EFECT OF SEX ON HEAT STRESS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS REARED IN NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Give two or three sentences to indicate justification for this study. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sex on heat stress of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat. The study was conducted using 200 (100 bucks and 100 does) mature WAD goats comprising of 100 (50 bucks and 50 does) from the Southern and Northern Agricultural zones. Parameters measured were rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate and heat stress index. Data generated were analysed using the T test procedure of the SPSS software version 21. The result obtained indicated that sex had significant
(P<0.05) effect on rectal temperature and pulse rate in Southern Agricultural Zone and combination of Northern and Southern Agricultural Zone. Doe had significantly (P<0.05) higher rectal temperature (40.74±0.04) while the Buck had significantly (P<0.05) higher pulse rate (100.43±0.54) in the Southern Zone. Respiratory rate and heat stress index was not significant in the two agricultural zones. From the outcome of this research, it could be recommended that characterization of WAD goats could be done using heat tolerance traits in Nasarawa State due to the fact that they have the potential to adapt to the prevailing environmental conditions in the area.