total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine. Data collected from the experiment were analyzed using SAS, 9.0 statistical software, and means with significant differences were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) method. The relationship between biochemical traits was analyzed using the Correlation procedure of the same software. Results showed that location significantly influenced (P<0.05) all biochemical properties evaluated. Tike cattle market recorded higher values for all the biochemical parameters; Glucose (59.68 mg/dL), Cholesterol (93.84 mg/dL), Triglycerol (53.91 mg/dL), Urea (52.91 mg/dL), Total Protein (7.88%) and Creatinine (0.91 mg/dL) while on other hand, Buladega had the least values for biochemical properties evaluated. There were positive correlations (P<0.05-0.001; r = 0.31 to 0.94) between biochemical parameters, except for relationship between Creatinine and Total protein (P>0.05; r= 0.19). It was concluded that location significantly affected all biochemical traits with bulls fattened at Tike cattle market recording higher values that make them more susceptible to heat stress. It is therefore recommended that feedlot cattle fattened in Tike cattle market should be provided with shade to reduce the direct effect of sunlight.