Poikilocytosis of Angora goats is associated with erythrocyte density and reticulocytosis

Authors

Keywords:

Angora goat, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), poikilocytosis, reticulocytosis

Abstract

Angora goats in South Africa experience several syndromes that result in notable morbidity and mortality in juveniles and adults, but not kids. Insight into their causes is hampered by the lack of normal reference values for this breed, and the present study therefore aimed to characterise (1) differences in the haematology of healthy kids at birth and weaning, and (2) the haematology of apparently healthy yearlings. Selected variables were measured by blood smear analysis, and complete blood counts were performed using an ADVIA 2120i. Variables at 1, 11, and 20 weeks of age were compared using the Friedman test and associations between variables of yearlings were determined by correlation analysis. In kids, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and poikilocytosis increased over time, while mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased. Yearlings displayed a lower MCHC, and higher haemoglobin distribution width than previously reported for goats, and these were positively correlated with poikilocytosis, as were reticulocyte counts. White cell counts of yearlings exceeded normal values previously reported for goats, with some individuals displaying remarkably high mature neutrophil counts. Changes in haemoglobin variant expression or cation and water fluxes are possible explanations for the findings in kids, while in yearlings, the associations between MCHC, HDW, poikilocytosis, and reticulocytosis suggest alterations in red cell hydration in adulthood that are associated with increased red cell turnover. These findings may prove informative in the further investigation of various clinical syndromes in this population.

Author Biographies

  • SDC Parsons, Afrivet Business Management

    DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Afrivet Business Management, South Africa

  • D Becks, Stellenbosch University

    DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • A Vermeulen, Stellenbosch University

    DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • M Hobson, Mohair SA

    Mohair SA, Camdeboo Veterinary Clinic, South Africa

  • RM Warren, Stellenbosch University

    DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, SAMRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • E Hooijberg, University of Pretoria

    Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2023-05-03

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Section

Original Research