Some normal biochemical parameters of pigs in Pupua New Guinea.

The normal values of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum lactic dehydrogenase and serum alkaline phosphatase, total protein, urea, creatine, cholesterol, glucose, magnesium, calcium and inorganic phosphorus were measured monthly over a 12-month period from 10 "pure" Native and 10 Native X British Crossbred pigs. Except for cholesterol, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Similar estimations were made for 5-month and 11-month Village pigs in which the serum alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus, total protein, urea, creatinine and calcium were significantly lower when compared with the corresponding age group of the pure Native pigs and Crossbred pigs. These lower values are thought to be due to the effects of the malnutrition-parasite complex of Village pigs.