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Serum Alkaline Phosphatase in Unsupplemented Range Cattle¹

University of Arizona, Tucson 85721

Abstract

Serum alkaline phosphatase values were obtained from a beef herd maintained under range conditions without supplementation. The study was conducted over a 4-year period with 576 progeny from 21 sires represented at 235 and 340 days of age, and 713 progeny from 22 sires at 600 and 710 days of age.

The results show a significant year effect, indicating the importance of environmental factors in determining the base level of alkaline phosphatase within a particular year. The comparison of bulls and heifers shows that females have significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase values at all four ages. Sire effects were significant at all four ages. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.32 to 0.48, with higher estimates following the summer season of improved nutritional status. Phenotypic correlations of alkaline phosphatase levels with contemporary and subsequent weights ranged from 0.07 to 0.12, indicating that the enzyme is not associated with growth as measured by weight.

¹ Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Paper 2150.