Serum Biochemical Profiles of Apparently Healthy Goats in Sokoto Metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria: Preliminary Local Reference Values

Serum biochemical parameters provide valuable information on the physiological, metabolic, and health status of animals and are commonly used in veterinary clinical practice. However, biochemical values vary with breed, nutrition, management, environmental conditions, age, sex, and physiological status, highlighting the need for locally relevant data. This study examined serum biochemical parameters of goats in Sokoto Metropolis, to produce preliminary local biochemical values for clinical assessment. Forty (40) apparently healthy goats were randomly selected from households, farms, and semi-intensive production systems. Approximately 5 mL of blood was collected from the jugular vein into plain tubes, and serum was analyzed using an automated chemistry analyzer at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory. Total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, ALP, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were Parameters assessed. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Mean ± SD values were 8.28 ± 1.02 g/dL for total protein, 2.61 ± 0.23 g/dL for albumin, 5.67 ± 1.05 g/dL for globulin, 40.89 ± 71.10 U/L for ALT, 32.23 ± 36.84 U/L for AST, 99.49 ± 78.65 U/L for ALP, 47.64 ± 24.87 mg/dL for urea, 4.35 ± 0.53 mg/dL for creatinine, 3.84 ± 4.02 mg/dL for total bilirubin, and 6.52 ± 1.56 mg/dL for direct bilirubin. Most values were mostly comparable with previous reports for indigenous Nigerian goats, even though considerable variation occurred in some liver enzymes and bilirubin indices. These findings provide preliminary local biochemical data and emphasize the importance of regional, nutritional, environmental, and management factors in interpreting serum biochemical results.