Comparative study on haematological traits of endangered Andaman wild pig and other indigenous pig breeds available at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Aim: The present experiment was conducted to investigate and compare the haematological parameters of different pig breeds available at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India viz. Andaman wild pig, Nicobari pig, Andaman desi pig and Large White Yorkshire (LWY). Six erythrocyte traits, seven leukocyte traits and four platelet traits were assessed. Materials and Methods: 10 ml blood was collected from each adult pig via external jugular vein aseptically in a collection tube containing anticoagulant EDTA (2 mg EDTA/ml of blood). All these haematological parameters were measured by an instrument named Cell Counter Analyzer MS9-5V (Melet Schloesing Laboratories). 6 Results: A significantly (p<0.05) higher Red Blood Cell Concentration (RBC in 10 /µl), Packed Cell Volume (PCV in %) and Haemoglobin concentration (Hgb in g/dl) was found in Andaman wild pig in comparison to all other pig breeds. The Total 3 White Blood Cell Concentration (WBC in 10 /µl) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Andaman wild pig in comparison to all the other pig breeds studied. The ratio of Neutrophil and Lymphocyte (N:L) was lowest in Andaman wild pig and was highest 3 in LWY. No significant difference (P<0.05) was found in total Blood Platelet Concentration (PLT in 10 /µl) between Andaman wild pig and LWY but the values were significantly higher in comparison to Andaman desi pig and Nicobari pig. Conclusions: The haematological parameters of different pig breeds available at Andaman and Nicobar Islands were investigated and compared and based on haematological parameters it was found that Andaman wild pig is best adapted in the hot humid climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Large White Yorkshire is least adapted.