Effects of Age and Sex on Serum Biochemistry Values of Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) Reared in the Semi- Arid Environment of Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the effect of sex and age on serum biochemistry parameters of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo ). Forty healthy turkeys of three different age groups (4-8weeks old, 12-20weeks old and adults) were used. Statistical comparisons were made for differences in values between male and females and among different ages. Female turkeys had significantly (p<0.05) higher serum potassium, chloride and uric acid than the males. The adults turkeys had significantly (p<0.05) greater potassium (K ), sodium (Na ), chloride (Cl ), uric acid, creatinin, albumin, + + Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) than the poults. The Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in the poults was significantly higher than in the adults. The globulin and bicarbonate were similar in all the age groups. The ages x sex interaction were all significant. The present study on serum biochemistry parameters of turkeys could serve as a baseline data that could be exploited for genetic improvement of turkeys.