EFFECT OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN TWO NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS GOAT BREEDS IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated the Haematological variations in two-Nigerian indigenous goat breeds reared under controlled conditions for ten weeks at the Teaching and Research Farm, the Federal University of Technology, Akure. A total of 36 goats comprising 18 West African Dwarf (WAD) and 18 Red Sokoto breeds were procured and used for the study. They were made of 9:9 male to female ratio for each breed. Each breed was further divided into 3 replicates at 6 goats per replicate which were then divided into equal sexes of 3:3 per replicate. The goats were acclimatized for 21 days and then distributed according to experimental layout. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected from 24 randomly selected goats at 12 for each breed via venipuncture. Data generated were subjected to 2x2 factorial analysis of variance using SPSS 2023. Results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) for the effect of breed, sex and their interaction in all haematological parameters except basophils. The WAD goats had higher erythrocytes and lower basophils that may enhance oxygen transport and resilience against parasitic infections while Sokoto Red goats exhibited a stronger immune response through elevated leucocytes. It was concluded that both goat breeds possessed unique immunological advantages as most indigenous animals for their hardy nature. It was recommended that the genetic constitution of these animals be conserved and utilized for their improvement through strategic selection and breeding programmes to retain the unique traits of both breeds for sustainable goat production in Nigeria.