ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OF MORPHOMETRIC, HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES IN INDIGENOUS NIGERIAN GOAT BREEDS RAISED IN THE SUDAN-SAHEL ZONE

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the associations among morphometric, haematological, and serum biochemical parameters in indigenous Nigerian goat breeds (Sahel, Red Sokoto, and West African Dwarf) raised under the semi-arid conditions of the Sudan-Sahel zone. Pearson correlation analyses were performed on morphometric traits from 270 goats and on haematological and serum biochemical profiles from 120 goats. Among the morphometric traits, body weight demonstrated strong, highly significant positive correlations with heart girth (r=0.99, P<0.01), body length (r=0.79, P<0.01), head circumference (r=0.71, P<0.01), and horn length (r=0.61, P<0.01). Strong positive correlations were also established among body length, gonad circumference, udder dimensions, and teat length (r=0.95 to 0.99, P<0.01). Haematological analysis showed strong positive associations among primary erythrocytic parameters, including red blood cell count with haemoglobin (r=0.88, P<0.01) and haematocrit (r=0.81, P<0.01), as well as haemoglobin with haematocrit (r=0.89, P<0.01). Mean corpuscular haemoglobin was positively linked to haemoglobin (r=0.54, P<0.01) and haematocrit (r=0.57, P<0.01), whereas neutrophils exhibited a strong negative relationship with platelets (r=−0.86, P<0.01). Serum biochemical evaluation revealed significant positive correlations between aspartate aminotransferase and glucose (r=0.71, P<0.01), sodium and total protein (r=0.43, P<0.01), and urea and total cholesterol (r=0.41, P<0.01). Combined haematological-biochemical associations were generally weak, though minor significant relationships were noted, such as albumin with haemoglobin (r=0.20, P<0.05). These findings indicate that key morphometric dimensions, particularly heart girth and body length, serve as reliable indirect predictors of live body weight for selection. Furthermore, blood and biochemical interactions reflect essential physiological and metabolic interdependencies, providing critical baseline data for herd management, genetic improvement, and conservation of native goat resources in North-Eastern Nigeria.