DINÂMICA DO LEUCOGRAMA DE CAPRINOS JOVENS, DO NASCIMENTO ATÉ SEIS MESES DE IDADE: INFLUÊNCIA DO FATOR RACIAL

To evaluate the effect of age and breed on the leucogram of young goats, a total of 30 healthy goats of different breeds raised in Sao Paulo were assessed, of which 10 were Alpine, 10 were Saanen, and 10 were Anglo-Nubian. The animals were observed from birth to 6 months of age. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture in ETDA tubes. Results revealed that breed had no significant influence on leukocyte counts, except on the number of eosinophils, whereas age differences were highly significant (p<0,05). Neutrophils, white blood cells (WBC), and lymphocytes increased with age. WBC and lymphocytes increased until the 90th day and then decreased, while neutrophils increased until the 45th day and only started to decrease on the 120th day. On the 150th day of life the leucogram showed stabilization. Therefore, the influence of age and breed on young goats are reflected on leucogram findings.