Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology

Research Paper|Published December 2025|Vol.11(2):16-26

https://doi.org/10.36630/jasft_25013

 

 

Variation in Blood and Serum Parameters in Local Omani Sheep Breeds

 

Ihab Shaat^1,2*, Asila Al Naabi¹, Kareema Al Senani³ and Abdel Aziz Al Shegaibi⁴

 

¹Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Center (Mawarid), Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Oman.
²Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt.
³Livestock Research Center, Directorate General for Agricultural and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Oman.
⁴Salalah Livestock Research Station, Directorate General for Agricultural and Livestock Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Oman.
  

ABSTRACT

In Oman, there are two indigenous sheep breeds: the Northern and Southern Omani sheep. To assess the variation in hematological and serum biochemical parameters due to breed, sex, age, birth type, and birth year, blood samples were collected from sheep at the Wadi Quriyat and Salalah Livestock Research Stations. The hematological parameters examined included seven red blood cell/hemoglobin-related traits and six white blood cell-related traits. The biochemical parameters assessed included total protein (with detailed components such as albumin, globulin, bilirubin, creatinine, and six enzyme activities), glucose, three electrolytes, calcium, arsenate, and chlorine. The experimental design was optimized across the fixed effects, and a mixed-model analysis was used to estimate and test the fixed effects as well as the proportion of variance attributable to birth year. Overall, the Southern breed displayed greater variability than the Northern breed. Amongst the studied parameters,  several showed high variability, particularly the enzyme activities and those related to immunologically important white blood cell groups.  In contrast,  vital red blood cell indices, mean cell hemoglobin, and diet-dependent glucose exhibited low variability. There were correlations among the hematological parameters. The study provides a baseline reference for hematological and serum biochemical parameters, which will be useful for understanding and improving the production and health features of sheep in the targeted geographical region.

Keywords: Hematology, serology, plasma components, ovine, Ovis aries, Western Asia.

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