Effect of age, breed and sex on haematological and blood biochemical parameters in helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

Changes in blood profiles influence production performance in livestock. This study evaluated the effect of age, breed and sex on haematological and blood biochemical parameters in helmeted guinea fowl. Haemoglobin concentrations increased (P < 0.05) with age from 8 to 24 weeks, so did total WBC counts. The total RBC counts (1.89 ± 0.05 versus 1.64 ± 0.05 × 1012/L), PCV (37.04 ± 0.77 versus 33.47 ± 0.76%), and WBC counts (3.51 ± 0.15 versus 2.57 ± 0.14 × 109/L) were higher (P < 0.05) in the indigenous than those in the exotic helmeted guinea fowls. Furthermore, basophil counts were higher (P < 0.05) in the female than those in the male guinea fowls. The 16-week-old guinea fowls had higher (P < 0.05) total protein, albumin, globulin and total cholesterol levels than the 8- and 24-week-olds. Also, birds at 24 weeks old of age had higher (P < 0.05) uric acid levels than those at 8 and 16 weeks. Indigenous guinea fowls recorded higher (P < 0.05) albumin (29.87 ± 0.96 versus 27.08 ± 0.95 g/L), total cholesterol (4.79 ± 0.14 versus 2.99 ± 0.14 mmol/L) and creatine kinase (40.60 ± 1.06 versus 30.30 ± 1.04 μ/L) concentrations than their exotic counterparts. Uric acid and potassium levels were rather higher (P < 0.05) in the exotic helmeted guinea fowls than those in the locals. Also, protein and sodium levels were higher (P < 0.05) in females than those in males. The results demonstrate that age, sex and breed are factors that influence the productivity and health of the helmeted guinea fowl.