Physiology of the growing and adult goose

Abstract

Synopsis The packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and specific gravity and percentage water of whole blood and plasma were determined at 4‐week intervals in male and female Pilgrim goslings from 1 to 20 weeks of age and in adult geese at 4‐ to 5‐week intervals from 34 to 59 weeks of age. All parameters studied increased during the growing period except erythrocyte sedimentation rate which declined. There were no significant sex differences at any time during this period. The packed cell volume of adult males remained relatively constant from 34 to 50 weeks while that of the females declined. After 50 weeks the female level began to rise in contrast to a decline in the males so that the values were about the same for both sexes at 59 weeks. Differences between sexes were highly significant between 43 and 50 weeks. Changes in haemoglobin content and whole blood specific gravity were positively correlated with changes in packed cell volume while changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rate were negatively correlated. Plasma specific gravity of adult males remained relatively constant whereas that of females decreased prior to commencement of egg production at 43 weeks, then increased significantly and remained significantly above the male level for the remainder of the adult period.