Breed and seasonal variations in erythrocyte osmotic fragility of goat kids raised in semi-arid savannah

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sex, breed and season on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) as a biomarker of erythrocyte membrane integrity and oxidative stress in Red Sokoto (n = 60) and Sahel (n = 60) kids exposed to the peak of the three distinct seasons prevailing in the Northern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria. The results revealed that irrespective of breed, thermal stress during the hot-dry season (HDS) had greater influence on EOF causing significant (P < 0.05) increase in EOF when compared with the cold-dry (CDS). The EOF of Red Sokoto kids was significantly (P < 0.05) higher during the HDS, but lower (P < 0.05) during the CDS when compared with that of Sahel kids. There was no significant (P > 0.05) sex difference in the EOF of both breeds. In conclusion, breed and season dramatically influence the susceptibility of erythrocytes of kids to hypotonic haemolysis with heat stress during the HDS causing decrease in membrane integrity in both breeds of goats. However, sexual immaturity may be responsible for lack of sexual dimorphism in EOF in both breeds. The use of mitigation techniques and prevention of additional stress factors such as weaning is recommended during the peak of the HDS.

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