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

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.     

Comparative Assessment of the Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility and of Haematological and Plasma Biochemical Values in the Nigerian White Fulani and N'dama Breeds of Cattle

The blood profiles of the Nigerian White Fulani and N'dama breeds of cattle were compared. The White Fulani cattle had a significantly higher haemoglobin concentration (p<0.001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (p<0.05), plasma sodium (p<0.02), total protein (p<0.01), albumin (p<0.01) and globulin (p<0.02), but lower neutrophil counts (p<0.01) and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes than the N'dama cattle. The plasma potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume, and the erythrocyte, leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts were similar in the two breeds.     

Determination of haematological reference intervals in healthy adult greyhounds

Objective : The purpose of this study was to establish breed‐specific reference intervals for haematological measurands in non‐racing greyhounds. Suitability of the data for partitioning according to sex was also examined. Methods : Haematological data were collected from 304 healthy non‐racing greyhounds and analysed using non‐parametric methods. Results were compared with non‐breed‐specific canine reference intervals and also with greyhound reference intervals obtained by other investigators. Results : Compared with non‐breed‐specific reference intervals, the results showed comparable mean and upper limit and higher lower limit for erythrocyte count; higher values for haemoglobin, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume; and lower values for total leucocyte count and absolute concentration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and platelets. Partitioning according to sex was recommended by the statistical analysis for all analytes except haematocrit and total leucocyte count. Clinical Significance : In this study the reference intervals were derived from a large sample size. The results are in general agreement with previous reports, although higher values for low reference limits have been noted for the erythroid parameters, and lower values for upper reference limits have been observed for the total and different leucocyte counts. Breed‐specific reference intervals provide a useful clinical tool for haematological evaluations.     

Haematology of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Blood samples from 30 2‐week‐old unsexed chicks, 25 adult males, 30 non‐laying hens and 19 laying hens were examined to characterise haematological norms in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) under various physiological conditions such as age, sex and laying. Young quail had significantly lower erythrocyte counts, packed cell volumes, haemoglobin content, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations, numbers of thrombocyte::, percentages of lymphocytes and plasma protein levels than did the adult males and the non‐laying hens. The total leucocyte count of the young birds was not significantly different from that of the males and just different from that of the non‐laying hens. The young birds also showed a higher mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and percentages of heterophils and monocytes in comparison with the adult males and the non‐laying hens. A comparison between males and females showed that males had a higher erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin content and a lower concentration of plasma proteins than the adult females. Excepting for an elevated relative count of eosinophils, no influence attributable to laying was observed.     

Effect of gender and exercise on haematological and biochemical parameters in Holsteiner horses

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of exercise of average intensity in the haematological and biochemical values, as well as acidic resistance of erythrocytes in mares and stallions of Holsteiner breed. A total of seventeen horses of Holstein breed (seven mares and 10 stallions aged 6 years) were used in this study. The blood samples were assessed for haematocrit (HCT) value, haemoglobin concentration (HGB), the amount of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), platelets (PLT), leucogram, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), red cell distribution width (RDW) and platelet distribution width (PDW). Serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as oxidative stress biomarkers were analysed. Stallions showed a significant increase in leucocytes and granulocytes amount, as well as erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels after exercise test. Pre‐exercise level of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was higher in stallions. At the same time, mares showed significant decrease in platelet volume after exercise test. Physical effort in stallions leads to significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase activity. Trained mares and stallions showed a decrease in lipid peroxidation after exercise. Exercise also caused increase in oxidative modified protein of erythrocytes in stallions indicating by exercise‐induced oxidative stress. The resistance of erythrocytes in 0.1 m HCl was similar between females and males. No statistically significant differences in the percentage of haemolysed erythrocytes before and after exercise were observed.     

Changes in blood cellular components, serum proteins and serum enzyme activities in pigs naturally infected with Cysticercus tenuicollis

A study was made of blood cellular components, serum proteins and serum enzymes in 48 pigs naturally infected with Cysticercus tenuicollis. Twenty-five healthy pigs were studied for comparison. Affected animals showed a reduction in total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin content and an increase in mean corpuscular volume and total leucocyte count. Significantly higher activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and isocitric dehydrogenase serum enzymes were recorded in all affected pigs. Total protein, albumin and globulin values of affected pigs remained unchanged when compared with healthy controls.     

Reference values of the red blood profile in beagle, German shepherd and golden retriever puppies

In the present study, blood samples were taken from clinically healthy puppies of the breeds Beagle, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever between days 1 and 3 (n = 146), 8 and 10 (n = 137), 28 and 33 (n = 151), and 50 and 58 (n = 129) post natum. Measurements for red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were performed by a semi-automatic blood cell counter; the normoblast number was counted visually. Between the 1st and 3rd day of life, the erythrocyte number of the puppies was 4.57 +/- 0.68 10(6)/microliter and, as such, was clearly below the reference range for adult animals. It further decreased by the 2nd measurement (8th to 10th day of life) to 3.59 +/- 0.41 10(6)/microliter, and then increased again to 4.75 +/- 0.68 10(6)/microliter (reference range: 3.73-6.25 10(6)/microliter, 2.5% to 97.5% percentile) by the final measurement (50th to 58th day of life). The measurement values of the haemoglobin concentration (13.5 +/- 2.0 g/dl) and haematocrit (41.0 +/- 6.5%) after birth were only insignificantly below or around the lower limit of the reference range for adult animals. Both parameters decreased to a more pronounced extent than did the erythrocyte count. They reached a minimum of 8.4 +/- 1.0 g/dl and 26.8 +/- 3.2%, respectively, between the 28th and 33rd day of life. Even at the end of the examination period (50th to 58th day of life), the values of these parameters (10.1 +/- 1.1 g/dl, reference range: 7.5-11.8 g/dl; 32.1 +/- 4.2%, reference range: 24.8 to 40.8%) were remarkably lower than the minimum of reference range for adult dogs. At the 1st sampling (between 1st and 3rd day of life), MCV (89.8 +/- 6.7 fl) and MCH (29.6 +/- 1.9 pg) were distinctly higher than the reference values for adult dogs. Both parameters decreased with increasing age. Thus, from the 50th-58th day of life, the results were comparable to those of adults. No considerable age dependence was found for MCHC. During the first days of life a relatively high number of normoblasts (8 +/- 7/100 Leukozyten) was found; it decreased rapidly. The study revealed significant differences between the breeds, e.g. German Shepherd dogs had lower initial values of erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, and haematocrit when compared to the other breeds. Puppies of this breed also had higher normoblast numbers than the Beagle and Golden Retriever puppies at the 2nd and 3rd samplings. No clear sex differences in the studied parameters were observed. The results of this study reflect the replacement of fetal erythrocytes by postnatal erythrocytes. Moreover, they illustrate the need to use age as well as breed-specific reference ranges.     

Studies on some paraclinical indices on intoxication in horses from freshly cut Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)-contaminated maize intended for ensiling

Monitoring of changes in some blood laboratory parameters in 34 horses after ingesting freshly harvested maize that was to be used for ensiling, heavily contaminated with young Datura stramonium plants, is described. For a 7-day period the following parameters were monitored: haemoglobin content (HGB), red blood cell counts (RBC), white blood cell counts (WBC), haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), differential white cell counts (DWC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), protein fractions, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), blood glucose (Glu), total protein (TP), globulin (Glob) and albumin (Alb). The intoxication was accompanied by erythrocytosis, leukocytosis, regenerative left shift neutrophilia, lymphopaenia, eosinopaenia, increased haematocrit values, low erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hyperglycaemia, bilirubinaemia, hypoproteinaemia and increased activity of AST and LDH. No changes occurred in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), albumin, globulin and globulin fractions (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2 and gamma). The blood parameters returned to normal between post-intoxication days 2 and 5. The observed changes in clinical chemistry indices could be used in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis of Jimson weed intoxication.     

Haematological and serum biochemical values of southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica)

Blood samples were taken from 75 free-ranging southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) captured in drive-nets in Catalonia, north-eastern Spain, and 20 haematological and 24 serum biochemical variables were analysed. The values were similar to those of other species of the Caprinae subfamily, except for cortisol, the concentration of which was higher. The red blood cell count (RBC), platelets and leucocytes, and the concentrations of cortisol, lactate, muscular enzymes and gamma-globulins were higher in summer than in spring, whereas the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and the concentrations of cholesterol, total bilirubin and creatinine were lower. Adult males had higher RBCs and haemoglobin values than females in summer, and lower leucocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts than females and yearling males. The concentrations of triglycerides, total bilirubin, lactate, creatinine, urea, chloride and alpha2-globulins were higher in adult males than yearling males. In summer the adult females had higher values for platelets, lymphocytes, cortisol, sodium and muscular enzymes.     

Dynamics of basic hematologic values in ewes during the course of a year

Basal hematological values were studied in ten primiparous ewes of Merino breed at 15 time intervals in the period from birth to the last decade of the next gravidity. The mean erythrocyte counts ranged from 6.5 to 10.3 T . l-1, hemoglobin content from 101.3 to 121.3 g per l, hematocrit value from 0.32 to 0.37 1 per l, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration from 29.97 to 34.22 g per dl, mean corpuscular hemoglobin from 11.17 to 16.61 pg, corpuscular volume from 35.03 to 55.37 fl. The mean leucocyte counts were from 4.98 to 9.93 G . l-1, with 25.8 to 60.5% neutrophil granulocytes with segmented nuclei, 0.1 to 2.6% neutrophil granulocytes with rodlike nuclei, 0.8 to 8.7% eosinophil granulocytes, 0.0 to 0.33% basophil granulocytes, 30.3 to 71.2% lymphocytes and 0.4 to 4.5% monocytes. The quality of red blood component was not negatively influenced by a high degree of gravidity. In the time of parturition, neutrophil granulocytes highly dominated over the other types of white blood cells; the counts normalized since the seventh day post partum. Although statistically significant differences were calculated for some time intervals, the values were within the physiological limits.     

Haematological and biochemical measurements in healthy, adult, free-ranging golden jackals (Canis aureus syriacus) held in captivity

Blood from 31 healthy, free-ranging golden jackals held in captivity for seven days was collected while they were anaesthetised. Haematological and serum biochemical measurements were analysed and the 95 per cent confidence interval for each variable was compared with the reference value for domestic dogs. The measurements of their red blood cells were within the reference interval for dogs, but the jackals had higher white blood cell counts and eosinophil counts than dogs. The male jackals had a higher haematocrit, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and a lower red blood cell distribution width than the female jackals. High activities of muscle enzymes were detected in many of the jackals, in several of which the activity of creatine kinase exceeded 5000 U/l; these were considered abnormal.     

Effects of vitamin E, age and sex on performance of Japanese quail. 1. Haematological indices and liver function

1. A trial was conducted to examine the effects of dietary vitamin E content, age and sex on haematological indices and liver enzymes of Japanese quails. A total of 800 1-d-old quail chicks were assigned at random into 4 equal groups and fed on starter and layer diets containing 0, 1, 5 or 10 times the NRC recommended supplements of vitamin E. No selenium was added to the basal deficient diets; the other diets were supplied with 0.2 mg selenium/kg diet. 2. The investigation covered the age span of 3 to 12 weeks in female and male birds. Blood samples were collected at 3-week intervals and tested for haematological indices (erythrocyte count; leucocyte count; susceptibility of erythrocytes to haemolysis; haemoglobin concentration (Hb); packed cell volume (PCV); and mean corpuscular volume (MCV)) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase, AST, and glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px). 3. The significant differences between the 4 dietary treatments indicated that as the levels of selenium and/or vitamin E increased, the percentage of erythrocytes haemolysed and AST activity decreased, whereas Hb and GSH-Px concentrations increased. 4. Differences between age groups showed that older quails had higher erythrocyte susceptibility to haemolysis, higher AST levels and but lower erythrocyte count and PCV. 5. Females had lower erythrocyte haemolysis and higher Hb concentrations than males. 6. The interaction between dietary groups and age groups revealed that the differences between age groups were reduced as the level of selenium and/or vitamin E increased, leading to similar group means over the age period of study. 7. In conclusion, NRC recommended supplements of vitamin E (12 and 25 mg/kg diet) were not adequate. Doses equal to, at least, 5 times that recommended were advised to improve GSH-Px (index of antioxidant status) and Hb concentrations.     

Studies on Normal Haematological and Serum Biochemical Values of the ‘Hijin’ Racing Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Kuwait

Haematological estimations and serum biochemical analyses were made on 100 samples collected from clinically healthy Hijin racing camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Kuwait. The red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and total white blood cell counts were estimated. In the serum biochemical analyses, sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, total protein and cholesterol concentrations were measured, as were the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase activities. The results are discussed in relation to other findings reported in camels.     

Haematological profile of crossbred dairy cattle to monitor herd health status at medium elevation in Central Himalayas

Haematological profile-haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total erythrocytes count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte indices-mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were studied in crossbred dairy cattle (Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal) under various physiological states: non-pregnant heifers (NPH), pregnant heifers (PH), empty dry cows (EDC), pregnant lactating cows (PLC), medium yield early lactating cows (MYELC) and high yield early lactating cows (HYELC) during summer and winter seasons at 1700 metres altitude from mean sea level in the Central Himalayas. On comparison of annual means, the highest values of Hb and PCV were recorded in PH and of TEC in NPH, whereas the lowest values of these parameters were found in EDC. The Hb and TEC tended to decrease with increasing milk yield. Comparison of annual means of erythrocyte indices revealed the highest MCV and MCH in EDC, which simultaneously showed the lowest MCHC. Significant seasonal variations in haematological profile were recorded. The overall group mean (OGM) of Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.01) during summer whereas the TEC and PCV showed higher OGM (P < 0.01) during the winter season.     

The effect of pregnancy order on various biochemical and hematological values in sows]

The following blood indices were determined in the blood of 34 pregnant sows of the Large White breed under standard feeding conditions: haemoglobin, haematocrit, leucocytes, and--in the blood serum, --total protein, glucose, urea, bilirubin, cholesterol, enzyme activity (AP, GOT, GPT, GGTP) and mineral concentrations (Ca, P--inorg., Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn). The blood was sampled in the first and third pregnancy at an average live weight of 165.12 and 197.36 kg, at an average age of 318 and 630 days and at an about the same average length of pregnancy in the time of both samplings (59 days). In younger, still growing gilts (first pregnancy) a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower content of total protein, magnesium, iron and copper was revealed, as compared with adult sows. The content of glucose, calcium, potassium and manganese in the blood serum of the gilts was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than in sows in their third pregnancy. The adult sows showed a significantly (P less than 0.05) lowered activity of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, as distinct from gilts.     

Selected haematological and plasma chemistry parameters in juvenile and adult degus (Octodon degus)

Thirty-five juvenile (mean age 6.3 weeks) and 35 adult (mean age 2.0 years) healthy degus (Octodon degus) were studied to investigate selected haematological and plasma biochemistry parameters. Animals were anaesthetised with isoflurane, and blood was withdrawn from the cranial vena cava. Erythrocyte, haematocrit and neutrophil counts (including the percentage of neutrophils) were significantly higher in the adult degus than in the juveniles. In contrast, the reticulocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, number of platelets and percentage of lymphocytes were significantly lower in the adult animals. Total protein and globulin levels were significantly higher in the adult degus. The albumin:globulin ratio and plasma levels of urea nitrogen, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, potassium, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus were significantly lower in adults than in juveniles.     

棉酚对家兔部分血像的影响

在兔饲料中添加柿子饼20％，使柿酚含量为0．0264％，饲喂15只本地健康杂交家兔，25天后出现明显中毒现象。在此期间，每隔7天斗静脉采血测定部分血像。结果表明：随着实验期的延长，溶血现象增加，红细胞脆性增加，血沉增加。血红蛋白含量上升，红细胞数减少。血色指数呈上升趋势，最高值为1.53。白细胞数有下降趋势，其中嗜酸性、中性、嗜碱性白细胞数减少，而淋巴细胞和单核细胞数增加。     

Advanced Onset of Puberty in Gilts of Thrifty Genotype (Iberian Pig)

The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed of the Mediterranean area, reared extensively in the central and southern areas of Spain and Portugal and that is known worldwide for the production of Iberian ham. The characteristics of the Iberian ham are related to its abundance of intramuscular fat, owing to the high capacity of the pig to accumulate fat under its skin and between the muscular fibres. This ability to store excess fat enables survival during periods of scarcity and it has been found in other antique animal breeds and even in humans, being named as the thrifty genotype. The reproductive management of the Iberian pig, in spite of a lack of accurate information unlike in other swine breeds, is based on the assumption of lower reproductive precocity and efficiency than the modern commercial breeds. The current study characterized and compared the onset of puberty in gilts of Iberian breed and meat commercial crosses (Large White × Landrace) reared in the same conditions by assessing weekly plasma progesterone profiles. At the end of the experimental period, when the gilts became 180 days old, the percentage of Iberian females that had reached puberty was 72.2%, with a mean age and weight of 160.5 ± 2.6 days and 92.9 ± 4.7 kg, respectively. The percentage of Large White × Landrace cross‐breed females reaching puberty at 180 days was only 15% (p < 0.05). The mean age and weight were 165.0 ± 4.1 days and 107.8 ± 2.2 kg (p < 0.05), respectively. Thus, converse to the traditional assumption, onset of puberty was advanced in Iberian gilts. These results are important for the reproductive management of the Iberian pig but, at the same time, may set the basis for future studies on the metabolism–reproduction link and, specifically, on the possible relationship between earlier accumulation of fat and attainment of puberty.     

Relationship among ovarian follicular status,developmental competence of oocytes,and anti‐Müllerian hormone levels: A comparative study in Japanese wild boar crossbred gilts and Large White gilts

The aim of this study was to investigate the ovarian follicular development, developmental competence of oocytes, and plasma anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels of Japanese wild boar crossbred (wild hybrid) gilts, whose litter size is inferior to that of European breeds. Ovary and plasma samples were collected from two different breeds of gilts (wild hybrid and Large White breeds). The ovaries from the wild hybrid gilts had a lower average numbers of secondary follicles and vesicular follicles in ovarian cross‐sections and of good quality oocytes collected from ovarian follicles as compared with those from Large White gilts (p < 0.05). The development rate to the blastocyst stage of good quality oocytes after in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture was also lower (p < 0.05) in wild hybrid gilts than in Large White gilts. Plasma AMH levels with >0.16 ng/ml were detected in 8.3% of the examined wild hybrid gilts and 33% of the Large White gilts. These results indicate that the low reproductive performance of wild hybrid breed may result in part from low numbers of vesicular follicles and good quality oocytes, and low developmental competence of oocytes. Moreover, plasma AMH levels may support low number of vesicular follicles in ovaries of wild hybrid gilts.     

Erythrocyte agglutination associated with heparin treatment in three horses

In vitro erythrocyte agglutination developed in 3 hospitalized horses receiving heparin treatment. The agglutination caused artifactual decreases in erythrocyte counts and increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values. Treatment of cell suspensions with trypsin eliminated the agglutination and the changes in erythrocyte count and MCV. Similar abnormalities in erythrocyte counts and MCV have been reported in healthy horses treated with heparin and have been cited as evidence of hemolysis and regenerative anemia.