Age and seasonal-associated changes in the blood profiles of Kalahari Red and Kalawad goat bucks in the tropical climate
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Abstract
Background and Objective: Goat breeds possess unique adaptive traits shaped by their environments. Under tropical conditions, climate variability imposes stress that alters hematological and biochemical responses, potentially compromising animal health and reproductive efficiency. This study assessed the effects of age and seasonal variation on hematological and serum biochemical indices in Kalahari Red (KR) bucks and their crossbreds (Kalawad, KW) under semi-intensive tropical management.
Methodology: A total of 42 bucks (KR = 21; KW = 21) were assigned to three age groups (1< age ≤2, 2< age ≤3, and 3< age ≤4 years) and evaluated across four seasons (early/late rainy and early/late dry) in a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial design. Animals were managed under uniform nutritional conditions for one year. Monthly blood samples were collected to analyze erythrocytic, leukocytic, and serum biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA.
Main Results: Age significantly influenced all hematological and biochemical indices (P < 0.05) except glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine. Breed had significant effects only on red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and globulin. Seasonal effects were evident in all red blood cell differentials, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts, while white blood cell and other differentials remained unaffected. Age and season also significantly influenced serum protein fractions and cholesterol levels, with the highest cholesterol means observed during the early rainy season at age >3 to ≤4 years. Triglyceride remained largely unaffected.
Conclusions: Age, breed, and season exert significant but variable influences on blood parameters in KR and KW bucks under tropical conditions. These findings highlight the importance of physiological monitoring for managing health and reproductive performance and provide reference values for selection and clinical assessments in heat-stressed environments.
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