Haematological reference intervals of sows at end gestation in ten French herds, the impact of parity on haematological parameters and the consequences on reproductive performance

Background Changes in haematological values occur during the reproductive cycle. In veterinary swine practice, haematological reference intervals for this period are scarce. Over past decades, there has been a remarkable increase in reproductive prolificacy, possibly making previously established haematological reference intervals for sows outdated. Objectives The aim of this study was to provide updated haematological reference intervals for sows at end-gestation, to study the influence of parity on those haematological parameters and to evaluate the impact of haemoglobin levels on production performance. Methods The data presented in this article were obtained using blood samples from 198 apparently healthy and conventionally managed group-housed sows at end-gestation from ten breeding herds located in France. The samples were analysed for haematological variables using impedance technique on Horiba ABX analyser (Horiba, Kyoto, Japan). The reference intervals were calculated according to the guidelines of The American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology using SUMMARY procedure in R Studio. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) models were used to evaluate the influence of parity on each haematological parameter and the impact of haemoglobin values on production performances at farrowing. Differences were considered as significant if p < 0.05. Results Reference intervals produced in this study were similar to previously published references but we noticed marked differences in white blood cell values. The study of the impact of parity revealed significant changes for gilts and parity 5 + sows regarding haematological values. Gilts had higher red and white blood cells counts, haemoglobin values and haematocrit values. Regarding haemoglobin values, the higher the number of liveborn and weaned piglets per litter, the lower the haemoglobin value at end-gestation. For sows of fifth or higher gestation, we found that the higher the percentage of stillborn piglets, the lower the haemoglobin value at end-gestation. Conclusions This study provides haematological reference intervals for sows at end-gestation. These will be useful for swine veterinarians and researchers for a better understanding of the influence of parity on haematological parameters and haemoglobin values and their relation to reproductive performance.

Haemoglobin Type, Haematology and Morphometric Characteristics of Muscovy Ducks Reared in Calabar, Nigeria

This study determined the haemoglobin polymorphism, haematology and morphometric characteristics of Muscovy ducks. A total of 80 adult Muscovy ducks (40 per sex) respectively were used for the study which lasted 60 days. Blood samples of the ducks were collected and analysed for haemoglobin type and haematological traits while body weight (BWT) and body parts such as body girth (BG), wing length (WL), keel length (KL), shank length (SL), body length (BL), thigh length (TL) and Body circumference (BC) were taken and subjected to one –way ANOVA. Drakes exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher values in body girth, body length and thigh length than the ducks. Average values recorded were BWT (2040 g), BC (30.43cm), KL (25.75cm), BL (25.78cm) and TL (4.85cm). Haemoglobin types found among the ducks were Hb AA, AB and BB, males being predominantly of Hb BB and females of Hb AA. Gene frequencies of 0.5435 and 0.4565 were recorded for alleles A and B respectively among the ducks. Genotype frequencies were AA (39.14%), AB (30.43%) and BB (30.43%). Some average haematological values recorded were Packed Cell Volume (PCV) (29.86%), Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate (ESR) (7.34mm/hr), Haemoglobin Concentration (HBC) (11.93g/dl), Red Blood Cell Counts (RBC) (2.4 × 106/L) and White Blood Cell (WBC) (1.98 × 103/L). Results of body morphometry from this research could serve as an important basis for characterization, conservation and improvement of this duck breed in the study location. The establishment of the haemoglobin types of ducks in Calabar is a precursor to the determination of its relationship(s) with economic traits in the birds. Haematological values recorded in this study showed that the ducks were in normal condition of health and growth.

Effects of Feeding Diets Containing Pearl Millet Supplemented with Enzyme on the Carcass and Haematological Values of Broiler Chicken

Pearl millet, which is comparable to maize in terms of its metabolizable energy content is an identified potential replacement for maize in broiler diets. However, as the competition and price of maize continues to spike, the continuous need to completely replace maize in broiler diets is imperative. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of feeding diets containing pearl millet supplemented with enzyme NatuzymeTM on the carcass characteristics and haematological values of broiler chickens. 150 two weeks-old broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 birds per pen translating into 10 birds per replicate and fed an isonitrogenous (23%CP) starter diet of control diet (A); 0% (B); 10% (C); 20% (D); 30.01% and (E) 37.41 % pearl millet. Similarly, an isonitrogenous (21%CP) finisher diet of control diet (A); 0% (B); 10.64% pearl millet (C); 21.28% (D); 31.92% and (E) 39.27 % of pearl millet for 6 weeks. The birds were randomly allotted to the diets in a completely randomized design with feed and water given ad libitum. With the exception of drumstick of birds fed diet D which was significantly lower than the other diets, the results showed that the carcass values (parameters) of broilers fed 100% pearl millet were similar or non-superior to the control group and the other diets. Similarly, blood parameters were not significantly different between groups. These results show that pearl millet supplemented with enzyme can replace maize in broiler diets without affecting carcass yields and haematological parameters.

HAEMATOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE GUINEA FOWL (Nurmida meleagris Pallas): 1. EFFECT OF AGE, SEX ,k ND TIME OF BLEEDING OF THE HAEMATOLOGICAL VALUES OF GUINEA FOWLS.

The blood profile and the effects of age, sex and time of bleeding on the parameters were investigated in a 2x 2x 2 factorial experiment using twenty four guinea fowls (Numida meleagrs paths). The results show­ed that erythrocytes values were 2.43+0.04x 106/mm3, t packed cell volume, 37.44%; haerno0obin concentration (gm %), 13.17; etythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/fir) 1.69; length of red blood cell, 12.89 microns width of P.BC, 6.63 microns, leucocyte count, 22.18+0.64x1031mrn3 and clotting time, 7.30 min. Sex anu sometimes age, time of bleeding and their interactions had signi­ficant effect on these haematological values. Correlations between these were calculated.

Effects of Tetraselmis chuii Microalgae Supplementation on Ergospirometric, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Amateur Soccer Players

This study aimed to analyse the effects of Tetraselmis chuii (TC) microalgae supplementation during thirty days on ergospirometric, haematological and biochemical parameters in amateur soccer players. Thirty-two amateur soccer players divided into a control group (CG; n = 16; 22.36 ± 1.36 years; 68.36 ± 3.53 kg) and a supplemented group (SG; n = 16; 22.23 ± 2.19 years; 69.30 ± 5.56 kg) participated in the double-blind study. SG ingested 25 mg of the TC per day, while CG ingested 200 mg per day of lactose powder. Supplementation was carried out for thirty days. The participants performed a maximal treadmill test until exhaustion. The ergospirometric values at different ventilatory thresholds and haematological values were obtained after the test. Heart rate decreased after supplementation with TC (p < 0.05). Oxygen pulse, relative and absolute maximum oxygen consumption increased in SG (pre vs. post; 19.04 ± 2.53 vs. 22.08 ± 2.25; 53.56 ± 3.26 vs. 56.74 ± 3.43; 3.72 ± 0.35 vs. 3.99 ± 0.25; p < 0.05). Haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin increased in SG (pre vs. post; 15.12 ± 0.87 vs. 16.58 ± 0.74 p < 0.01; 28.03 ± 1.57 vs. 30.82 ± 1.21; p < 0.05). On the other hand, haematocrit and mean platelet volume decreased in SG (p < 0.05). TC supplementation elicited improvements in ergospirometric and haematological values in amateur soccer players. TC supplementation could be valuable for improving performance in amateur athletes.