An Investigation of Some Serum Parameters of Cattle in Two Seasons at Benue and Ogun State of Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 480 apparently healthy cattle comprising 240 Muturu and Bunaji breeds respectively, were used for the experiment which was designed to present an overview of the value of theirserum parameters. The experiment was set in a completely randomized design (CRD). Parameters analyzed showed that the concentrations of serum calcium (10.68 mg/dl), magnesium (2.59 mg/dl), glucose (78.00 mg/dl), cholesterol (117.20 mg/dl), LDL (72.90 mg/dl), AST (95.90 U/l), ALP (38.90 U/l), GGT (42.40 U/l), total protein (7.53 mg/dl) and albumin (3.63 mg/dl) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the wet season. Mean values of phosphorus (5.96 mg/dl), urea (14.60 mg/dl) and HDL: LDL ratio (0.908 mg/dl) was higher in the dry season. Significant seasonal effects were not observed in other serum parameters measured. It was therefore concluded that variation in seasons influences some serum parameters of cattle.