Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 321, Khartoum-Sudan.
*Present Address: NDRI, Karnal-132 001.
In an experiment to study water and feed restriction on some physiological and haematological parameters and blood constituents of Sudanese desert goats, nine male goats were subjected to three treatments: (a) ad libitum water and feed (control), (b) ad libitum feed and water restricted to about 40% of the control, and (c) ad libitum water and restricted feed (same amount as given to group b). The acute effects of the above treatments on these parameters were monitored using two types of feed (Lucerne or sorghum hay). Rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) of goats increased (P<0.01) from morning to afternoon; RT decreased due to feed restriction during morning and afternoon with lucerne hay (P<0.05) and grass hay (P<0.05), whereas RR decreased (P< 0.01) with both types of feeds. For all group of animals, RT was higher (P<0.05) with lucerne hay than with grass hay, this effect being more pronounced (P<0.01) with the control group. Haematological parameters, Hb and PCV were not affected by water and feed restrictions. Plasma glucose levels increased significantly (P<0.05) with lucerne hay in both water and feed restricted groups, while plasma cholesterol increased significantly (P<0.05) with the grass hay in both groups. Plasma urea concentration significantly (P<0.01) increased with feeding lucerne hay compared to grass hay. Plasma minerals (Na+, K+ and Ca++) levels were not affected by either water or feed restrictions or feed types.
