Breeds, Age and Sex Effect On Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Ducks in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate breeds, age and sex effect on haematological and biochemical profiles of ducks. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) day old ducklings of two breeds (60 Muscovy and 60 Mallards) were used for the study. The ducks were divided into four (4) groups centered on the breeds and sexes designated as Muscovy males, Muscovy females, Mallard males and Mallard females. At 4 and 8 weeks, blood samples were collected from the experimental group and analysed. The experiment was 2 × 2 × 2 factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design with two breeds (Mallard and Muscovy), sex and age. Results obtained showed significant effect (P < 0.05) of breeds on Packed Cell Volume, Haemoglobin, Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells, Platelets, Total Proteins, Albumin, Globulin and Tryglycerides while no significant effect of breeds (P > 0.05) was observed on Urea, Creatinine and Glucose in the two breeds of ducks. Result indicated that Muscovy recorded higher values for Haemoglobin (10.35 ± 0.52g/dl) and RBC (4.62 ± 0.24 × 1012/ L) than Mallard which recorded Haemoglobin (10.10 ± 0.62 g/dl) and RBC (4.43 ± 0.27 × 1012/ L). Significant effects of Sex and age (P < 0.05) were observed on haematological and biochemical profiles. It is therefore concluded that the two breeds of ducks studied can be successfully raised in Rivers State, Nigeria without adverse effect on their health since their haematological and biochemical values compared favorably with standard reference values. Values obtained in this investigation could also serve as a baseline data of these breeds in humid tropical environment.

Comparative Studies on Blood Serum Profiles of Liver Enzymes, Proteins, Total Bilirubin and Liver Organ Morphometry of Muscovy Ducks

“…According to Rath et al (2019) and Santos et al (2019), female ducks recorded significantly higher albumin values than the males which may be attributed to reproductive physiological processes. This is in conformity with the results of this study, however, Ologbose and Dick (2021) did not observe any significant sex effect on albumin concentration of Muscovy ducks. These authors posited that differences in age, blood collection procedures, animal housing and nutrition may account for differences in blood albumin values.…”

“…Serum total proteins are considered important blood parameters because these estimates are indicative of immune status of the species due to antibody fractions contained in them (Rath et al, 2019). The significantly higher total protein concentration observed in female ducks from this study agreed with the findings of Ologbose and Dick (2021) and Okeudo et al (2003) for Muscovy ducks. Orji et al (1986) and Verma et al (1975) also corroborated this observation in adult guinea fowls and domestic chickens respectively.…”