The comparative haematology of cross-bred and indigenous East African goats of Tanzania and breeds reared in Denmark

Abstract

Erythrocyte counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell indices, total and differential leukocyte counts were determined in 202 cross-bred and 14 indigenous East African goats aged 6-12 months and also in 59 Norwegian dairy goats, of which 24 were 15-45 days old, 8 were 8 months old and 27 were over 3 years and pregnant. These were reared in Tanzania. Comparisons were made with 24 Dwarf and 57 Danish Landrace goats at 6-12 months of age and 76 adult pregnant Danish Landrace goats reared in Denmark. The purpose was to determine reference ranges for cross-bred and indigenous East African goats and to compare these with those of other breeds. The haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte and white blood cells were lowest in the Norwegian kids. The highest values were observed in 6-12-month-old goats in all the breeds, whereafter they decreased to relatively constant adult levels. The mean corpuscular volumes were highest in kids followed by adult pregnant Norwegian and Danish Landrace goats, and lowest in 6-12 months old goats. East African and cross-bred goats had the smallest mean corpuscular volumes. The haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts were highest in indigenous East African, followed by young Norwegian and cross-bred goats. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was highest in the cross-breds, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin was higher in pregnant than in other goats. The age and breed differences were statistically significant.

Serum Copper and Haematological Values of Sheep of Different Physiological Stages in the Dry and Wet Seasons of Central Trinidad

“…Animals in sequential studies are usually managed under experimental conditions such as similar diets and adequate anthelmintic control which was not controlled in this study. The anemia found in pregnant and lactating sheep is also probably related to an increase in plasma volume in late gestation and to milk yield changes in early lactation [3, 14, 20]. Also, mild acanthocytosis observed in a low percentage of sheep maybe an occasional finding characteristic of sheep or may be dietary related [25].…”

“…Regarding age and physiological stage, one study in sheep and another in goats demonstrated higher Hb and PCV values in lambs and kids at 6–12 months of age compared with values in pregnant sheep and goats [13, 14]. However, Hb values and PCV values, sequentially monitored in goats and sheep during pregnancy and onwards, generally reflect a rise in these values in late gestation followed by a decline in the periparturient period and a further decline in early lactation [15–17].…”

“…Thus, higher WBC and lymphocyte counts are found in kids less than 12 months of age compared with values in adult goats [14, 21]. Additionally, total WBC may be elevated in late pregnancy in sheep [22] and goats [23] because of an ACTH-related hormonal stress reaction.…”

“…Additionally, total WBC may be elevated in late pregnancy in sheep [22] and goats [23] because of an ACTH-related hormonal stress reaction. Eosinophilia and sometimes basophilia in growing and adult animals may be indicative of an allergic response to recent parasitic infection [14]. …”

Pituitary Acidophil Macroadenoma in a Pygmy Goat (Capra Hircus Hircus)

“…intervals for pygmy goats had not been established for the laboratory performing the testing). 4,8 The goat was treated with laxatives, oral surfactants, an anthelminthic, intravenous fluids, and glucose supplementation. Neither clinical improvement nor defecation were observed.…”