Erythrocyte Glutathione Level in Relation to Haemoglobin Tybe in Rajasthan Desert Sheep

Abstract

Concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes were determined in 344 adult ewes of four sheep breeds (Marwari, Chokla, Jaisalmeri, and Magra) indigenous to the Rajasthan desert, India. Comparisons were made between the numbers of high GSH (GSHIl) and low GSH (GSHh) type animals and between the numbers of GSHH and GSHh animals of A, AB, and B haemoglobin type. In all, 77 % Jaisalmeri, 75 % Chokla, 67 % Marwari, and 52 % Magra animals were GSHh type. Chokla animals of both GSH types had the lowest mean erythrocyte GSH levels of all breeds tested. No effect of haemoglobin type on erythrocyte GSH level was apparent in the tested sheep of either GSH type.