Haematological parameters of sheep in the semi-arid zone of North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Haematological parameters of sheep in the semi-arid zone of North-Eastern Nigeria were studied between August 2022 and April, 2023. Blood was sampled from one hundred and sixty-eight sheep comprising of Yankasa, Balami and Uda (56 per breed) at the Federal University Gashua Teaching and Research Farm, Gashua abattoir and Garin Alkali goats and sheep markets. The study was carried out to determine the blood profile of prominent indigenous sheep breeds in the study area. Blood samples were carefully collected from the animals into labeled sterile bottles containing Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid for haematological examination. Data analyzed for the effect of breed, sex and age were not significantly affected (p>0.05) for packed cell volume (PCV) and haemaglobin (Hb) concentration. Consequently, values of PCV and Hb differed significantly (p<0.05) with season in favour of wet season, (40.87%) and (13.63g/dl) for PCV and Hb respectively. Values for red blood cell (10.18 x103/µL), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (35.11g/dl), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (12.71 Pg), mean corpuscular volume (45.86 Fl) and white blood cell (10.72 x103/µL) were significantly higher (p<0.05) for Uda sheep. Adult sheep generally had significantly (p<0.05) higher values for haematologic parameters considered. It was concluded that there were breed, sex, age and seasonal differences in haematological parameters of the sheep breeds studied. The blood parameters needed to be monitored frequently and appropriately controlled to ensure stability and adequate health and nutritional status of sheep.