Haematology and some serum biochemistry of apparently healthy Muturu and Bunaji breeds of cattle in Benue State, Nigeria

The haematological and serum biochemical values of 100 Muturu cattle and 100 Bunaji cattle were studied in two local government areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Haematocrit, red blood cell count, haemoglobin, total white blood cell count, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were significantly higher in Muturu cattle than the Bunaji cattle. However, there were no significant differences in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil counts, albumin, urea, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the two breeds of cattle. Lower values of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and platelet counts were observed in the Muturu cattle. Similarly, total protein and globulin values were significantly lower in Bunaji than Muturu cattle while the converse is the case with aspartate aminotransferase. The haematological parameters of the two breeds were within the recognized reference intervals for cattle. This study reports for the first time the haematological and some biochemical parameters for Muturu cattle in Benue State.