Variations in haematological and serum biochemical indices among White Fulani bulls, Ouda rams and West African Dwarf bucks

Abstract

Variations in haematological and serum biochemical indices  among White Fulani bulls, Ouda rams and West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks were studied. Ten each of mature bulls, rams and bucks were used for the experiment. Blood was sampled from all the animals and analysed for haematology and serum was separated for serum biochemical analysis. The result showed that species had effect on some haematological and  serum biochemical indices of White Fulani bulls, Ouda rams and WAD bucks. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cells, red blood cells, monocytes and eosinophils were not significantly different among the species, while platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils counts were  significantly influenced by specie differences. Platelets was significantly (p<0.05) lower in rams (93.20×103/μL) than in bulls (136.00×103/μL) and bucks (141.90×103/μL). Lymphocytes and neutrophils count was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by species differences. Serum biochemical parameters showed that there was no significant difference in the mean values for albumin, glucose, cholesterol, urea and Aspartate amino transferase, while the values obtained for total protein, creatinine and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) were significantly (p<0.05) different among the animal species. Total protein (7.21±0.52 g/dL) and creatinine (1.21±0.19 mg/dL) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in bucks than other species.  The ALT was also higher (p<0.05) in bucks (20.83 iu/L) than in rams (7.59 iu/L) and bulls (6.27 iu/L). This study suggests that the effect of specie of an animal influences blood indices. The values obtained in this study can be used as references for haematological and serum biochemical assessment of indigenous male cattle, sheep and goat in Nigeria.

Keywords: Haematology, serum metabolites Ruminants blood variation, Bull, Ouda Ram, Male goat