This study was to assess the biochemical parameters of apparently
healthy NIGERHYB pigs and comparison of age and sex related differences
in these parameters. One hundred and thirty five NIGERHYB pigs (35
boar, 35 sow, 30 weaned boar piglets and 35 weaned gilt piglets)
obtained from intensively managed pig farms in Abeokuta suburbs were
screened for parasites. The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and
K+ values of apparently healthy ones were determined using standard
methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The
total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values showed no
significant (p&gt;0.05) differences in both sexes of adult and piglets.
However, the mean values of total protein, globulin and K+ were
significantly higher in the adult than young. There were significant
(p&lt;0.05) differences in mean values of Na+ and K+ in sow, boar and
gilt piglets compared to the boar piglets. No significant (p&gt;0.05)
age and sex difference evident in the mean HCO3- of young and adult
pigs. The relationship between these biochemical parameter and those of
other animal species in this environment were discussed

Adebambo, Ayotunde O.

Egbetade, Adeniyi O.

Kumshe, Hussein A.

Omoshaba, Ezekiel O.

Sonibare, Adekayode O.

Bioline International

 Vol. 26 (2) 31–35  30 June 2014  Biokemistri An International Journal of the Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology 	  Original Article Selected plasma biochemical parameters in improved indigenous NIGERHYB pigs in Southwestern Nigeria Adekayode O. Sonibare*1, Adeniyi O. Egbetade1, Ezekiel O. Omoshaba1, Hussein A. Kumshe2 and Ayotunde O. Adebambo3  1College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. 2Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 3College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. *Corresponding author: Adekayode Sonibare; Email: ayo_sike@yahoo.com; Tel.; +2348033213694. Received: 02 June 2014: Revised 10 June 2014; Accepted: 11 June 2014. ABSTRACT: This study was to assess the biochemical parameters of apparently healthy NIGERHYB pigs and comparison of age and sex related differences in these parameters. One hundred and thirty five NIGERHYB pigs (35 boar, 35 sow, 30 weaned boar piglets and 35 weaned gilt piglets) obtained from intensively managed pig farms in Abeokuta suburbs were screened for parasites.  The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values of apparently healthy ones were determined using standard methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values showed no significant (p>0.05) differences in both sexes of adult and piglets. However, the mean values of total protein, globulin and K+ were significantly higher in the adult than young. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in mean values of Na+ and K+ in sow, boar and gilt piglets compared to the boar piglets. No significant (p>0.05) age and sex difference evident in the mean HCO3-  of young and adult pigs. The relationship between these biochemical parameter and those of other animal species in this environment were discussed. KEYWORDS: NIGERHYB pigs, Plasma biochemistry, veterinary science. BKM.2014.016  © 2014 Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology; All rights reserved. Printed in Nigeria This article is downloadable online in PDF format at http://www.bioline.org.br/bk  INTRODUCTION Traditionally, the indigenous breeds of pigs found in many Nigerian villages roam, scavenge and graze at will. These local breeds have been noted to be more robust in susceptibility to diseases, tolerance of high parasitic load and extremes in temperature (Adebambo, 1982).  Feed utilization especially the low protein diet is better in indigenous breeds than exotic ones, the local breeds are well adapted to low quality feeds (Ilori, 1974).  However they are deficient in productivity parameters like litter size, milk production, conversion of feed to muscle/meat when compared with exotic breeds. The NIGERHYB breed of pigs was developed using selective indices in the combination of indigenous species with pure exotic species like Landrace, Large white, Hampshire and Duroc (Adebambo and Onakade, 1983). The hybrids have been shown to exhibit sustained productive capacity and fairly rapid growth under improved management. The multiplier effect of these findings in the NIGERHYB is the increase in their commercial production in rural and peri-urban settings of South Western Nigeria. With the increase in production of more NIGERHYB, there is need to generate healthy baseline data. Currently there is a dearth of baseline biochemical parameters from NIGERHYB pigs raised under varying farm conditions. Biochemical plasma values are altered when there is a shift in normalcy in health, nutritional intake or normal physiological status (pregnancy, infancy and old age). Biochemical parameters thus provide information on the range of values in normal health, faulty metabolism and it is a veritable diagnostic aid and tool. Assessment of the plasma biochemical parameters Sonibare et al.                                                                   Plasma biochemistry of NIGERHYB pigs                                                      Biokemistri 26(2): 31–35  32	  of animals can provide important information on health, metabolism and is a practical diagnostic tool in evaluating and monitoring the health status of both companion and research animals (Kayali et al., 2009; Wesche, 2009). The findings will contribute to the build-up of a functional and reliable biochemical baseline data for the NIGERHYB. This will serve as a diagnostic aid of their physiological, nutritional and pathological conditions.  MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals  Niger hybrid of pigs (NIGERHYB) reared in University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Teaching and Research Farm and those obtained from pig farms within the University environs in the outskirt of Abeokuta metropolis were used for the study. These farms lie at 70 10 and 30 2E, in tropical climate with mean annual rainfall of about 1037 mm. The vegetation is an inter phase between the tropical rain forest and the derived savannah. Animals were housed on concrete floored pens equipped with watering and feeding facilities.  Pigs on selected farms were fed twice daily with compounded ration which contained Palm kernel Cake (PKC) maize offal, brewers dry grains, bone meal, dried cassava peelings and premix (vitamin and minerals). They were fed at 3 to 5% of their body weight. These breeds were identified using colour markings phenotypically. The history of the origin of pigs was obtained from the written farm records.        Blood sampling Blood samples were collected from identified pigs through the anterior vena cava following head restraint (Hassan et al., 2009). Diurnal variations in values of blood parameters were minimized by collecting blood samples at circa 08.30 to 10.30 a.m. Approximately 6ml of blood was collected: 4ml was dispensed into plastic tube containing lithium heparin and remaining 2ml into sterile tube containing EDTA (disodium ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid). Samples were transported to the laboratory using Carman® (Coleman, USA) cooler containing ice packs. Blood examination Parasitology Blood samples collected into EDTA tubes were used to screen sample for trypanosomes using micro haematocrit buffy coat technique (Murray et al., 1977). Thin and thick blood smears were made, fixed with methanol and stained with 10% Giemsa (Jain, 1986) for detection and identification of haemoparasites. Plasma chemistry Blood samples collected into lithium heparin tube were used to determine plasma protein and albumin using Biuret and Bromocresol Green methods respectively according to (Tietz, 1995). The bicarbonate ion was also determined according to Van Slyke method while both Sodium and potassium ions were  determined  using  colorimetric  methods  (Tietz, 1995).        Table 1: Selected plasma biochemical values of NIGERHYB pigs of different sexes and ages Data on the same row with different superscript differ significantly (p<0.05) from each other Sonibare et al.                                                                   Plasma biochemistry of NIGERHYB pigs                                                      Biokemistri 26(2): 31–35  33	         Faecal sampling Faecal material was collected par rectum using gloved fingers from every   pig on the study into universal bottle. Faecal samples were screened for helminth eggs using saturated Sodium chloride and Magnesium sulphate floatation methods (Hansen and Perry 1990).  Data analysis The data were analysed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) package version 8.0 developed in 2003. The data were tested for significant differences between groups. All significant differences were at 0.05 levels. The age and sex dependent changes in plasma biochemistry were tested with the non-parametric Mann Whitney test. Differences with value of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.     RESULTS  A total of 135 NIGERHYB pigs were sampled from intensively managed piggeries. Out of this number 110 pigs (81.5%) were apparently healthy. Samples from apparently healthy pigs were computed in the data analysis. However, 25 pigs had haemoparasites or helminth 40% had Eperythrozoonosis, 20% were positive for Babesiosis while 20% had Eperythrozoonosis in combination with Ascaris suum and 10% had Ascaris suum only. Out of the One hundred and ten healthy pigs, 55 were of the mean age 1.9 years consisting 25 boars and 30 sows; while 55 were weaned piglets made-up of 25 boar piglets and 30 gilt piglets (mean age 3.4 months).         The mean plasma biochemical values of both sexes of adult and weaned piglets NIGERHYB examined are presented in Table 1, and there were no significant (p>0.05) differences in total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values of both sexes in adult and piglets. However, the mean values of total protein, globulin and K+ were significantly higher in the adult than young. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in mean values of Na+ and K+ in sow, boar and gilt piglets compared to the boar piglets. No significant (p>0.05) age and sex difference evident in the mean HCO3-  of young and adult pigs.  DISCUSSION There is paucity of baseline plasma chemistry data and age related differences in these parameters for the NIGERHYB. This poses a challenge considering the wide acceptance of NIGERHYB pigs as preferred alternative for swine production in South Western Nigeria. However, blood samples are often difficult to obtain from the ear vein. Blood sampling from the anterior vena cava allows the collection of relatively large volume in these pigs up to 6 ml, which is sufficient for analysis of plasma chemistry parameters and haemoparasite screening. This study evaluated age and sex influences on K, Na, total protein, albumin, globulin and bicarbonate in NIGERHYB pigs. There were differences attributable to age and sex in the values of some of the parameters assessed in this study. Based on an 8 months age cut off for the adult NIGERHYB pigs, they had significantly higher total protein and globulin values in their plasma than in the piglets. A general increase Table 2: Comparison of selected plasma biochemical values in NIGERHYB and those of exotic breeds in both humid and temperate environment  [1] Ayoade et al., 1996; [2] Kaneko et al.,1997; [3] Maxine et al 2007. 	  Sonibare et al.                                                                   Plasma biochemistry of NIGERHYB pigs                                                      Biokemistri 26(2): 31–35  34	  in total protein and globulin levels with increase in age has been reported in other species including hystricomorph rodents (Kitagaki et al., 2005), degus (Jekl et al., 2011) and dogs (Kaneko 1997; Nottidge et al., 1999; 2005). In contrast, significantly lower globulin levels in immature African Giant rat compared to the adult were reported (Nssien et al., 2002). These findings thus indicated total protein globulin and albumin are indicators of adequacy of protein in terms of quality and quantity in the diet. These parameters similarly show whether there are protein malnutrition, alterations in the dietary intake and utilization, and possibly the extent of muscle wastage (Eggum, 1970). The values of total protein, albumin and globulin in NIGERHYB in this study were not significantly affected by sex in both young and adult. These findings agreed with the observations, in adult African giant rat (Thyronomys swinderianus) (Oyewale et al., 1997), in the American mink (Mustela vison) (Weiss et al., 1994,) and sympatric avian species in zoo (Karesh et al., 1995). However, it is at variance with those of cattle (Oduye and Fasanmi 1971), and sheep (Otesile and Kasali 1992).      The result obtained from this study showed that significant (p<0.05) age differences in the level of Na+ and K+, while no significant difference was observed in sexes of adult and young. However, no significant differences were observed in HCO3- level in the different ages and sexes of both adult and piglets. The sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate ions are very important for maintenance of fluid and acid-base balance and for muscle and neuromuscular impulse transmission (Saxon and Seldin, 1986). The changes in the concentration of these ions affect the extra cellular fluid volume and neuromuscular impulse transmission. The higher levels of K+ as reported in exotic pigs in sub humid environment (Ayoade et al., 1996) corroborated the finding in this study where K+ value was significantly higher in sow than the boars. This could be a response of pigs to emergent necessity for the activation of their thermoregulatory apparatus as consequence of non-existence of sweat gland in the porcine specie owing to the high ambient temperature in the tropical environment. These results could explain lower levels of K+ pattern observed in ruminant, avian  and  canine species  especially in the female       Table 3: Comparison of selected plasma biochemical values in NIGERHYB pigs and those of African Giant rats, Pangolin, Nigerian sheep and goats, white Fulani cattle and Nigerian cat in the same sub humid tropical environment. [1] Nssien et al., 2002; [2] Oyewale et al., 1998; [3] Oduye and Adadevoh 1976b; [4] Oduye and Adadevoh 1976a; [5] Oduye and Fasanmi 1971; [6] Nottidge et al., 1999. Sonibare et al.                                                                   Plasma biochemistry of NIGERHYB pigs                                                      Biokemistri 26(2): 31–35  35	  (Oduye and Fasanmi, 1971; Oduye and Adadevoh, 1976; Oyewale et al., 1997; 1998; Olowokorun and Makinde, 1999). In conclusion, some selected plasma biochemistry references values for the NIGERHYB of pigs have been established in this study. Based on data processed here, it can be concluded that total protein, globulin, Na+ and K+ levels undergo noticeable changes associated with age in NIGERHYB pigs.  REFERENCES Adebambo OA (1982) Evaluation of the genetic potential of Nigerian Indigenous pigs Proceeding of 2nd World Congress Genetic Appl in Livestock Production, Madrid pp. 543−553  Adebambo OA (1999) Correlated responses in weight of improved indigenous pigs (NIGERHYB) in Nigeria Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 22: 113−119 Adebambo OA (2003) Animal Breeds: A Nation heritage. An Inaugural lecture delivered at University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Delivered on 8th October 2003; published by University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria.  Adebambo OA and Dettmers A (1982) Efficiency of feed and milk utilization by the litter of indigenous and exotic pure and crossbred sows Tropical Animal Production 7: 204−208. Adebambo OA and Onakade AO (1983) Growth and carcass performance traits of crossbred boars of exotic and crossbred Nigerian indigenous pigs Nigerian Journal of Animal Production Research 3: 75−80. Ayoade GO, Antia RE, Michael J (1996) Haematological changes associated with lung worm (Metastrongylus spp) infection in indigenous pigs in Ibadan, Nigeria. International Journal of Animal Science 11: 229−230. Eggum BO (1970) Blood urea measurement as a technique for assessing protein quality British Journal of Nutrition 24: 983−988 Hasen J, Perry B (1990) The epidemiology and control of helminth parasites of ruminants. A handbook of international laboratory for research in animal diseases pp. 171 ILRAD, Nairobi, Kenya.  Hassan AZ, Nwannenna AI (2009) Animal handling and restraint; An instructive approach Z Hassan (ed). pp. 78−82 PA Ndahi Zaria, Nigeria.   Ilori JO (1974) Assessing the productive potentials of local breeds of pigs and effect of protein levels on performance Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 1: 27−34. Jain NC (1986) Schalms Veterinary Haematology 4th ed. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. Jekl V, Hauptman K,  Jeklova E, Knotek Z (2011) Selected haematological and plasma chemistry parameters in juvenile and adult degus (Octodon degus) Veterinary Record 169: 71. Kaneko JJ (1997) Serum proteins and dysproteinemia In Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals (5th ed). JJ Kaneko, JW Harvey, ML Bruss (eds). pp. 117−138 Academic Presses  Karesh WB, Hart JA, House C, Tores A, Dierenfeld ES, Braselton WE, Puche H, Cook RA (1995) Health evaluation of five sympatric duiker species (Cephalophus species). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 26: 485−502.  Kayali R, Aydin S, Cakatay U (2009) Effect of gene on main clinical chemistry parameters in aged rat Current Aging Science 2: 67−71. Kitagaki M, Yamaguchi M, Nakamura M, Sakurada K, Suwa T, Sasa H (2005) Age-related changes in haematology and serum chemistry of Weiser-Maples guinea pigs (Cava porcellus). Laboratory Animals 39: 321−330.   Maxmine MB (2007). Outine of veterinary clinical pathology, (3rd ed). pp 111−112 Iowa State University Press.  Murray M, Murray PK, McIntyre WI (1977) An improved Parasitological technique for the diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 71: 325−326. Nottidge HO, Taiwo VO, Ogunsanmi AO (1999) Haematological and serum biochemical studies of cat in Nigeria Tropical Veterinarian 17: 9−16. Nssien MAS, Olayemi FO, Onwuka SK, Olusola A (2002) Comparison of some plasma biochemical parameters in two generations of African giant rat (Cricetomysgambianus). African Journal of Biochemical Research 5: 63−67.    Oduye OO, Adadevoh BK (1976a) Biochemical values in apparently healthy normal Nigerian goats. Journal of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association 5: 51−55. Oduye OO, Fasanmi F (1971) Serum electrolyte and protein levels in the Nigerian White Fulani and Nʼdama breeds of cattle. Bulletin of Epizootic Diseases of Africa 19: 333−339. Oduye, O.O. and Adadevoh, B.K. (1976b) Biochemical values in apparently healthy normal Nigerian sheep. Journal of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association 5: 43−50. Olowookorun MO, Makinde MO (1995) Comparative Assessment of erythrocyte osmotic fragility Haematology and serum biochemical values in the domestic chicken and Ostrich. Tropical Veterinarian 16: 1−7 Otesile EB, Kasali OB (1982) Effects of age and sex on serum protein, urea nitrogen and transaminase concentration in Ethiopian highland sheep Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa 40: 181-184. Oyewale JO, Ogunsanmi AO, Ozegbe PC (1998). Plasma electrolyte enzyme, protein and metabolites levels in the adult African White –bellied Pangolin (Manis tricuspis). Tropical Veterinarian 16: 73−79.  SAS Statistics Analysis System (2003) Version 8.0 developed in North Caroline University United States of America. Saxton DR, Seldin DW (1986) In: Fluids and electrolyes. (3rd ed) J.P. Kokko and R .L., Tarner (eds) pp 53−69.  Saunders Company Philadelphia. Tietz NW (1995) Clinical Guide to Laboratory Test. (3rd ed) pp 518−519. Saunders Company, Philadelphia. Weiss DJ, Wustenberge W, Bucci JT, Permon V (1994) Haematological and serum chemistry reference values for adult brown mink. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 30: 599−602. Wesche P (2009) Rodents: clinical pathology. In BSAVA Manual of Rodents and Ferrets (2nd ed). Eds E. Keeble, A. Meredith (eds). pp 42−51 BSAVA Gloucester 

Selected plasma biochemical parameters in improved indigenous NIGERHYB pigs in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Bioline International