Effect of Geographic Location and Age on Levels of Some Biochemical Parameters of Ewes in Southern of Iraq

Abstract

A total of one hundred and ten healthy dry ewes of Arabi sheep diffusive in three geographic locations in the north of Basrah (AL-Qurna, Al-Midaina and Al-Uazair) were divided into three different age groups: <1 year old, between 1 - 3 years old and >3 years old, to investigate the influence of geographic location and age on the concentration of some biochemical parameters of sheep in the south of Iraq. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) changes among geographic locations in some biochemical parameters such as cholesterol, glucose, estridol and growth hormone concentrations. No significant differences were presented in concentrations of total protein, albumin, Fe, phosphorus, ascorbic acid, LH, T3 and T4 hormones in the blood of ewes in different geographic locations. The concentrations of cholesterol, T3 and T4 hormones decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while, the concentrations of glucose and estradiol hormone increased significantly (P < 0.01) in adult ewes compared with younger ewes.