ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect oftime ofblood collection (morning vs evening) on the haematological parameters of WAD goat. The parameters determined included red blood cell (BBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC); and the differential white cells characteristics of WAD goats and the correlation between time of collection and the haematology ofthe goats. Three (3) adult goats were usedfor the study. Blood sample was collectedfrom each goat twice daily (morning and evening) fortnightly (weeks 1, 3 and 5, respectively) using ethylamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) sample bottlesfor the evaluation ofsome haematological parameters. The blood samples collected were analyzed using Hemoanalyzer, and the result showed no significant (p>0.05) correlation between the time the blood samples were collected and the mean values of RBC, Hb, and PCV, whereas very strong correlation atp = 0.01, were observed with the white cells and the differential counts, suggesting that time ofblood collection had significant influence on the white cell indices. In conclusion, subsequent blood collection has been shown to have a cumulative effect on the white cell indices. Although, no significant effect on the mean values ofRBC, Hb, and PCV, but for a reliable and accurate evaluation ofRBC, Hb and PCVparameters of WAD goat, the best time to collect the blood sample is morning hour (8:00 am). Further studies are hereby recommended for the evaluation oftime ofblood collection on serum biochemical parameters.