Adetayo Adewale O^1*, Adetayo Oluwafemi A ², Dauda Taofik A

¹Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author:Adetayo Adewale O, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.Tel: (+234) 810 456 3456; Fax: (+234) 810 456 3456; E-mail: wale_agromet@yahoo.com

Citation: Adetayo Adewale O, Adetayo Oluwafemi A, Dauda Taofik A (2023) Effects of Water Regime on Physiological and Hematological Characteristics of Red Sokoto and Sahellian Goat Species in Forest-Savannah Agro-Ecology, Nigeria. SciEnvironm 6: 178. 

Received: April 16, 2023; Accepted: May 09, 2023; Published: May 15, 2023.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of water regimes on physiological and hematological characteristics of red Sokoto and Sahellian goat species in Forest-Savannah agro-ecology of Nigeria. A total of 12 male goats (6 red Sokoto and 6 Sahel) were used in two locations (Akure and Ibadan). The animals were randomized into three treatments groups in a modified crossover design. The treatments are (i) ad libitum (T1), (ii) 30% water restriction (T2) and (iii) 70% water restriction (T3). Data on rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate and live weight.  Blood samples were taken weekly for hematology. The physiological and hematological data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS 9 Model. The result shows that there is no significant effect of water regimes on rectal temperature of the animals, but Sahellian goats had higher rectal temperature than Red Sokoto. There were significant differences in the respiratory rate of the animals amoung the different water regimes. Respiratory rates were raised with restrictions on water.  Goats subjected to 70% water restriction (T3) had the highest respiration rate and the least respiratory rate was recorded among goats subjected to ad libitum water supply (T1). Ad libitum water supply (T1) recorded the lowest pulse rate, while 70% water restriction (T3) had the highest. Weight gain was reduced by water restrictions. Goats on 70% water restrictions level treatment have reduced weight in both Red Sokoto and Sahellian goats in the two locations. Water regimes have no significant effects on hematological and the blood biochemical parameters irrespective of the location and the two breeds of goats considered. There is a need for adequate provision of water supply for optimum goat production in the study area.

Key words:Water Regimes, Physiological Characteristics, Hematological Characteristics, Climate Change Adaptation.

Water is a very important component of biological systems. It has direct influence on digestion, transportation, thermoregulation, nutrient metabolism, excretion and other physiological functions. 10% loss of water in living cells may lead to body disorder and death (Aganga et al, 2006). A sub-optimum intake of water can be critically limiting in terms of performance and productivity of livestock (Alamer, 2010). Efficient utilization of feed resources requires optimal water consumption, and its limitation could result in body condition loss in goats (Alamer, 2010). Small ruminants are highly revered for their efficient water use abilities and resilience to limited water intake compared to other species of livestock (Akinmoladun et al, 2020). In 2015, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s fifth assessment report warned that climate change would reduce renewable surface water and groundwater resources thereby intensifying competition for water among all sectors and affecting water, energy and food security.  We are seeing these warnings become reality. According to the World Meteorology Organization (WMO) State of Climate Services 2021, more than 20 per cent of the world’s river basins experienced either rapid increases or declines in their surface water area in 2020. Adapting to the water deficits impacted of climate change will protect animals’ production, hence, selection of adapted animal breeds is very valuable for sustaining animal production under an increasingly challenging environment (Marai et al, 2008).

Goats (Carpra hircus) are homeothermic mammals belonging to the order artiodactyles, sub-order ruminants and family bovidae. Ruminant animals’ production has been an age long enterprise among subsistence farmers in Nigeria. They are a good source of meat for the populace in Africa. They are of high economic value as a source of financial stability in the rural subsistence economy of Nigeria (Adu et al, 2006).

Sahellian goat’s species belongs to a savannah group of goats. It has many types and sub-types in this group, and they are popularly raised in Sahara and sub-Sahara regions of the world. The most suitable region suitable region for the sahellian goat breed is desert and semi desert environment. It tolerates high humid climates and therefore widely found in arid and semi-arid zones of the Sahellian goats are multipurpose goats as the animal can be utilized for its meat and skin. The fibre of the skin of high demand can be used in industries for leather. The height of sahellian male goats is about 65-85cm. The average weight of males is about 38-56kg. Red Sokoto goat is one of the Savannah goat groups mostly found in northern Nigeria. The animal is harmonious, fairly slender, measuring 0.62 to 0.67m and weighing 30 to 35 kg in adulthood. Its horns are moderately developed, and its ears are standing horizontally and sometimes hanging. This animal has a high rusticity. Red Sokoto is commonly found with the agro pastoralist mainly within the northern sub humid and semi-arid zones of Nigeria (Akpa et al, 2001).

Majority of goats in southern Nigeria are reared under range management system with little or no attention paid to water resources management effects on the animals. Scanty reports on responses of goats to water deficits are found. The majority of the work on the response of the animals to the deficits is found in the semi-arid of the country. With the increased interest of poor resource farmers in goat rearing hence there is necessity of for research findings on the adaptability of Red Sokoto and Sahellian Goat Species in Forest-Savannah Agro-Ecology, Nigeria. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the physiological and hematological responses to Red Sokoto and Sahellian Goat Species in Forest-Savannah Agro-Ecology, Nigeria.

Study Location

This research was conducted during the growing season of 2021 at Agro-meteorology research farm of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria (7⁰15^’N, 5⁰15’E) and project farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R&T.) Ibadan, Nigeria (7⁰22‘N; 3030‘E). Both stations are within the forest-Savannah eco-climatic zone of Nigeria. The forest-Savannah eco-climatic zone of Nigeria covers a total land area of about 115,000 sq. km. Rainfall in the zone can be described as humid to sub-humid tropical with distinct dry and wet season. There are two rainfall peaks in June and September with dry spells in August (August break) which produces the bimodal rainfall pattern. It is characterized by minimal fluctuations, usually less than 5^oC throughout the year. The mean monthly temperature ranged between 28^oCand 35^oC for the period of 10 years, while the mean monthly minimum temperature ranged between 22.6^oC and 26.7^oC. February and March have the highest evaporation rate, and it is as high as 6.9 mm. The least evaporation rate (1.6 mm) is recorded in June/July. The relative humidity ranges from 64.5% in February to 91% in June (Anyadike, 1992).  

Experimental Design and Management

The study was conducted over a period of twelve weeks. The animal used consists of 6 males each of the Red Sokoto and Sahellian goat Species in the two locations. Pre-experimental period of 7 days was allowed for the determination of the average water intake for the animals. The goats are less than a year old with an average weight of 8.2 to 8.8 kg. The goats were randomly allotted to three treatments in a modified cross-over design. The treatments are (i) ad libitum water supply (T1), (ii) 30% water restriction (T2) and (iii) 70% water restriction (T3) at two goats per treatment for Red Sokoto and Sahellian Goats. All the animals were subjected to the same type of diet (dry-matter 85.5%, crude protein 15.5%, crude fibre 12.5%, metabolized energy2078kcal/kg, calcium 0.55%, ether extract 5.5%, and Phosphorus 1.45%). They were kept in individual pens while the feed and water were administered simultaneously in the morning (8:00am) and evening (5:00pm). Feed residue and water remnants were measured after feed and water intake.  They were all managed intensively in an open sided, slated floor and asbestos sheet roofed housing.

Data on rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate and live weight were monitored for each of the animals. Blood samples for hematology were also taken on a weekly basis. Serum was obtained from half of each blood sample. The second portion of the blood sample collected was in a labeled bottle with Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetatic Acid (EDTA). The cell volume, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, plasma urea, plasma osmolarity and glucose level were determined. The rectal temperature was taken with thermometer, respiratory rate was determined by counting the flank movement of each animal for a minute, pulse rate was determined with by placing the fingertips with a gentle pressure on the femoral arteries on the medial aspect of the limb for one minute using stopwatch. The data on weight gain, feed intake, water intake, fecal, urine output, physiological and hematological data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using a modified crossover design. The analysis was done using SYSTAT analytical computer package.

Table 1 shows the result of the response of rectal temperature of the goat breeds to differences in water regimes. The result shows that there was no significant difference in the rectal temperatures of the breeds of goats to water regime differences irrespective of the breed of goats and the location of trials. The result is in agreement with the findings of Akinmoladun et al (2020) who reported that there was no significant difference in the water intake of West African Dwarf goats and rectal temperature of the goats.

Table 1 also shows that there were significant differences in response of the respiratory rate of the animal to differences in water regimes. Respiratory rates were raised with restrictions to water.  Goats subjected to 70% water restriction (T3) had the highest respiration rate while the least respiration rate was recorded among goats subjected to ad libitum water supply (T1). Red Sokoto and Sahellian goats had similar respiratory rate responses to the water regimes. These results are in comfofmity with what Abdelatif et al (2010) which established that respiratory rate reduces as the watering interval increased. The reduction in the respiratory rates may be due to the need for the animals to dissipate body heat which would have been possible through sweating.

It was also shown that water regime has significant effects on pulse rate. Generally, ad libitum water supply (T1) recorded the lowest pulse rate while 70% water restriction (T3) had the highest. The trend in the pulse rate might be necessitated by reduction in blood volume and the need for the blood to be pumped at a normal rate. The results are in close with the submissions of Akinmoladun, (2020), Abdelatif et al (2010) and Aganga et al (2010). 

The results of the response of the animals in terms of feed intake and weight gain to water regime is as presented in table 2. Water regime significantly affects the feed intake of the goats. It was discovered that feed intake of the goats decreases as the water availability increases irrespective of the breeds of goats and the location of trials. 

Table1:The result of the response of rectal temperature of the goat breeds to differences in water regimes.

 B1- Red Sokoto; B2- Sahel; T1- ad libitum water supply; T2- 30% water restriction; T3- 70% water restriction; WAE-weeks after commencement of experiment; L1- Akure; L2- Ibadan.

This indicates that animals that were deprived of food took less water per unit of dry matter consumed.  The results agree with the findings of Utley et al (2000) and Ikhatua et al (2005) who found out that during periods of reduced water intake in goats the ingested materials are retained in the rumen for longer period of time. Lower daily weight gain as a result water deprivation was also reported by other authors (Aganga, 2002, Adogla-Bessa, 2004 and Aganga, 2010). The decreased weight loss might be due to reduced dry matter intake of the animals.  The similarity in the feed intake rate by the two breeds of goats may also indicate that they possess similar digestive tract capacity. Similarly, table 3 further shows that water regimes have significant effects on weight gain of the animals at p<0.05 irrespective of the treatments, breeds of goats and location of trials. Weight gain was reduced by water restrictions. Goats on 70% water restrictions level treatment have reduced weight in both Red Sokoto and Sahellian goats in the two locations. The results are in conformity with findings of Umunna et al (2001) in their studies of sheep varying degrees of water restrictions. The reductions in weight loss due to water restrictions may be due to reduced feed intake and reduced efficiency of digestion in response to insufficient water. Also reported by Marai et al, 2008, the most obvious physiological consequence of water restriction with the concomitant reduction in feed intake is weight loss as recorded from trials on dry and lactating Awassi ewes where there was a drop in weight ranging between 0.84% and 26%.

Table 2: Effects of water regime on feed intake and weight gain of selected goat breed.

B1- Red Sokoto; B2- Sahel; T1- ad libitum water supply; T2- 30% water restriction; T3- 70% water restriction; WAE-weeks after commencement of experiment; L1- Akure; L2- Ibadan.

There was no significant effect of water regimes and the hematological and the blood biochemical parameters within the two breeds of goats (Table 3). No significant difference was noticed in the difference in water regimes and blood composition within the selected breeds of goats. This result is contrary to the findings of Adogla-Bessa (2004) and Aganga (2010) who reported that there was an increase in blood constituents with increased water regimes.

Table 3: Effects of water regime on hematological and the blood biochemical parameters of selected goat breeds.

C1- PCV (%); C2- Hb Concentration (g/dL); C3- RBC (x 106 mm3); C4- Urea (mg/dL); C5- Glucose (mg/dL); C6- Serum Total Protein (g/dL); C7- Serum Albumin (g/dL); C8- Serum Globulin (g/dL)  

Adaptation to Climate change and Variability impacts on animal Production in rainforest agro-ecology of Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Water restrictions have negative effects on the respiratory, pulse rate, feed intake and weight gain of Red Sokoto and Sahellian goats reared in the rainforest agro-ecology of Nigeria. The goats are able to cope with a one-third reduction reduction in average water intake making it possible for the animals to cope shortages of water especially dyring the dry season. Red Sokoto and Sahellian goats have similar physiological responses to water regimes in the study area. Though the differences in water regimes do not have any significant effect on the hematological characteristics of the Red Sokoto and Sahellian breeds of goat, there is need for adequate provision of water supply for optimum goat production in the study area.

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