Time-dependant peri-partum haematological, biochemical and rectal temperature changes in West African dwarf ewes

Postpartum profiles of haematological components as well as some of the biochemical blood constituents were investigated in 16 West African dwarf ewes for the first 30 days following parturition. Blood samples collected from parturient ewes, managed semi-intensively, were analyzed for haematologic indices such as packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte count (EC), total leucocyte count (TLC), differential leucocyte count (DLC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Likewise, serum components such as the triacylglycerols, total protein, creatinine, calcium, albumin and globulin were assessed at 5-day intervals for the 30-day period. The results of the study showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in TLC (7.4 ± 0.7 to 12.8 ± 4.2 × 103 μl) up to day 15 postpartum, which was marked by relative significant lymphocytosis and insignificant neutrophilia beyond day 10. No significant changes were recorded in packed cell volume (%), erythrocyte count (×106 μl), haemoglobin concentration (g/dl), mean corpuscular volume (fl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (pg), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (g/dl) and rectal temperature (°C) between days 5 and 30 postpartum. There was however a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum creatinine concentration (2.8 ± 3.6 to 4.9 ± 4.1 mg/dl). On the other hand, albumin serum levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) (2.2 ± 4.8 to 0.7 ± 0.9 g/dl), within the first 15 days postpartum. There was a non-significant decrease in serum calcium concentration (3.8 ± 5.7 to 3.0 ± 4.7 mequiv./l) at day 15 postpartum. Beyond this period, from days 25 to 30, a significant (p < 0.05) increase (4.7 ± 6.6 and 4.8 ± 4.4 mequiv./l) occurred. Conversely, the serum triacylglycerol concentration significantly (p < 0.05) increased (39.9 ± 4.9 to 51.7 ± 6.2 mg/dl) within the first 10 days postpartum. These findings revealed the postpartum physiological changes to be characteristically more biochemical than haematological. Thus serious threats to the peri-parturient health status could be better understood by an assessment of the peri-parturient haematological status.