Effect of age on haematological and serum biochemistry of Sokoto gudali breed of cattle under extensive management.

Abstract

The knowledge of age estimation, haematological and biochemical variables are tools used as medical decision through anamnesis, clinical diagnosis and animal health status. The effects of age on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Sokoto Gudali breed of cattle under semi-intensive management in Ilorin, Nigeria.forty apparently healthy cattle were used for the study, 10 per age group. Ages of cattle were determined using already established records and compared with Sokoto Gudali local breeds available in Ilorin. Blood samples were aseptically collected for serum and further analyzed within 24h for selected blood chemistry. Data from haematological and biochemical studies were analysed for the effect of age on PCV,RBC count, Hb concentration , MCV,MCH, and MCHC, total protein, albumin, Ca2+, P4 , Mg2+, HCO - , and Cl- using one way-ANOVA with p < 0.05 considered significant. The results showed that the age had effect on dentition vis-à-vis the ages of eruption for central (I1), intermediate (I2), lateral (I3) and corner (I4) incisors are 2yrs, 3yrs, 4yrs and 5yrs respectively. After 5yrs, incisors start wearing and age estimation becomes difficult, with less significant influence on the haematological parameters, total protein and albumin, while calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and chloride significantly(p <0.05) increased with age and phosphorus significantly (p>0.05) decreased with age in these breed of cattle under extensive management. It was concluded that the results obtained may serve as reference values for Sokoto Gudali breed of cattle under extensive management within Ilorin and its metropolis for the farmers and the researchers.