Impact of water restriction and rehydration on haematological profiles of sheep and goats under middle Gujarat agroclimatic condition

The experimental animals ingested 50% water of its requirement showed significantly lower Hb (g %) concentration than the animals of control group. The PCV (%) increased to the tune of 9.9% when experimental animals consumed 50% less water than the requirement. This may be due to haemo concentration induced by water restriction. However, seasons did not play any significant role on Hb (g %). The experimental Goats showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower value of Hb (g %) and PCV (%) to the tune of 9.30 and 21.7% as compared to Sheep. The PCV (%) reduced significantly (P < 0.05) due to rehydration after 2nd (9.38 and 9.32%) and 4th day (5.60 and 8.21%) in hot dry and hot humid season, respectively. The RBC count (X106/µl) did not show significant effect due to treatment and seasons but, the WBC count (X103/µl) differed significantly (P < 0.05). The Goats exhibited lower RBC (X106/µl) count than Sheep. Similarly, Goats exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower WBC (X103/µl) count (11.51%) as compared to Sheep. The rehydration of experimental animals did not show any significant change in WBC (X103/µl) count. Similarly, WBC (X103/µl) count did not differ between two species due to rehydration.