Effect of sex and systems of production on the hematological and serum biochemical characters of helmeted guinea fowls (Numida meleagris pallas) in South Eastern Nigeria

A study was conducted to establish the blood characteristics of helmeted guinea fowl as well as to evaluate the sex and system of management effect on their hematology and serum biochemistry. Sex had a significant effect on the hematological components. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), with males being significantly (P<0.05) higher than females in PCV, HBC and RBC while females were significantly higher (P<0.05) than males in MCV and MCH. No significant sex effect (P>0.05) was recorded on Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Count (MCHC), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Esinophils and Basophils. Systems of production had a significant effect (P<0.05) on hematology of guinea fowl particularly on WBC, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes, with those kept on extensive system having a significantly higher (P<0.05) WBC and Neutrophil than battery cage system while the battery cage system was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Lymphocytes than those kept in extensive system. Sex had a significant effect on serum biochemical characters such as Chloride, Glucose, and SGOT with males being significantly higher (P<0.05) in chloride and SGOT than females while females were significantly higher (P<0.05) in glucose than males. No significant sex effect (P>0.05) was recorded on other biochemical characters. System of production had a significant effect on SGPT only, wi th birds kept in extensive system having a significantly higher (P<0.05) SGPT than those kept in battery cage system. No significant effect on (P>0.05) system of production was recorded in the rest. These findings has revealed the activities of male and female guinea fowls as it affects hematology and serum biochemistry as well as the effects of intensive or extensive systems of production on their blood parameters.