The Association of Serum and Forage Copper Levels and Blood Values of Grazing Goats of Different Physiological Stages Pertaining to Location in the Dry and Wet Seasons from Central Trinidad

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine hematological values of 153 grazing goats, pertaining to physiological stage, in the late dry and late wet seasons of Central Trinidad. Goats had lower (P<0.01) haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) values in the wet than in the dry season. 41% of goats in the wet season exhibited a non-regenerative anaemia (Hb<80 g/L; PCV<0.22 L/L; reticulocyte count <1%). At one particular farm location lowest forage and serum copper levels and an accompanying highest incidence of non -regenerative anaemia was observed. Also, hemoglobin and packed cell volume values varied (P<0.001) including lymphocyte (P<0.001) counts among growing goats compared with other physiological stages. Significant variations occurred among these stages in the white blood cell count (P<0.05) in goats. A moderate basophilia and eosinophilia was found in both seasons in goats. Highest haemoglobin and packed cell volume, white blood cell counts and lymphocyte values in growing goats compared with other stages was probably age related. Copper supplementation including adequate anthelmintic control is recommended for the prevention of anaemia and to optimize goat and sheep production of Central Trinidad.