Comparative studies on erythrocyte sialic acid levels in apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species

Abstract

The erythrocyte surface sialic acid levels of 200 apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species (pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens, n = 50 for each species) presented for slaughter at a poultry abattoir in Zaria, Nigeria was determined. Other parameters determined were packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total protein (TP) concentration. The mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 7.88 +/- 2.51, 14.6 +/- 2.51, 17.6 +/- 2.51 and 14.2 +/- 2.51 mg mg(-1) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of all the species of poultry sampled (P < 0.05). The high erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration in the indigenous Nigerian poultry species could be responsible for their resistance to infectious diseases, whose aetiologic agents produce neuraminidases. The mean PCV of the pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 46.22 +/- 6.91, 38.24 +/- 6.91, 36.50 +/- 6.91 and 36.46 +/- 6.91% respectively. The difference between the mean PCV values of pigeons on the one hand and guinea fowls, ducks and chickens on the other was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A negative correlation (r = -0.36, P < 0.05) between mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentrations and PCV was observed, i.e. the birds with the highest mean PCV values had the lowest levels of erythrocyte surface sialic acid. There was no correlation between TP concentration and either erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration or PCV values. It is suggested, based on this study, that erythrocyte sialic acid types in these species should be determined, as the results may be vital in selective breeding.

Haematological changes in Isa-brown laying chickens (<i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i>) experimentally infected with velogenic Newcastle disease virus

“…The findings of no significant changes in all their erythrocytic parameters are in agreement with the reports of Useh et al (2005). Immnunized birds in general tolerate acute blood loss well.…”

Comparative analysis of sialic acid levels in the colostrum and milk of ruminants: possible role in the passive immunity against neonatal infections

“…Sialic acid has been reported to provide genetic resistance against bovine trypanosomiasis (trypanotolerance) in Ndama cattle (Esievo et al . 1986) and resistance of indigenous Nigerian poultry species to Newcastle disease virus infection (Useh et al . 2006).…”

Effect of Plasmodium species infections on packed cell volume of domestic chickens and helmeted guinea fowls in north eastern Nigeria

“…The PCV range in healthy domestic chickens was 22 -35 % (Jain, 1993). In Nigeria, the mean PCV reported for domestic chickens ranged from 24.4 ± 0.3 to 36.5 ± 9.6 % (Oyewale, 1987;Oladele and Ayo, 1999;Oladele et al, 2000;Useh et al, 2005;Odunsi et al, 2007). The exotic and indigenous chickens had their mean values in the lower and upper limits, respectively.…”