Effects of anticoagulants and storage (4 degrees C) on packed cell volume (PCV) of Nigerian domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).

1. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of anticoagulants and storage (4 degrees C) on the PCV of blood samples from Nigerian domestic fowl (DF) and the guinea fowl (GF). 2. Citrate significantly reduced pre-storage PCV of the DF in comparison with the effect of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). 3. It further decreased (P < 0.05) the PCV of the blood of DF and GF over 3 d of storage; this was similar to the effect of EDTA on the PCV of the GF blood. 4. Citrate and oxalates induced haemolysis of blood of the DF and the GF in storage faster than EDTA, but overall the haemolysis was more pronounced from red cells of the GF than from those of the DF. 5. The mean fall in the PCV of the DF was significant at 3.0 mg EDTA/ml of blood in contrast to the fall in the PCV of the GF blood.

Effect of calcium phosphates and zinc in salt-mineral mixtures on ad libitum salt-mix intake and on zinc and selenium status of sheep.

In two separate experiments, 72 crossbred ewes were fed hay, haylage (50% dry matter) and corn diets with ad libitum salt-mineral mixtures (SMM; Exp. 1) or salt (Exp. 2). Calcium phosphates (Ca X P) and(or) zinc (Zn) were added in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement to salt + trace minerals for ewes 7 mo prepartum through lactation in Exp. 1 and to salt only for ewes 3 mo prepartum through lactation in Exp. 2. The diets fed were estimated to contain 23 and 28 mg Zn/kg dry diet (ppm), respectively, and .08 and .05 ppm Se. Large variations (up to fivefold) were found in SMM intake per month between replicates and from month-to-month within treatment; thus, monthly variations of up to sevenfold occurred in Zn and Se intakes of supplemented groups. There were no significant treatment effects on SMM intake. Small but significant Zn treatment effects were detected for plasma and wool Zn of ewes and lambs, but all values were in the normal range. There was no significant treatment effect on plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. In Exp. 2, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly lower in all treatment groups compared with a Se-supplemented control group but only rare occurrences of subclinical muscular dystrophy were found. There was no significant treatment effect on GSH-Px activity, whole blood Se in ewes and lambs or plasma creatine phosphokinase activity in lambs. These results indicate large animal and seasonal variability in SMM intake and no significant treatment effects of Ca X P on SMM intake or on Zn and Se status. Zinc addition to SMM had no effect on Se status.