Haematology and Serum Biochemical Profile of Kalahari Red Goats Reared in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical and haematological parameters of Kalahari Red goats reared in the tropical environment in IFSERAR, FUNAAB. The study was carried out on fifty animals of both sexes using parasitological techniques. The goats were fed concentrate feeds and grazed on sown pastures of Chloris gayana and Stylosanthes amata. Water was given ad-libitum. The serum biochemical analysis was determined using RandoxR analysis kits. The sex of each animal was noted and recorded. The PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were determined as haematological parameters while Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Phosphorus were determined in serum analysis. Data generated were analysed in a General Linear Model (GLM) using SAS 9.1 statistical package in a one-way-analysis of variance (ANOVA). According to the results, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in all the haematological parameters determined across sex. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in Total protein and Albumin across sex of which the mean values were higher in the female goats. The value of the mean total protein in the female goats was 5.93±0.88 while the value was 5.31±0.23 in the male goats. It can be concluded that sex did not have any influence on the haematology but had association on only the protein component of the serum biochemistry. This result obtained can be used as a reference value for Kalahari Red goats reared in the tropics and under similar nutrition.