Hematological parameters were studied in 163 apparently healthy goats comprised of 3 indigenous breeds at Adami-Tulu Agricultural Research Centre (ATARC) and Sheno, Agricultural Research Centre (SARC), Ethiopia. Data were analyzed for the effect of breed, sex, age, and season. Hemoglobin (Hb) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for Arsi-Bale (AB) than Longeared Somali (LES) and Central Highland (CH) goats. Packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) for LES than the other two breeds. White blood cells (WBC) (P < 0.05), neutrophils (P < 0.0001) and basophils (P < 0.0001) were higher in CH than in the other two breeds. Conversely, lymphocytes were lowest (P < 0.0001) in CH goats compared to other breeds. Female goats had significantly (at least P < 0.05) higher red blood cells (RBC), PCV, WBC, lymphocytes and eosinophils than male goats. In contrast, males had higher (P < 0.05) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and neutrophils than females. There was no significant age difference for the erythrocytic series but the age difference was highly significant (P < 0.0001) for the leukocytic series. WBC and lymphocytes decreased as age increased while the reverse was true for neutrophils and eosinophils. Seasonal variation was also considerable for both erythrocytic and leukocytic series. RBC, Hb, lymphocytes, and neutrophils of the indigenous goat breeds were remarkably different compared to most other exotic goat breeds.

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience

peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a human assay for quantification of carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), assess the influence of age on plasma CTX-I concentration, investigate the relationship between plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations, and determine whether concentrations of plasma CTX-I or serum osteocalcin fluctuate in circadian manner in horses. HORSES: 75 clinically normal horses. PROCEDURE: Cross-reactivity between equine serum CTX-I and CTX-I antibodies in an automated electrochemiluminescent sandwich antibody assay (ECLIA) was evaluated via a specificity test (ie, dilution test) and recovery calculation. Serum osteocalcin concentration was measured with an equine-specific osteocalcin radioimmunoassay. To analyze diurnal variations in plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations, blood samples were obtained hourly during a 24-hour period. RESULTS: Results of the dilution test indicated good correlation (r > 0.99) between expected serum CTX-I concentrations and measured serum CTX-I concentrations. The calculated CTX-I recovery was 97.6% to 109.9%. Plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations were correlated. Plasma CTX-I concentration was inversely correlated with age of the horse. No significant circadian variations in plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that the fully automated CTX-I ECLIA can be used for evaluation of plasma and serum samples from horses and may be a useful tool to monitor bone metabolism changes. Horses in this study did not have notable diurnal fluctuations in serum osteocalcin and plasma CTX-I concentrations.

During a period of four consecutive years, trypanosomosis surveys were conducted in a tsetse-infested and tsetse-free area of the Amhara Region of north-west Ethiopia. In each study area randomly selected communal cattle were sampled and their blood was investigated using parasitological diagnostic methods. At the same time the population of biting flies was sampled. The monthly average prevalence of trypanosome infections in cattle did not differ significantly between study areas. In both study areas, the prevalence of trypanosome infections was highest during the long rainy season. Trypanosome infections were mainly due to Trypanosoma vivax and they significantly reduced the average packed cell volume and the body condition of the animals. The monthly prevalence of infection was correlated with the density of biting flies, such as Tabanidae and Stomoxys spp., in the preceding month suggesting an important role of mechanical transmission in the epidemiology of trypanosomosis in both areas.