Variations in Platelet Count and Total Protein in Relation to Differences in Sex, Age, Breed and Reproductive Status of Goats during the Cold-Dry Season (Harmattan)

Abstract

o 12' N, longitude 7 o 33' E, and altitude of 610m above sea level. The health status of the goats was evaluated based on behaviour, rectal temperature, appetite and faecal consistency. Only clinically healthy animals were used for the AbstractThis study aimed at evaluating the effect of sex, age, breed and reproductive status on platelet count and total protein, and also to demonstrate the relationship between the two variables in goats during the cold-dry season. At the peak of the cold-dry season, 56 male and female goats belonging to Red Sokoto (n=28) and Sahel (n=28) as well as 14 Red Sokoto goats in the last trimester of gestation (n=7) and early lactation (n=7) were sampled and results statistically analysed. The results revealed that the platelet count was significantly (P<0.05) higher in kids, bucks, Red Sokoto and pregnant goats, while blood total protein was significantly lower (P<0.05) in kids, bucks, Red Sokoto and pregnant goats. In addition to this inverse relationship, a significantly negative correlation (P<0.005; r=-0.330) was observed between platelet and blood total protein.It was concluded that sex, age, breed and reproductive status markedly influenced platelet count and blood total protein in an inverse manner with a negative correlation between the two variables in goats exposed to a season with low ambient temperature. More studies are needed to directly establish and understand the relationship between platelet count and blood total protein on exposure to low ambient temperature so as to explore its effect on animal health, particularly during the peri-partum period and its benefit in individuals with haemostatic challenges. Keywords

Reference values of essential haematological parameters in Damascus does and bucks throughout the year

“…There was an effect of both sex and season on PLT counts. Overall mean for Platelets Counts reached 750 ± 319.8 x 103/mm 3 , ranging from 175 to 1766 x 10 3 /mm 3 , in males 820 ± 313 while in females 715 ± 3.7 x 10 3 /mm 3 with significant difference between them, which is in agreement with Habibu et al (2017b) between males (265.6 x10 3 /mm 3 ) and females (190.4 x10 3 /mm 3 ) Red Sokoto and Sahel goat breeds in Nigeria. In addition, there was a significant difference in the PLT counts between winter (males 1159, females 1125 x10 3 /mm 3 ) and summer (males 584, females 418 x10 3 /mm 3 ) months (Figs.…”