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Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

DOI

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Abstract

In this study some blood parameters and the effects of age, sex, housing system and pregnancy of Tuj sheep that have been bred in the Kars region of Turkey were researched and compared. The various blood parameters including the amount of haemoglobin, haematocrit value, erythrocyte and leukocyte count, and the differential percentage of white blood cells were determined from blood taken intravenously. The haemoglobin and erythrocyte values were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 5-7-month-old Tuj sheep grazing in an open field than in 2-3-month-old male Tuj sheep feeding in a closed system. The erythrocyte count was found to be higher in 2-3-month-old female Tuj sheep in comparison to males. The haemoglobin, leukocyte and haematocrit values were also higher in this group of animals, though this was not statistically significant. The erythrocyte, leukocyte, haemoglobin, haematocrit values and differential percentage of white blood cells were not different in 5-7-month-old male and female Tuj sheep grazing in an open area. The erythrocyte number decreased after parturition in respect to the oestrus and pregnancy period. This decrease was statistically significant. The erythrocyte values were 10.2 x 10^6 /mm^3 before oestrus, 9.5 x 10^6 /mm3 during pregnancy and 8.2 x 10^6 /mm^3 after parturition. The haemoglobin value decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during pregnancy. The leukocyte number was found to be less during pregnancy in comparison to other periods; it was 7.7 ± 1.9 x 10^3 /mm^3 during pregnancy, 9.3 ± 1.9 x 10^3 /mm^3 before oestrus, and 9.7 ± 2.5 x 10^3 /mm^3 after parturation. The lymphocyte percentage increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the pregnancy period.

Keywords

Tuj sheep, haematological parameters, age, housing, pregnancy

First Page

521

Last Page

524

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