Burdizzo castration, pinhole castration and orchidectomy induced haematological alterations in Red Sokoto Bucks

Castration of bucks is a management practice that is essential for breed improvement and market-oriented buck production. This study assessed the haematological alterations induced by Burdizzo castration, pinhole castration and orchidectomy in red Sokoto bucks. A total of 16 red Sokoto bucks, aged six months to one-year and weighing between 11kg to 12 kg, were randomly and equally assigned into 4 groups (A, B, C and D. Bucks in groups A, B and C were castrated by Burdizzo, pinhole castration and orchidectomy techniques while the group D animals were not castrated (control). Blood samples were collected pre-castration, immediately after castration and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 48 and 72 hours post-castration (HPC), and processed for haematology. Results revealed non-significant decrease (P>0.05) in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total red blood cell count at 4 HPC and a return to normal range values by 12 hours HPC with non-significant fluctuations thereafter in groups A, B and C. There were significant increases (P<0.05) in the total white blood cells and neutrophil count in all castrated bucks at immediate PC period with maximum increase recorded following the orchidectomy. No significant difference (P>0.05) in the lymphocyte count was observed in all bucks for up to 72 HPC. Burdizzo castration and pinhole castration induced less haematological alterations compared to orchidectomy in the red Sokoto bucks.