[en] Full text: The numbers of X-chromatin body ('drumstick' appendages) in the interphase nuclei of three major breeds of Nigerian goats were studied. Each goat breed was derived from three different locations in the country based on the areas of its preponderance. Smears from buccal cavity and PMNS of each goat were developed using standard staining techniques. The mean values obtained per breed irrespective of sex were 1.92%, 1.65% and 1.60% for Sahel Goats (SG), Red Sokoto Goats (RSG) and West African Dwarf Goats (WADG), respectively. The mean value obtained for the bucks and does irrespective of breed were 0.13% and 3.07%, respectively. Those for males per breed were 0.15% for SG, 0.15% for RSG, and 0.10% for WADG and for does per breed were: 3.44% for SG, 3.10% for RSG and 2.67% for WADG. The results generally revealed that the frequency of 'drumstick' was statistically different (P < 0.05) between Bucks and Does; Bucks were statistically the same (P < 0.05) in 'drumstick' incidence, irrespective of breed and location, while the 'drumstick' incidence was statistically higher (P < 0.05) in Sahelian Does, followed by RS Does and least in WAD Does. This may account for higher prolificacy frequently observed in SG, followed by RSG. However, location exhibited an infinitesimal effect on the frequency of 'drumstick' within breeds, indicating that incidence of 'drumstick' is purely a genetic factor. (author)

[en] Full-text: Haematological indices together with the sex, sex x breed interaction and breed source effects on three major breeds of Nigerian goats were studied using 81 goats (comprising 9 males and 18 females per breed), objective being to characterize and outline the differences and similarities between the breeds in blood parameters. The goats were derived from different geo-ecological zones in the country based on the areas of preponderance of each breed. The breeds studied were: the Sahel goat (SG), Red Sokoto goat (RSG), and West African Dwarf goat (WADG) and haematological values obtained per breed were: 22.52 ± 1.48, 23.04 ± 3.56, and 29.22 ± 4.76 (% PCV); 7.52 ± 0.50, 7.82 ± 1.25 and 9.48 ± 1.60 (g/dl Hb); 2.71 ± 0.23, 3.09 ± 0.64, and 4.10 ± 0.42 (x 1012/l RBC); 11.94 ± 1.10, 11.32 ± 2.03 and 9.23 ± 0.63 (x 10⁹cells/l WBC), and 83.22 ± 1.67, 76.72 ± 2.30 and 73.34 ± 3.40 (x 106/mm³ MCV), respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the breeds, but the platelets, MCH and leucocytes differential counts were similar (P > 0.05) for all the breeds. The WADGs were superior to the RSG and SG in PCV, Hb, and RBC counts, but lower in WBC counts and MCV. The SG was similar in most of the haematological profiles examined, irrespective of geo-ecological distance, indicating homogeneity of the breeds. The Sahelian goat breed also outscored other breeds in MCV, showing that the breed has greater propensity to transport oxygen and in situation occasioning oxygen starvation, the breed survives better. This explains the reason for the survival of the breed in arid and semiarid zone. Gender has no effect on the MCV and the values of 83.22 ± 1.67 x 106/mm³, 76.72 ± 2.30 x 106/mm³and 73.34 ± 3.40 x 106/mm³ were observed for the SG, RSG, and WADG, respectively. (author)