Effect of Drinking Saline Water on Physiological, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Blackhead Ogaden Sheep and Somali Goats

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of drinking saline water on the physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters of sheep and goats in Ethiopia. A total of 100 male growing and mature Blackhead Ogaden sheep and Somali goats with average initial body weights of 18.17 ± 0.5 and 22.22 ± 0.52 kg and 17.99 ± 0.50 and 21.99 ± 0.54 kg, respectively, were used. The design of the experiment was a three‐way factorial with completely randomized block design with three‐factor combinations (five treatment levels, two species and two age groups). Water treatments were Lake Basaka water (control); low saline water (LSW), moderate (MSW), high (HSW) and very high (VHSW), with NaCl, added to Lake Beseka water at concentrations of 7.95, 11.93, 15.90 and 19.88 g of total dissolved solids per litter (TDS/L). The physiological and blood parameters of the experimental animals were measured. The results show that rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the H and VHSW groups. RT and RR also showed significant differences between species and age groups. Haemoglobin (Hb) and PCV levels were higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Increasing drinking saline water significantly reduced the concentration of glucose, total protein, albumin and triglycerides but increased the concentration of BUN, creatinine, ALT and AST. Glucose, albumin, and triglycerides were significantly higher (p < 0.05), while BUN, creatinine, ALT and AST concentrations were lower in sheep and mature animals than in goats and growing animals. Except for sodium and potassium, all blood electrolytes did not significantly differ within the treatment. Sodium and calcium significantly varied (p < 0.05) between species and age groups. The results indicated that drinking saline water above 11 g TDS/L affected the physiological and blood parameters of Somali goats and Blackhead Ogaden sheep. A Study revealed that sheep and mature animals performed better than goats and growing ones.