Reference values for certain serum biochemical markers of liver damage in apparently healthy Red Sokoto goats

Abstract

The Red Sokoto goat (RSG) is the most preponderant of all the breeds of goats in Nigeria. There is dearth of
information regarding the reference values for serum biochemical markers of liver damage in this breed. This study
demonstrated the reference values in apparently healthy RSG and in RSG that were truly negative for liver disorders.
The study was a cross sectional survey. Research visits were made to Ikpa Market Abattoir, Nsukka, for 12 weeks.
Apparently healthy goats and those truly negative for liver disorders were deliberately selected for the study. Blood
samples were collected in sample bottles devoid of anticoagulants. The sera harvested were used for determination of
aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl
transferase (GGT) activities and levels of albumin and cholesterol. The overall mean ± standard error of mean (SEM)
of the parameters assayed in apparently healthy goats were: AST, 59.54 ± 2.43; ALT, 12.72 ± 1.18; ALP, 38.31 ± 6.63;
GGT, 20.83 ± 1.56; albumin, 3.31 ± 0.04; cholesterol, 82.76 ± 1.70 while the overall for the goats that were truly negative
for liver disorders were: AST, 53.49 ± 2.23; ALT, 10.91 ± 0.62; ALP, 29.88 ± 2.35; GGT, 16.45 ± 0.91; albumin, 3.37 ± 0.04
and cholesterol, 81.36 ± 2.33. Serum ALP was significantly higher in the young rather than the adult goats and in the
females more than in the males of apparently healthy RSG while AST was significantly higher in the adults of RSG that
showed true negative for liver disorders.