Serum activities of some liver enzymes and metabolic responses of apparently healthy large white sows during gestation and after parturition.

This study evaluated the effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum liver function markers and protein profiles of large white (LW) sows. Thirty (30) sexually matured LW sows and eight (8) boars, of mean weight 45.38±1.29 kg, aged between 8 and 10 months were used for this study. The sows were randomly assigned to five groups (A to E) of six sows per group in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group A: Non pregnant (control), Group B: Early gestation (38 days), Group C: Mid gestation (78 days), Group D: Late gestation (112 days) and Group E: Post gestation (14 days postpartum). Blood samples were collected from the non-pregnant control and during four stages of gestation (early gestation, mid gestation, late gestation and post-gestation). The mean Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activity of group B sows was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than group C but showed no significant (p > 0.05) variations when compared to groups D, E and control. The mean Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity of the treated groups (D and E) was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when compared to the control. The mean total protein (TP) and globulin (G) concentrations of treated groups (B, C and D) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control. The mean albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio of group B was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control. There were however, no significant variations (p > 0.05) in the mean Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) activity, Aspartate Aminotransferase/Alanine Aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and albumin concentrations among all the groups. This present study has presented preliminary information on the changes in the serum liver function and protein parameters during gestation and after parturition in LW sows.