SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN OXIDATIVE STRESS INDICATORS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

Abstract

An investigation was conducted on oxidative status of male and female West African dwarf Lambs. Sixteen rams and ewes each, aged 8-12 months old were used for this study carried out in July and August in Ibadan, Nigeria. The average body weights were 12.08+3.26 and 12.76kg for ewes and rams respectively. Fastened blood samples were collected from all animals and assayed for serum lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase using standard procedures. The result obtained indicated that rams had apparently higher total antioxidant activity and significantly higher serum catalase activity than ewes, while serum lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase were statistically similar in both sexes. This indicates thatrams have better antioxidant activity than ewes