Correlation Between Biochemical Parameters and Production Traits in Merino Cross Sheep Ii -: Hemoglobin and Transferrin Types

Abstract

To determine the relationship between biochemical parameters and production traits in sheep, 111 of the animals raised in the Bandirma Sheep Research Institute were used as living materials. The blood samples of 31 Hampshire Down x Merino, 33 Dorset Down x Merino, 27 German Black Headed x Merino and 20 Border Leicester x Merino crosses were taken. Transferrin (Tf) and haemoglobin (Hb) types were determined. Some production traits such as greasy fleece weight, staple length, fiber diameter, ondulance and lamb birth weight were estimated. Important correlations between Hb AB and lamb birth weights (P less than or equal to 0.05), Hb AB and greasy fleece weight in SBA x Merino crosses (P less than or equal to 0.05), Hb AB and greasy fleece weight in Border Leicester x Merino crosses (P less than or equal to 0.05), Tf B type and greasy fleece weight in SBA x Merino and Border Leicester x Merino crosses (P less than or equal to 0.05) and Tf A type and lamb birth weight in SBA x Merino crosses (P less than or equal to 0.05) were also determined.