EFFECT OF SEASON ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF LAMBS

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of season on haematological profiles of lambs in Northern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. Blood samples (5ml) were collected from 76 lambs from the mixed flock of Balami, Uda, Yankasa sheep and their crosses through the jugular vein. The data obtained were analysed using General Linear Model procedure of SAS (SAS, 2004). Season had no effect (P>0.05) on all erythrocyte indices of lambs except mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Early dry season recorded higher MCV and MCH value than early wet season. The values for MCV were 28.51+0.50 fl and 27.74±0.40 fl for early dry and wet season, respectively while 9.34±0.21 pg and 8.22±0.16 pg were obtained respectively for MCH during early dry and wet season. Season affected (P<0.05) all the leucocyte indices except monocytes. Early wet season recorded higher values (18.0110.37 x10'/litre) for white blood cells (WBC) counts than early dry season (11.68+0.4 x10'/litre).Effect of season on haematological profile of lambs from the studied population is more prominent on increased leukocyte counts during early wet season. It is therefore recommended that farmers should practice disease prevention protocols such as anti-helminthic drenching and deworming regularly, especially during raining season.