1

BLOOD PROFILE OF RED SOKOTO AND WEST AFRICAN DWARF

BUCKS RAISED IN ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

BY

EZENWENYI, NNEKA OGOCHUKWU

MATRICULATION NUMBER 20060528

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

COLLEGE OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABEOKUTA

IN THE PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR

THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURE B .AGRIC

DEGREE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA

JULY, 2011

2

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this project was carried out by EZENWENYI, NNEKA OGOCHUKWU

with matriculation number 20060528 in the Department of Animal Physiology under my

supervision

……………………… ……. . …………………………………

Dr A.O. Ladokun

Supervisor Date

3

DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to

God the father,

God the son

God the Holy Spirit.

The Blessed Virgin Mary

4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

May the most holy, sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be

always be praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven, on earth and under the earth,

by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy

Sacrament of the altar. I give thanks to the Alpha and Omega for seeing me through in this

project and in this land of UNAAB

My sincere appreciation goes to my parents Chief and Mrs. Festus Ezenwenyi who have till this

time been my best definition of wonderful parents, for their unparallel parental care. May the

Almighty God grant you long life and sound health to reap the fruits of your labour.

My special appreciation goes to my supervisor Dr. A.O Ladokun for the encouragement and

guidance he rendered during the course of this project. His efforts at fighting against all odds

towards seeing me through and technical guidelines that eased this work for me will remain

forever in my heart.

My special appreciation goes to Prof. O. A.Osinowo for his fatherly love throughout my stay in

UNAAB. Also to the head of Animal Physiology department Dr. O.F Smith and all my lecturers,

Prof.O.M. Onagbesan, Dr. .I.J. James, Dr. M.O. Abioja, Dr. T.J. Williams, Dr. J.A. Abiona, and

Dr. J.O. Daramola.

My special thanks go to Mrs. T.T. Lawal of Department of Animal Science at University of

5

Ibadan for laboratory analysis, Dr. Sogunle of Department of Animal Production and Health

(UNAAB) for analyzing the data and Mr Seun Oduawo for assisting in blood collection.

My appreciation goes to my brothers and sisters Mrs Eucheria Elewechi, Patrick, Emeka,

Innocent, Anayo, Ukamaka, Ifeyinwa, Ugochukwu, Ijeoma, Izuchukwu, Ebere for their prayers,

encouragement and support.

Also to my mentor Mr. Adebowale Adejuitan for his prayer, advice and encouragement; the

effort of my project mates, Suliat and Ayorinde and Dr. Christopher Ezenwenyi, Aunty

Catherine Ezenwenyi, and Mrs Obianuju Clifford for their financial support and prayers.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to my darling Donatus for being there for me and NFCS, UNAAB

chapter for making me to testify the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE PAGE

Certification i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Table of content v

List of tables ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Justification 2

1.2 Objective 3

1.2.1 Broad objective 3

7

1.2.2 Specific objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review 4

2.1 Goat husbandry in the tropics 4

2.2 Breeds of goat in Nigeria 5

2.2.1 Sahel goat 5

2.2.2 Red Sokoto goat 6

2.2.3 West African Dwarf

2.3 Management system of goat 6

2.3.1 Common management system of goat 7

2.4 The products and by products of goat 8

2.5 Haematology and serum biochemistry 8

2.6 Haematological parameters 9

2.6.1 Packed cell volume 9

8

2.6.2 Haemoglobin 9

2.6.3 Red blood cell 9

2.6.4 White blood cell 10

2.6.5 Neutrophils 11

2.6.6 Eosinophils 12

2.6.7 Basophils 12

2.6.8 Monocytes 13

2.6.9 Lymphocytes 14

2.7 Serum biochemistry indices 14

2.7.1 Total protein 14

2.7. 2 Creatinine 15

2.7.3 Serum albumen 16

2.7.4 SGOT/SAST 17

2.7.5 SGPT/SALT 18

9

2.7.6 Serum total cholesterol 18

2.2.7 Serum triglyceride 19

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods 20

3.1 Experimental site 20

3.0 Methodology 20

3.3.1 Method of haematology 20

3.3.2 Method of serum biochemistry 22

3.4 Stastical analysis 24

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results and discussion 24

4.1 Result 24

4.2 Discussion 29

CHAPTER FIVE

10

5.0 Conclusion and recommendation 31

5.1 Conclusion 31

5.2 Recommendation 31

REFERENCES 32-39

11

LIST OF TABLES PAGE

Table I: Haematological parameters of WAD and Red Sokoto bucks. 26

Table II: Serum biochemical parameters of WAD and Red Sokoto bucks. 28

12

13

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the haematological and serum biochemical indices of

WAD and Red Sokoto goat bucks in Abeokuta. Blood samples of fifteen West African Dwarf

(WAD) and fourteen Red Sokoto (RS) bucks were collected via their jugular venipuncture at

UNAAB farm, Abeokuta. The blood samples collected were taken immediately to the laboratory

for analyses. The analyses were carried out according to standard laboratory procedures for full

haematology and serum biochemistry. The results on haematology show that for packed cell

volume(PCV) value obtained for WAD is 24.33 ±1.28% while for RS is 21.93 ± 0.99%, the

value for White Blood Cell(WBC) for WAD is 8.76 ± 0.33( 109/L) while for RS is 11.13 ±100(

109/L); the value for Red Blood Cell(RBC) for WAD is 7.21 ± 30.03(1012/L) while for RS is

7.30 ± 63.79(1012/L) and the value of Haemoglobin(Hb) for WAD is 8.1 ± 0.43(g/L) while for

RS is7.38 ± 0.36(g/L) while for the serum biochemistry , the average value of the total serum

protein obtained for WAD is 5.41 ± 0.06(g/L) and RS is 5.77 ± 0.09(g/L); the value for

Albumin for WAD is 3.93±0.22(g/L) and for RS is 4.10 ± 0.18(g/L); the value of creatinine for

WAD is 0.61 ± 0.05(Umol/L4)and for RS is 0.79 ± 0.04(Umol/L4) and the value of total

cholesterol for WAD is 90.67 ± 6.62(mmol/L) and for RS is 87.29 ± 7.79(mmol/L). It was

concluded that blood profile of WAD and RS in this study were within normal range for either

breed raised in other locations.

CHAPTRE ONE

14

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The significance of determining haematological and biochemical indices of domestic animals has

been well documented (Oduye and Adadevoh 1976; Oduye and Otesile 1977; Obi and Anosa

1980) and changes in parameters have been studied in cattle (Ghergariu et al., 1984), sheep

(Kaushish and Arora 1977; Vihan and Rai 1987) and Red Sokoto goats (Tambuwal et al., 2002).

There is a great variation in the haematological and biochemical parameters as observed between

breeds of goats (Azab and Abdel-Maksoud 1999; Tambuwal et al., 2002) and in this regard, it

may be difficult to formulate a universal metabolic profile test for goats. These differences have

further underlined the need to establish appropriate physiological baseline values for various

breeds of livestock in Nigeria, which could help in realistic evaluation of the management

practice, nutrition and diagnosis of health condition.

Nigeria had the largest goat population (29.3million) in Africa (Devendra and Burns, 1970).In

the humid tropics of south west, goats are higher in number than sheep (Osinowo, 1992).

In tropical areas, goats are major source of income for farmers (Wilson et al., 1980). Goats have

advantage over other ruminants because they walk for long distance in search of feed and this

behaviour assist in meeting their nutrient requirement (Devendra and Mcleroy, 1982). The main

feed resources of animal are native grasses, legumes that occur naturally in grasslands,tree leaves

and crop residues.

Blood is an important index of physiological and pathological changes in an organism (Mitruka

15

and Rawnsley, 1977). It consists of plasma, blood cells (leukocytes and erythrocytes) and

platelets. It serves as a transport medium. It carries nutrients from the digestive, the end products

of metabolism from the cell to the organ of excretion, oxygen from the lungs to the tissue and the

secretion of the endocrine gland throughout the body.

The blood also helps to regulate body temperature, maintain a constant concentration of water

and electrolytes in the cells, regulates the body’s hydrogen ion concentration and defend against

micro-organism. Both the cells of the blood and its fluid component assist in these functions.

The cells called leukocytes defend the body. The erythrocytes contain haemoglobin which

transports oxygen and carbondioxide.The extracellular constituent includes water, electrolytes,

protein, glucose, enzyme and hormones. Maintenance of uniformity and stability in this

extracellular fluid is called homeostasis, in this environment cells function at their optimum.

1.1 JUSTIFICATION

In the last decade or two, the results on haematology and serum biochemistry on goats have been

obtained based on what they are fed with. The data available is on feeding trial using various

substances. This project therefore seeks to update baseline data on haematology and serum

biochemical parameters of bucks found in Abeokuta especially in the University of Agriculture,

Abeokuta.

1.2 OBJECTIVE

16

1.2.1 Broad objective

To determine the blood profile of West African dwarf and Red Sokoto bucks.

1.2.2 Specific objectives

To determine the haematological parameters of Red Sokoto and WAD bucks

To determine the serum biochemical parameters of Red Sokoto and WAD bucks

17

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Goat husbandry in the tropics

Goats (capra hircus) are homoeothermic mammals belonging to the order artiodactyles, sub-

order ruminant and family bovidae. The domestication of goats are considered to occur in the

mountain area of western Asia in the 7th and 9th millennium BC (Devendra and Burns, 1983).

They were first domesticated in the same region as sheep, for meat and milk production.

Approximately 94% of the total population of goats are found in developing countries; of these

32-90% are found in Africa, large population are found in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan,

counting for about 48% of the total population of the continent.

A livestock census put the population of goats in Nigeria at 34.5million (Osinowo, 1992).

Osinowo (1992) estimated the population Red sokoto goats in the country to be 16.28 million,

West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 14.62million and Sahel goats 1.62million.

Goats are reared in Nigeria mainly for meat. They are important in economic and socio-cultural

lives of Nigerian. They are widely scattered around human settlements in the forest and derived

guinea savanna zone of West Africa, south of latitude 140N and can be found roaming the towns

and villages of southern Nigeria. They are well known for their scavenging habits around the

compound of houses.

18

2.2 Breeds of goat in Nigeria

There are three major breeds of goats in Nigeria namely:

Sahel goat

Red Sokoto goat

West African dwarf goat

2.2.1 Sahel goat

The Sahel or the West African long-legged goats resemble the West African dwarf in coat colour

except for its long, twisted horn, long leg and its larger size. The ears are usually short and

horizontal, but sometimes moderately long pendulous. The horns are long flat and twisted in the

males and sickle shaped in the females. The coat is short and the commonest colours are white,

pied with black or brown or self coloured. The breed is adapted to the arid sub Saharan savannah

region and does not thrive well when taken to more humid area (Devendra and Burns, 1983)

2.2.2 Red Sokoto or Maradi goat

Red Sokoto goats are uniformly dark red in colour horned in both sex and short haired with short

horizontally damped ears (Adu et al., 1979)

19

They are physiologically adapted to the semi arid region. They are taller than West African

dwarf (WAD) goats but with shorter legs than the Sahel goats.

2.2.3 West African dwarf (WAD) goat

West African dwarf goats are found in large number within the rainforest area of southern

Nigeria. They can also be found in the sub-humid zone (Devendra and Burns, 1983). They have

strong set of short legs when compared with the others breeds common in the country (Red

Sokoto and Sahel goat). They are about 50cm in height and 10kg in weight at maturity. Their

coat colour is usually black, white, grey, brown, or mixture of these colours, they show some

resistances to trypanosomiasis. They are prolific and the breed is used mainly for meat, but it

also has dairy potentials.

2.3 Management systems of goats

Goat production is mainly in the hands of the subsistence farmers who keep them for their meat

and social-economic reasons. These animals are either herded all year round, left on free range

throughout the year or during the non-cropping season or tethering throughout the year or during

the cropping season. However, due to limitation on grazing land and financial resources majority

of farmers keep only small numbers ranging from one to ten (Ndamukong et al.,1987)

20

2.3.1 Common management system of goat in Nigeria

There are three main production systems for goat in Nigeria. These are

Extensive system

Semi-intensive system

Intensive system

Extensive system: Under this system, the goats are allowed to roam about in search of pasture

and water. They can thrive on any edible material and browse even in extreme condition of

drought and rain .They required very little care as no good housing, feeding and health care are

provided. Although the system is cheap, the animals are exposed to adverse weather conditions.

(Iwena, 2008)

Semi-intensive system: The goats are provided with house with protect them against adverse

weather conditions like heat, cold ,rain, etc. However, they are allowed to come out and graze in

the pasture which is fenced round the goat house. In some cases, feed is provided for the goats in

the house which includes grasses, household wastes and other remnants (Iwena, 2008).

Intensive system: This system is mostly used by research institutes. The goats are kept totally in

confinement. As a result of confinement, medications, water, balanced feed in terms of

concentrate, forage plants (soilage) as well as salt licks to provide the necessary minerals and

21

vitamin ns are provided. This system saves labour, increase production, maintains good records,

and reduced mortality (Iwena, 2008).

2.4 The products and by- products of goats

Meat

Milk

Hides and skin

2.5 Haematology and Serum biochemistry

Haematology is the branch of medicine devoted to the study of blood, blood-producing tissues

and diseases of blood. It is the scientific study of the nature, function and the diseases of blood

while serum biochemistry is the scientific study of (serum) the liquid portion of the blood. One

of the benefits of haematological studies is the application of the knowledge of the blood

characteristics to detect various blood diseases.

2.6 Haematological parameters

2.6.1 Packed Cell Volume (PCV)

Packed cell volume (PCV) refers to the column of packed cell erythrocytes measured in

millimeter and expressed as a percentage of the total volume. Normally, a direct relationship

22

exists between PCV and haemoglobin concentration (Kuo-Shil Jiang, 1986). PCV has

traditionally been determined by measuring the height of the red blood cell volume in micro-

hematocrit capillary filled with whole blood, after centrifugation. PCV is a directly measured

value, whereas, the hematocrit is the corresponding calculated value, calculated by multiplying a

red blood cell count with the erythrocyte volume (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.2 Haemoglobin

The red colour of blood is due to the presence of haemoglobin which is a complex of protein and

iron. Haemoglobin is an iron containing conjugated protein (Heme + globin) which has the

physiologic function of transporting oxygen and carbon (IV) oxide. Globin is the protein

component and heme is a non protein iron component (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.3 Red Blood Cell

The red blood cells (erythrocytes) carry haemoglobin in the circulation. They are biconcave disks

that are manufactured in the bone marrow. In mammals, they lose their nuclei before entering the

circulation. In humans, they survive in the circulation for an average of 120 days. The average

normal red blood cell count is 5.4million/µL in men and 4.8million/µL in women. There are

about 3 x 1013 red blood cells and about 900g of haemoglobin in the circulating blood of an adult

man. When an individual bleeds, haemoglobin synthesis is enhanced and production and release

of red blood cells from the bone marrow (erythropoiesis) are increased. Conversely, when the red

23

blood cell volume is increased above normal by transfusion, the erythropoietic activity of the

bone marrow decreases. These adjustments are brought about by changes in the circulating level

of erythropoietin, a circulating glycoprotein that contains 165 amino acids residues and for

oligosaccharide chains that are necessary for its activity in vivo. Its blood level is markedly

increased in anaemia (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.4 White Blood cells (WBC)

White blood cells (WBC) or leucocytes are cells of the immune system, defending the body

against both infectious diseases and foreign materials. Five different and diverse types of

leucocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone

marrow known as a haematopoietic stem cell. Leucocytes are found throughout the body

including the blood and lymphatic system. The number of WBCs in the blood is often and

indicator of diseases. There are normally between 4 x 109 and 1.1 x 1010 white blood cells in a

litre of blood, making up approximately 1% of blood in a healthy adult. An increase in the

number of leucocytes over upper limits is called leukocytes, such and a decrease below the lower

limit is called leukopenia (LaFleur-Brooks, 2008). Normally, human blood contains 4000 –

11000 white blood cells per micro litre. Of these, the granulacytes (polymorphonuclear

leukocytes, PMNs) are the most numerous. Young granulocytes have horse shoe – shaped nuclei

that become multi-lobed as the cells grow older. Most of them contain neurophilic granules

(neutrophils), but a few contain granules that stain with acidic dyes (eosinophils), and some have

24

basophilic granules (basophils). The other two cell types found normally in peripheral blood are

lymphocytes, which have very large round nuclei and scanty cytoplasm and monocytes which

have abundant granular cytoplasm and kidney – shaped nuclei. Acting together, these cells

provide body with powerful defence against tumors and viral, bacterial and parasitic infections

(Ganong, 2005).

2.6.5 Neutrophils

The average half – life of a neutrophil in the circulation is 6 hours. To maintain the normal

circulating blood level, it is therefore necessary to produce over 100 billion neutrophils per day.

Many of the neutrophils enter the tissue. They are attracted to the endothelial surface by

selectins, and they roll along it. They then bind firmly to neutrophil adhesion molecules of the

integrin family. The next insinuate themselves through the walls of the capillaries between

endothelial cells by a process called diapedesis. Many of those that leave the circulation enter the

gastrointestinal tract and are lost from the body.

Invasion of the body by bacteria triggers the inflammatory response. The bone marrow is

stimulated to produce and release large numbers of neutrophils. Bacterial products interact with

plasma factors and cells to produce agents that attract neutrophils to the infected area

(chemotaxis). The cell membrane bound enzyme, NADPH oxidase is activated with the

production of toxic oxygen metabolites. The combination of the toxic oxygen metabolites and

the proteolitic enzymes from the granules makes the neutrophils a very effective killing machine.

25

It is effective in killing invading organisms (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.6 Eosinophils

Like neutrophils, eosinophils have a short half – life in circulation, are attracted to the surface of

endothelial cells by selectins, bind to integrins which attach them to the vessel wall and enter the

tissues by diapedesis. Like neutrophils, they release proteins cytokines and chemokines that

produce inflammation but are capable of killing invading organisms. However, the selectins and

integrins have some selectivity in the way in which they respond and in the killing molecules

they secrete. They are especially abundant in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract where they

defend against parasites, and in the mucosa of the respiratory and urinary tracts. Circulating

eosinophils and increased in allergic diseases such as asthma and in various other respiratory and

gastrointestinal diseases (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.7 Basophils

Basophils also enter tissues and release proteins and cytokines. They resemble but are not

identical to mast cells; they contain histamine and other inflammatory mediators when activated

by histamine and are essential for immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. These range from

mild urticaria and shinitis to severe anaphylate shock (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.8 Monocytes

Monocytes enter the blood from the bone marrow and circulate for about 72 hours. They then

26

enter the tissues and become tissue macrophages. Their lifespan in the tissue is unknown, but

bone marrow transplantation data in humans suggests that they persist for about 3 months. It

appears that they do not re-enter the circulation. Some of them end up as the multinucleated giant

cells seen in chronic inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis. The tissue macrophages include

the Kupffer cells of the liver, pulmonary alveolar macrophage and microglia in the brain, all of

which come from circulation. In the past, they have been called the reticulo-endothelial system

but the general term tissue macrophage system seems more appropriate.

The macrophage becomes activated by lymphokines from T – lymphocytes. The activated

macrophage migrates in response to chemo tactic stimuli and engulfs and kills bacteria by

processes generally similar to those occurring in neutrophils. They also secrete up to 100

different substances, including factors that affect lymphocytes and other cells, prostaglandins of

the E. series, and clot – promoting factors (Ganong, 2005).

2.6.9 Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are the key elements in the production of immunity. After birth, some lymphocytes

are formed in the bone marrow. However, most are formed in the lymph nodes, thymus, and

spleen from precursor cells that originally came from the bone marrow and were processed in the

thymus or bursa equivalent. Lymphocytes enter the blood stream from the most parts via the

lymphatics. At any given time, only about 2% of the body lymphocytes are in the peripheral

blood. Most of the rest are in the lymphoid organs. It has been calculated that in humans, 3.5 x

27

1010 lymphocytes per day enter the circulation via the thoracic duct alone, however, this count

includes cells that enter the lymphatics and thus transverse the thoracic duct more than once

(Ganong, 2005).

2.7 Serum Biochemistry Indices

2.7.1 Total Serum Protein

The total protein, as its name implies, represents the sum total of numerous different proteins,

many of which vary independently of each other. The total serum protein must be measured

when performing an electrophoresis in order to calculate the concentration of each protein

fraction from its percentage. Aside from this situation, the determination of total serum protein

supplies limited information except in conditions relating to changes in plasma or fluid volume

such as shock, dehydration, possible over hydration and haemorrhage. The need for fluid is

revealed by an elevated serum protein concentration that shows haemoconcentration. It is also

useful to measure the total serum protein level when determining the calcium concentration

because the non-diffusible calcium fraction is bound to protein and varies directly as the serum

protein (Alex and LaVerne, 1983)

The concentration of total serum protein in normal adult ranges from 6.0 – 8.2g/dl. The values in

plasma are about 0.2 – 0.4g/dl higher because of the presence of fibrionage. The serum

concentrations in infants for the first three to four months of life are about 1.0g/dl lower than in

28

adult. The total protein concentration of serum is usually increased in patients with dehydration,

monoclonal disease (multiple – myeloma, macroglobulinemia, cyroglobulinemia) and in some

chronic polyclonal diseases (liver cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, systemic hepus, erythematosus, and

chronic infections). The serum total protein loss through the kidneys (nephritic syndrome), from

skin (severe burns), or gut (protein – losing enteropathies), or in failure of protein synthesis

(starvation, protein malnutrition, severe non-viral liver cell damage) (Alex and LaVerne, 1983)

2.7.2 Creatinine

It is a breakdown of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant

rate by the body. Chemically, creatinine is a spontaneously formed cyclic derivative of creatine.

Creatinine is chiefly filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, though; a small amount is actively

secreted by the kidneys into the urine. There is little-to-no tubular reabsorbtion of creatinine. If

the filtering of the kidney is deficient, blood level rises. Therefore, creatinine levels in the body

and urine may be used to calculate the creatinine clearance, which reflects the glomerular

filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is clinically important because it is a measurement of renal

function. However, in case of several dysfunctions, the creatinine clearance rate will be

“overestimated” because the active secretion of creatinine will account for a larger fraction of the

total creatinine cleared. (Delanghe et al.,1989). The amount of creatinine secreted daily is a

function of the muscle mass and is not affected by diet, age, sex, or exercise. It amounts to

approximately 2% of the body stores of creattinine phosphate and is roughly 1-2g/day for an

29

adult. Women excrete less creatinine than men because of their smaller muscle mass (Alex and

LaVerne, 1983).

2.7.3 Serum Albumin

The most well known type of albumin is the serum albumin. It is most common in blood serum

but it can also appear in other fluid compartments. Serum albumin is the most abundant blood

plasma protein. The human version is human serum albumin, and it normally constitutes about

60% of human blood plasma protein. Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia) may be caused by liver

disease, nephritic syndrome, burns, protein-losing enteropathy, malabsorption, malnutrition, late

pregnancy, artefact, genetic variations and magnancy. High albumin (hypoalbuminemia) is

almost always caused by dehydration. In some cases of retinol (vitamin A) deficiency, the

albumin level can become raised to high-normal values (ex: 4.9g/dl). This is because retinol

causes cell to swell with water. In laboratory experiments, it has been shown that all-trans

retinoic acid down regulates human albumin production (Gaull, 1984).

30

2.7.4 Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase/Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase

(SGOT/SAST)

Serum Aspartate Aminotranferase is found in practically every tissue of the body, including red

blood cells. It is in particularly high concentration in cardiac muscle and liver, intermediate in

skeletal muscle and kidney in much lower concentration in other tissues. The measurement of the

SAST level is helpful for the diagnosis and following of cases of myocardial infarction,

hepatocellular disease and skeletal muscle disorders. In trauma or in diseases affecting skeletal

muscle, after a renal infarct and in various haemolytic conditions (Alex and LaVerne, 1983).

2.7.5Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase/Serum Alanine Aminotransferase

(SGPT/SALT)

The concentration of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase in tissues is not nearly as great as for

Serum Aspartate Aminoferase. It is present in moderately high concentration in liver, but is low

in cardiac and skeletal muscles and in other tissues. Their uses for clinical purpose are primarily

for the diagnosis of liver diseases and resolve some ambiguous increase in serum Alanine

Aminotransfase in cases of suspected myocardial infarction. When both enzymes (i.e. Alanine

Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase) are elevated in serum, the liver is the primary

31

source of the enzymes (liver ischemia because of congestive heart failure or other sources of

liver cell injury). If the serum Aspartate Aminotransferase is elevated while the serum Alanine

Aminotransferase remains within normal limit in case of suspected myocardial infarction, the

results are compatible with myocardial infarction (Alex and LaVerne, 1983).

2.7.6 Serum Total Cholesterol

Cholesterol, the principal body sterol is a complex alcohol formed of four fused rings and a side

chain. It is a solid at body temperature. It is present in all tissues and can be converted by

adrenals and the gonads into steroid hormones. The cholesterol present in all membranes

including those of lipoproteins is always non-esterified (free), it is stored in cells and in the lipid

core of lipoprotein as cholesterol esters. Humans ingest cholesterol when the diet contains meat,

dairy products or eggs. Plants do not contain cholesterol although they do have closely related

sterols. Most cholesterols in the body is synthesized from acetyl Co A but this varies inversely to

some extent with the cholesterol content of the diet. Excess dietary cholesterol over a period of

time slowly increases esters in the liver. 70-75% of the cholesterol in plasma is esterified with a

long chain unsaturated fatty acid. Cholesterol, a normal constituent of serum may rise to vary

high levels in some pathological state. An elevated serum cholesterol concentration has been

implicated as one of several risk factors in coronary artery disease, so, the measurement of serum

cholesterol concentration is a fairly common laboratory procedure. Approximately 60% of the

total cholesterol in male plasma is carried by the low density lipoprotein (LDL), 22% by high

32

density lipoprotein (HDL), 13% by very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and 5% by

chylomicrons (Alex and LaVerne, 1983).

2.7.7 Serum Triglyceride

Most of the fatty acids in the body are esterified with glycerol as triglycerides and are stored in

the depots (adipose tissues) as fats. Triglycerides are formed in adipose tissues by esterification

of fatty acids with glycerol – 1 – phosphate, which arises in the adipose cell from the catabolism

of glucose via the glycolytic pathway. Glucose, thus, must be present in the cell for triglyceride

formation. It is absent during fasting, starvation or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and in these

conditions, hydrolysis of triglycerides and withdrawal of their fatty acids from the depot

predominate. Excess carbohydrates ingested during a meal may be stored temporarily as

triglycerides after the conversion of glucose to fatty acids. The hormone insulin, promotes the

synthesis of triglycerides by adipose cells while its deficiency accelerates triglyceride hydrolysis.

Serum contains about 1.0mg/dl of glycerol, which s equivalent to approximately 10mg/dl of

triglyceride. The concentration of serum triglyceride concentration is one of the risk factors in

ischemic heart disease; elevated serum values are not unusual in individuals with atherosclerosis

or with a history of myocardial infarction. The serum (or plasma) is usually turbid or milky when

the triglycerides are elevated. The plasma triglyceride concentration is low in the rare disease,

(α-β lipoprotein) alpha-beta lipoprotein (Alex and LaVerne, 1983).

33

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Experimental site

The experiment was carried out at the ruminant units of the Teaching and Research Farm

Directorate (TREFAD) and Animal Physiology Laboratory,College of Animal Science and

Livestock Production (COLANIM), University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

3.2 Experimental animals

Twenty-nine goats comprising of fifteen West African dwarfs and fourteen Red Sokoto bucks

which were bled by venipuncture using hypodermic needle and syringe. The blood samples were

collected and drawn into tubes containing ethylenediamine tetra acetate (EDTA) - an anti-

coagulant and another set of remaining blood samples were collected in plain tubes for

haematology and serum biochemistry respectively .The blood samples were labeled and taken to

the laboratory for analysis.

3.3 Methodology

3.3.1 Method of haematology

The haematological parameters determined were:

34

Haemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, packed cell volume. Mean

corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin

concentrations were derived.

The packed cell volume was determined by using microhaematocrit method.

The erythrocytes count, leukocyte count and differencials were determined by using model F

coulter electric cell counter (Mitruka and Rawnsley, 1977).

The haemoglobin was determined by using gasometric method (Mitruka and Rawnsley, 1977).

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): It is the volume of the average red blood cell of the given

sample. It is determined by using this formulae:

Hematocrit x 10 = MCV in µ3

RBC in Millions/mm3

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH): It is the amount of haemoglobin by weight in the

average red blood cell of the sample blood. It is determined by using this formulae:

Hb in g/100 ml Blood x 10 = MCH in micromicrograms (µµg)

RBC in Millions/mm3

35

Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC): It is the proportion of the haemoglobin

(w/v) contained in the average red cell of the sample of blood. It is determined by using this

formula:

Hb in g/100 ml Blood x 10 = MCHC in %

Haematocrit

3.3.2 Method of serum biochemistry

The blood samples in the plain tubes were centrifuged at 3500g in 15 minutes to separate the

serum from the blood and the serum was removed from the plasma by using pipette into plain

tubes for serum biochemistry. The serum biochemical parameters determined were total protein,

albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, Alanine transaminase-ALT and Aspartate

transaminase-AST.

The cholesterol was determined by spectrophotometric method using Liebermann-Buchard

reagent (Abel,et al.,1959)

The creatinine was determined by spectrophotometric determination of alkaline creatinine picrate

reaction method (Taussky, 1954).

The total protein was determined by spectrophotometric determination of coloured complex with

cu2+ in alkaline solution method (Henry,et al.,1957).

The albumin was determined by densitometer scanning method (Kohn, 1957, 1958).

36

The alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were determined by

spectophotometric linked reaction method (Henry et al., 1960).

3.4 Stastical analysis

Data were analyzed using completely randomized designed as contained in SAS (SAS, 1999)

37

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Results

Table I and II show the results of haematological and serum biochemical values of West African

Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) bucks respectively. The parameters determined for

haematology include packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (HB), Red blood cell (RBC),

White blood cell (WBC) and differential (monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils)

Packed cell volume value for WAD is 24.33% and for RS is 21.93%. Haemoglobin value for

WAD having an average value of 8.11 g/l and RS with 7.38 g/dl. Red Blood Cell value for WAD

having an average value of 7.22(1012/L) and RS with7.30 (1012/L)

White blood cell (WBC) value for RS is 11.26(109/L) and for WAD is 8.76(109/L) .The White

blood cell differencial-neutrophils values obtained for WAD is 39.46% and for RS is 38.50%.

The WBC differential-lymphocyte for WAD is 53.60% and for RS is 57.28%. With WBC

differential-monocytes value obtained for RS is 2.64% and for WAD is1.33% .WBC differential-

eosinophils value obtained for WAD is 2.06% and for RS is 1.71%.

38

Total protein values obtained for RS is 5.77g/L and for WAD is 5.41g/L. Albumin value

obtained for WAD is 3.93g/L and for RS is 4.10g/L .Globulin values for WAD is 1.48g/L and

for RS is 1.67g/L. Cholesterol value for WAD is 90.67 mmol/L and for RS is 87.28mmol/L.

Triglyceride value for WAD is 439.98 mmol/L and for RS is 445.92 mmol/L. The creatinine

value obtained for RS is 0.79 Umol/L4 and for WAD is 0.61 Umol/L4 .Serum Aspartate

Aminotransferase (SAST) value obtained for WAD is 33.11 IU/L and for RS is 48.47 IU/L.

Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) value for WAD is 16.61 IU/L and for RS is18.42 IU/L.

39

Table I: Haematological parameters of WAD and Red Sokoto bucks

PARAMETERS WAD RED SOKOTO

PCV (%)

n=15

24.33 ± 1.28

n=14

21.93 ± 0.99

HAEMOGLOBIN (g/L) 8.11 ± 0.43 7.38 ± 0.36

RED BLOOD CELL (1012/L) 7.21 ± 30.03 7.30 ± 63.79

LEUCOCYTES ( 109/L) 8.76 ± 0.33 11.13 ± 100

LYMPHOCYTES (%) 53.6 ± 3.36 57.29 ± 3.78

NEUTROPHILS (%) 39.46 ± 3.89 38.50 ± 3.76

MONOCYTES (%) 1.33 ± 0.21 2.64 ± 0.19

MCHC (%) 33.33 33.65

MCV (µ3) 33.74 30.00

MCH (µµg) 11.25 10.00

PCV-P acked cell volume

MCHC-Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin concentration.

MCV-Mean corpuscular volume

MCH-Mean corpuscular haemoglobin

40

Table II: Serum Biochemical Parameters of WAD and Red Sokoto bucks

PARAMETERS WAD

n=15

RED SOKOTO

n= 14

TOTAL PROTEIN(g/L) 5.41 ± 0.06 5.77 ± 0.09

ALBUMIN(g/L) 3.93 ± 0.22 4.10 ± 0.18

GLOBULIN(g/L)

CHOLESTEROL(mmol/L)

1.48 ± 0.38

90.67 ± 6.62

1.67 ± 0.43

87.29 ± 7.79

TRIGLYCERIDES (mmol/L) 439.98 ± 68.06 445.92 ± 52.92

CREATININE (Umol/L4) 0.61 ± 0.05 0.79 ± 0.04

AST ( IU/L) 33.11 ± 5.23 48.48 ± 5 .82

ALT (IU/L) 16.61 ± 2.25 18.42 ± 1.47

AST-Aspartate Transaminoferase

ALT-Alanine Transaminoferase

41

4.2 DISCUSSION

The result obtained for packed cell volume (PCV) for Red Sokoto is not in agreement with

results obtained for Red Sokoto goats as reported by Tambuwal et al.,( 2002) and the value

obtained for West African Dwarf also is not in agreement with result for normal male goats

reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977). They reported significantly higher values that

obtained in these studies for either species.

Haemoglobin (Hb) value obtained for Red Sokoto is not in agreement with result obtained for

Red Sokoto goats as reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002) and the value obtained for West

African Dwarf is in agreement with result for normal male goats reported by Mitruka and

Rawnsley (1977). The value of Red blood cell obtained for West African Dwarf is not in

agreement with result obtained for normal male goats as reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley

(1977) and the value obtained for Red Sokoto also is not in agreement with result for Red Sokoto

reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002). White blood cell value obtained for WAD is in agreement

with result for normal male goats reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977) and the value

obtained for Red Sokoto also is in agreement with result obtained for Red Sokoto goats as

reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002).The value of lymphocytes obtained for Red Sokoto is not

in agreement with the result obtained for Red Sokoto goats as reported by Tambuwal et al.,

(2002) and the value obtained for WAD is in agreement with result for normal male goats as

reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977). The neutrophils value obtained for Red Sokoto is in

42

agreement with result obtained for Red Sokoto goat as reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002) and

the value obtained for WAD also is in agreement with result for normal buck as reported by

Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977). Monocytes value in this study for WAD is in agreement with

result obtained for normal male goats as reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977) and the value

obtained for RS is not in agreement with the result for Red sokoto as reported by Tambuwal et

al., (2002). The eosinophils value for WAD is in agreement with result obtained for normal male

goats as reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977) and the value for RS is not in agreement with

result for Red sokoto as reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002).

The value of MCHC for West African Dwarf is in agreement with result obtained for normal

male goats as reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977) and the value for Red Sokoto is not in

agreement with result obtained for Red Sokoto as reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002).The

results obtained for MCV and MCH for WAD is not in agreement with results obtained for

normal male goats as reported by Mitruka and Rawnsley (1977).

The total protein and albumin values obtained for WAD in this study are in agreement with the

values reported by Altman and Ditter (1971, 1974); Kaneko and Cornelius (1972) , the value of

total protein for RS is within the values reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002) but the value of

albumin for RS is higher than the value reported by Tambuwal et al., (2002) .Globulin values

obtained for WAD in this study is in agreement to the values reported by Altman and Ditter

(1971, 1974); Kaneko and Cornelius (1972).Cholesterol and creatinine values for WAD in this

43

study agreed to the values reported by Albritton (1952);Spector (1961); Altman and Ditter (1971,

1974); Kaneko and Cornelius (1972). Aspartate Transaminase and Alanine Transaminase values

for WAD are in the range reported by Albritton (1952); Spector (1961); Altman and Ditter

(1971, 1974); Kaneko and Cornelius (1972) for normal goats.

44

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

From the present study, it can be concluded that,

The haematological parameters for WAD and Red Sokoto bucks obtained fall within the

normal range for bucks

The biochemical indices obtained for WAD and Red Sokoto bucks also fall within the

normal range for bucks

The observed differences in WAD and Red Sokoto further support the fact that the

physiological parameters reported may be due to nutritional and environmental effect

5.2 Recommendation

Based on the finding from this research, it is recommended that;

More research should be carried out on the blood profile of WAD and Red Sokoto bucks

with respect to age and physiological status.

More research should be carried out on blood profile of Red Sokoto and WAD does.

45

REFERENCES

Abel, L. L., Levy, B. B., Brady, B. B. and Kirwall, F.E.19589. Standard methods of clinical

chemistry, Vol 2.Academic press, New York.

Adu, I.F., Buvanendran, V. and Lakpini, C. A. M.1979. The reproductive performance of Red

Sokoto in Nigeria. Journal of Agric.sci.Cambr.93:563-567

Albritton, A.B.1952. Standard values in Blood. W. B. Saunder, Philadelphia,

Alex, K and LaVerne, L. S. 1983. Clinical chemistry: Interpretation and techniques, 2nd edition.

Seattle, Washington. Pp156-339

Altman, P. L and Dittmer, D. S. 1971. Blood and Other Body Fluid Washington D.C., Fed Am

Soc for Exptl Biol.

Altman, P. L and Dittmer, D. S. 1974. Blood and Other Body Fluid Washington D.C., Fed Am

Soc for Exptl Biol.

Azab, M. E and Abdel-Maksoud, H. A. 1999. Changes in some haematological and biochemical

parameters during pre-partum and post-partum periods in female Baladi goats. Small

Ruminant Research, 34: 77-85.

Delanghe ,J; De Slypere J ;De Buyzere, M; Robberecht,J;Wieme,R;Vermeulen,A.1989. “Normal

reference values for creatinine” .Clinical Chemistry 35(8):1802-3

46

Devendra, C. and Burns, M. 1970. Goat production in the tropics. Technical committee

Commonwealth Bureau. Animal Breeding and Genetics. Farnhern Royal, UK. Pp183

Devendra, C. and Burns, M. 1983. Goat production in the tropics. 2nd edition Commonwealths

Agric. Bureau, London. Pp 64-73

Devendra, C and Mclleroy, G.B. 1982. Goat and sheep production in the tropics. Intermediate

Tropical Agricultural series, Longman, London. Pp 55

Ghergariu , S, Rowlands ,G .J, Danielescu, A. L, Pop, N and Moldova, A .1984. A comparative

study of metabolic profiles obtained in dairy herbs in Romania. British Veterinary

Journal 140:600-608.

Ganong, W. F .2005. Review of Medical Physiology 22nd edition Mcgraw Education,Asias.Pp

459:516-532

Gaull, 1984. ”Protective effect of taurine, zinc and tocopherol on retinol induced damaged in

human lymphoblastoid cells” Journal of Nutrition 15 (2): 205-235

Henry, R. H., Sobel, C. and Berkman, S. 1957. On the determination of pancreatitis lipase in

serum. Clinical Chemistry 3:77

Henry, R. J., Chiamori, N., Golub, O. J, and Berkman, S.1960. Revised spectrophotometric

method for determination of glutamic-oxalatic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic

47

transaminase and lactic acid dehydrogenase. Am. J. Clinical Patho.34:381

Iwena, O. A. 2008. Essential Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary School, 6th edition.

Tonad Publishers LTD, Ogun, Nigeria. Pp100-101

Kaneko, J. J and Cornelius, C. E. 1972. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. Vol. I,

Second Edition, New York, Academic Press.

Kaneko, J. J and Cornelius, C. E. 1972. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. Vol. II,

Second Edition, New York, Academic Press.

Kaushish, S. K and Arora, K .L .1977. Studies on reproduction in sheep: Blood and plasma

contents before and after parturition in Nali Sheep-Haryna Veterinarian. 16 (2): 74-77.

Kohn, J., 1957.A cellulose acetate supporting medium for zone electrophorensis. Clin Chim

Acta.2:297

Kuo-Shii-Jiang.1986. Effect of dietary cellulose and xylan on absorption and tissue cellulose of

zinc and copper in rats, Journal Nutri.116:999-1006

LaFleur-Brook, M. 2008.Exploring Medical Language: A student Approach, 7th edition. St.

Louis, Missouri, USA: Mosby Elsevier. Pp 398

Mitruka, B. M and Rawnsley, H. M.1977. Clinical biochemical and haematological reference

values in normal experimental animals. Massion publishing, U.S.A. Pp 42-47

48

Ndamukong, K. J. N, Sewel, M. M. H and Asani, M. F. 1987. Productivity of sheep and goat

under three management system at Bamendia, Cameroon. Tropical Animal Health,

19:237-244

Obi, T .U and Anosa, V. O. 1980. Haematological studies of domestic animals. IV: Clinico

haematological features of bovine trypanosomiasis, theileriosis, anaplasmois,

epertherozoonosis and helminthiasis. Zenntralblatt Fur Veterina Medizin Relhe. 27

(17): 789-797.

Oduye, O. O and Adadevoh,. B. K .1976. Biochemical values of apparently normal

Nigerian sheep. Nigerian Veterinary Journal 5(1): 43-50.

Oduye, O. O and Otesile, E .B .1977. Studies on the canine anaemia in Ibadan. Journal of Small

Animal Practice. 18, 429-443.

Osinowo, O.A.1992.Livestock sub-sectional review: Working paper on small rumimant.

Mimeograph.Pp10-14

SAS Institute. 1999. SAS User’s Guide:Statistics.Version 6.03edition.SAS Institute,Inc.,Cary.,

NC.USA

Tambuwal, F .M, Agale, B. M and Bangana, A .2002. Haematological and Biochemical values

of apparently healthy Red Sokoto goats. Proceeding of 27th Annual Conference Nigerian

Society of Animal Production (NSAP), March, 17-21, 2002, FUTA, Akure, Nigeria.

49

pp.50- 53.

Taussky, H.H.1954. A micro colorimetric determination of creatinine in urine by Jaffe reaction.

J. Biol. Chem.208:853.

Wilson, L. L. Katsigianis, T. S. Dorsett, A. A and Grave, A.G.1980.Performance of Native and

Anglo-Nubian crosses and observation on improved pastures for goats in Bahamas.

Tropic Agric, Trinidad.57:187-190