SOME HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN EWES OF THE TSIGAI BREED IN THE PUERPERAL PERIOD

Hematological parameters were examined in sheep of the Tsigai breed. T he experiment involved 15 lambing ewes after parturition in which func tional and morphological changes in the sex organs were investigated i n the puerperal period. The animals were managed in the conditions of commercial flock. Their diet consisted of silage, hay, fodder beet and feed mix BAK. Water and salt were available ad libitum. Blood samples were taken to an oxalate mixture from the v. jugularis at time interv als given by days 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25 and 34 after parturition. Er ythrocyte counts were determined in blood samples by Burker's flask me thod. Hemoglobin concentration was determined spectrophotometrically b y measuring the hemoglobin cyanide quantity on a Spekol instrument, an d hematocrit was established by Janetzki's method in microhematocrit c apillaries. Leukocyte counts were determined by a flask method after d ilution with Turk's solution. Leukocyte per cent was determined from b lood smears by differentiation per 100 leukocytes. The smears were sta ined according to Pappenheim. The results obtained were processed by S tudent's t-test. Statistical significance was compared with regard to the first day after lambing. Evaluation of the average erythrocyte cou nts showed the range of their values from 5.46 +/- 1.26 to 7.42 +/- 0. 76 T/l in the intervals of observation in the puerperal period, with s tatistical significance (P < 0.05) on day 7. Hemoglobin concentrations ranged from 7.59 +/- 1.25 to 9.72 +/- 1.74 g/dl. A statistically sign ificant increase (P < 0.05) with the peak values was found out on day 17 of observation. Average hematocrit values in the puerperal period d id not vary largely, ranging from 32.2 +/- 5.07 to 35.6 +/- 2.50 l/l. Evaluation of total leukocyte counts showed their range from 5.04 +/- 2.22 to 8.71 +/- 4.26 G/l. The per cent of neutrophilic granulocytes r anged from 32.0 +/- 5.76 to 38.80 +/- 6.37, of eosinophilic granulocyt es from 3.88 +/- 2.61 to 7.00 +/- 2.64, of lymphocytes 51.0 +/- 7.84 t o 59.33 +/- 5.67 and of monocytes from 2.66 +/- 1.0 to 4.20 +/- 2.28 i n the period of observation.