Analysis of genetic and non- genetic factors affecting haematology and biochemical parameters of Nigerian indigenous sheep

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of genetic (breed) and non-genetic (sex, age) factors on hematological
and serum biochemistry profile of indigenous sheep. A total of ninety four (94) sheep from four
indigenous breeds of Nigerian sheep were obtained from Niger Delta region of Nigeria. These
comprised of 30 West African Dwarf (WAD), 16 Uda, 8 Balami and 40 Yankasa. For haematological
and serum parameters, breed, sex and age had influence on the indigenous sheep. The mean value for
Uda breed was observed to be superior in PCV, Hb and RBC. However, WAD breed had highest
values among the breeds for both MCV and MCH parameters while MCHC all had similar values
recorded among the breeds. Furthermore, AST (Aspartate aminotransferase and ALT (Alanine
aminotransferase) had superior values in Uda and Yankassa that had similar values respectively.
Values for urea were within similar range for Uda and Balami and were ranked the highest among the
breeds. Total protein was superior in WAD sheep and Balami were ranked highest in Mg.
Furthermore, haematological profile and serum biochemistry profile were superior in male gender for
PCV, Hb, RBC, Neutrophil, Eosinophil, total protein, calcium, phosphorus and Alkaline phosphatase.
The mean value at age 4 had highest mean value for PCV, Hb, RBC, platelet, Alkaline phosphatase
and Alanine aminotransferase respectively, while calcium was ranked the highest at age 6 years. WBC
recorded highest value for Uda breed at age 2 while superior value for platelet was recorded for WAD
at age 6. Neutrophil also recorded value with similar range among Uda at age 4, Uda at age 2 and
Balami at age 6 years which were ranked superior among the interaction effect. The mean value for
lymphocyte was highest in Balami and Uda at age 6 respectively while Balami at age 4 was ranked
highest for eosinophil. Mg and Phosphorus were ranked highest in Uda at age 2 while Yankassa was
highest in albumin. However, total protein was highest in WAD at age 4 while creatinine was highest
for Balami at age 6 and Uda at age 2. Balami at age 2 had superior mean value for urea while WAD
at age 2 was highest for calcium. Uda breed of sheep at age 4 had the highest value for ALT and AST
parameters respectively. This further stipulated that breed, sex and age had influence on indigenous
sheep and thus, deliberate effort should be put in place to ameliorate the changes