ABSTRACT

Haematological characteristics of Red Sokoto goats reared in Umudike, humid Southeastern environment were studied in twenty (20) apparently healthy Red Sokoto goats, made up of eight (8) bucks and twelve (12) does. Blood samples were collected via the jugular venipuncture of the goats and placed in a sterile bijour bottles containing I mg of anti-coagulants ethylene diamine tetracetate (EDTA) for haematological analysis. Mean values and standard errors of mean were calculated. Data was analyzed for effect of sex using one way analysis of variance. Mean, vaius for Red Sokoto goats were (27.31.1.01%), (6.510.l8gldl), (7.90±0.32 x l0il), (2.14±0.79 x l0i1) ür Packed cell volume, l-laemoglobin, Red blood cell, White blood cell others were (3S.34±1.79fL), (8.45±0.29pg) and (24.49± I.04g/dl) for MCV, MCU and MCHC, respectively. Mean values obtained for packed cell volume (27.3±1.01%), White blood cell (2 14±0.79 x l0iI) and Mean corpuscularvolume (35.34±l.79fL) were significantlyhigher(P<0.05) in male Red Sokoto goats than female Red Sokoto goats for PCV, WBC and MCV (24.58±0.92%), (1.18±0.18 x 103pJ), (31.41±1.73fL), respectively. The MCHC in female Red Sokoto goats (26.55+l.33g/dl) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in male Red Sokoto goats (21.40±0.7Qg/dl). There were no significant differences (10.O5) in Haemoglohin (I-Tb), Red blood cell (R13C) and Mean corpuscular hacmoglobin (MCII) in both sexes The White blood cell diffL'rential count in male (47.50L3.22%), (51.3813.29%), (063±0.32%) and (050±019%) for Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, Monocyte arid Eosinophil was similar (P>0.05) to (41 .92±2.73%), (56.17±2.12%), (1.0±0.52) and (1.08±0.40%) for Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, Monocyte and Eosinophil of female Red Sokoto goats. Red Sokoto goats reared in the Southeastern humid environment compares favourably with those reared in other regions. This is an indicati,on that the goats were healthy and may have adapted to the study area.

TABLE OF' CONTEN'FS

Title page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of content

List of tables

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

1 .0 Introduction I

1.1 Background Information

1.2 StatementofProblems 3

1.3 Objectives of the Study 3

1.4 Justification 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.1 Goat Husbandry in the Jropics 5

2.2 BreedsofGoatinNigeria 5

2.2. 1 Red Sokoto or Maradi Goat 6

2.2.2 West African Dwarf(WAD) Goat 6

2.2.3 Sahel Goat 7

2.2.4 Kano Bro

2.2.5 13ornu White 7

2.3 Common Management System oI'Goat in Nigeria 7

2.3.1 Extensive System 8

2.3.2 Semi-Intensive System 8

2.3.3 Intensive System 8

2.3.4 Scavenging or Untethered System 9

2.3.5 BackyardGoatRaising

2.4 Hematological ('haractenstics 9

2.5 Blood 9

2.6 Hematological Parameters 11

2.6. 1 Packed Cell Volume (PCV) ] I

2.6.2 Haemoglobin (Hb) 11

2.6.3 Red Blood Cell II

2..4 White Blood Cells I 2

2.6.5 Meafl Corpuscular Volume (MCV) . 13

2.6.6 Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) 13

2.7.7 Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentraion (MCHC) 13

2.7.8 White Blood Cell Differential Counts 14

2.7.8.1 Neutrophils •14

2.7.8.2 Eosinophils .. .. 14

2.7.

2.7.8.4 Lymphocytes 15

2.7.8.5 Basophils 16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 17

3.1 Experimental Sites and Location 17

3.2 Expenmental Animals 17

3.3 Blood Collection 1 7

3.4 MethodoIo' 18

3.4.1 Method of Hematology Determination 1 8

3.4. 1.1 Packed Cell Volume (PCV) 1 8

3.4.1.2 Flemoglobin (Hb) 18

3.4.1.3 Red Blood Cell (RBC) 19

3.4.1.4 White Blood Cell (WBC) 19

3.4.1.5 White Blood Cell Counts 19

3.4.1 .( Macn Corpuscular Volume (MCV) 19

3.4.1,7 Mean Corpuscular Ilemoglobin (MCII) 2(j

3.4.1 .8Mean Corpuscular 1-laemoglohin Concentration (MC NC) 20

3.5 Statistical Analysis 20

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and Discussion 2 1

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Conclusion 28

5.2 Recommendations 28