Effect of age, breed and sex on haematological and blood biochemical parameters in helmeted guinea fowl ( Numida meleagris )

This study evaluated the effect of age, breed and sex on haematological and blood biochemical parameters in helmeted guinea fowl. Haemoglobin concentrations increased (P <  0.05) with age from 8 to 24 weeks, so did total WBC counts. The total RBC counts (1.89 ± 0.05 versus 1.64 ± 0.05 × 1012/L), PCV (37.04  ± 0.77 versus 33.47 ± 0.76%), and WBC counts (3.51 ± 0.15 versus 2.57 ± 0.14 × 109/L) were higher (P <  0.05) in the indigenous than those in the exotic helmeted guinea fowls. Furthermore, basophil counts were higher (P <  0.05) in the female than those in the male guinea fowls. The 16-week-old guinea fowls had higher (P <  0.05) total protein, albumin, globulin and total cholesterol levels than the 8- and 24-week-olds. Also, birds at 24 weeks old of age had higher (P <  0.05) uric acid levels than those at 8 and 16 weeks. Indigenous guinea fowls recorded higher (P <  0.05) albumin (29.87 ± 0.96 versus 27.08 ± 0.95 g/L), total cholesterol (4.79 ± 0.14 versus 2.99 ± 0.14 mmol/L) and creatine kinase (40.60 ± 1.06 versus 30.30 ± 1.04 μ/L) concentrations than their exotic counterparts. Uric acid and potassium levels were rather hi gher (P <  0.05) in the exotic helmeted guinea fowls than those in the locals. Also, protein and sodium levels were higher (P <  0.05) in females than those in males. The results demonstrate that age, sex and breed are ...
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research