ABSTRACT

monthly variations in the blood profile of lactating West African Dwarf (WAD) ewes were

itored in a 12-week study. The ewes, in their first parity, were raised intensively and housed

arately together with their individual lambs, in cement floored pens. The dams were fed 1 kg

'ard of forage as well as 0.6 kg supplementary concentrate diet, daily. The forage sward

nsisted mainly of Panicum maximum while the 14.61 crude protein concentrate diet was

rmulated from Maize offal, Wheat offal, palm kernel cake, one meal and common salt. Blood

mples were collected monthly from each dam for a period of three months and analyzed for

'd components. The haematological parameters determined were white blood cell (WBC),

blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular

•emoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) while the

chemical parameters included albumin, creatinine, total protein, blood glucose and urea.

esults showed that all haematological parameters investigated were influenced (p<O.05) by

ionths of lactation. WBC values (x 10) were significantly higher (p<O.05) in the first three

ionths of lactation relative to the value (1622.2) recorded in last month of pregnancy. The

respective values were 8841.25, 9087.50 and 9317.92 for first, second and third months' post-

'rtum. Similarly, PCV values (%) were significantly higher (p<O.05) in the first three months

(.83, 37.50, 38.83) of lactation relative to the value of 25.67 recorded in the last month of

gnancy. However, red blood cell concentrations (x 106) were similar (p>0.05) in first and

h. rd months of lactation (12.77) and this differed significantly (p<0.05) from value of 10.10

obained in the second month of lactation. Haemoglobin profile (g/dl) followed similar trend as

PC with respective values of 13.13, 9.78 and 13.13 recorded in the 1

st 2nd and 3' months of

tation. MCV (fi), MCH (pg) and MCHC (g/dl) determinations did not follow any pattern of

tribution within the first 3 months of lactation; values obtained were however within normal

ige for sheep. Biochemical values also differed significantly (p<O.05) but however did not

1ow any consistent trend in the months following parturition. Nevertheless, blood creatinine and

urea (mg/dl) concentrations increased and decreased significantly (p<O.05) from 1.09 and 35.50

respectively in the last month of pregnancy to 1.97 and 19.44, 1.33 and 14.87 and 1.49 and

16.87, in the first 3 months' post-partum. The values of haematological and biochemical

parameters obtained in the study were normal for sheep indicating that the lactating ewes were in

good nutritional status, this underscores the need for pregnant dams and indeed in-ewes to be

subjected to good nutritional regimen pre-partum. This ensures adequate nourishment for dams

postpartum and subsequently into early, lactation.