E3 Journal of Medical Research

E3 Journal of Medical Research Vol. 6 (1) pp. 006-011, January 2017; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9900
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18685/EJMR(6)1_EJMR-16-014

Acute biochemical and Hematological responses to Burdizzo castration in West African Dwarf bucks

Abstract

Castration has been shown to elicit physiological stress, inflammatory reactions, pain-associated behaviour, suppression of immune function, and a reduction in performance to varying degrees. The responses to castration using Burdizzo were investigated in four male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats hourly over a period of 3 hours. The bucks were castrated with Burdizzo clamp, blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture for biochemical, hematological and hormonal analyses. The hematological values showed significant decreases (P<0.05) in PCV, Hb, Rbc, neutrophil throughout the period, while the White blood cell count decreased significantly 1 hour post castration. Respiratory rate increased significantly (P<0.05) throughout the post castration period of study, while the rectal temperature significantly increasing (P<0.05) for just an hour post castration. Cortisol level rose significantly (P<0.05) throughout the study period. Testosterone and estrogen levels fell after an hour though non-significantly (P>0.05) but later rose significantly (P<0.05) during the second and third hour post castration. The serum biochemistry changes observed include a significant rise (P<0.05) in AST, ALT, urea and Creatinine after 1 hour upon castration, but the values later significantly decreased (P<0.05) after the 2nd and 3rd hours. The serum electrolytes increased significantly (P<0.05) an hour post castration when compared with the pre castration values and later decreased significantly (P<0.05) at the 2nd and 3 hours post castration in comparison to the 1st hour value. There was a non-significant (P>0.05) increase in heart rate 1 hour post castration before returning to the pre castration value. This study concluded that the effects of three hours post burdizzo castration on hematological and biochemical profile fluctuated significantly in all the values under study and this calls for clinical surveillance among surgeons when such animals are brought for surgery during the acute period of castration. Also, this study will make information available for clinicians and researchers.

Keywords: Burdizzo, Castration, Hematology, Biochemistry, Serum