Seasonal dynamics of the number of leukocytes in sheep from different breeds

Krasimir Boychev

Abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze the trends in seasonal changeability and to evaluate the role of the interaction of breed appurtenance and annual season in the structure of total variability of the number of leukocytes in sheep blood. Three hundred and ninety five animals of four breeds (Awassi, East Friesian, Pleven black-headed, Romanov) and Syntetic Population Bulgarian Dairy sheep were included in the experiment. The blood samples were taken in April, July, November and February from v. jugularis. The number of leukocytes was determined by optical camera method. The level of the hematological parameter discussed varies from 7.140 x109/l in summer to 8.076 x109/l in spring. Greatest seasonal variability of the number of leukocytes was found for East Friesian sheep. The basic pert of the total factor`s effect for the two evaluated sources of variation of the hematological parameter discussed (16.30%) was associated with the interaction of both factors – 9.90%, P<0.01.

Keywords: breeds; interaction of both factors; seasons; sheep blood; sources of variation; the number of leukocytes

Date published: 2023-03-08