Glycosylated haemoglobin: An indicator of long-term blood glucose in domestic sheep and goats

Abstract

1. 1. Percentages of glycosylated Hb were determined in (32) Najidi sheep ( Ovis ovies) and (20) Nubian goats ( Capra hiscas) from Saudi Arabia, using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. 2. 2. The levels of glycosylated Hb in sheep (3.24%) and in goats (3.96%) differ significantly from human controls (4.9%) ( P > 0.001). 3. 3. Generally, low blood glucose and shorter erythrocyte life span in sheep and relatively in goats are reflected in a lower value for glycosylated Hb, indicating that glycosylated Hb may be used as a valid index of long-term mean blood glucose in sheep and goats.