THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

months to 3 years. Erythrocyte size varied from 4.5 to
7.5ìm with a mean diameter of 5.7 ìm. Anisocytosis was a
common feature. Results revealed that mean RBC count
of all animals ranged from 3.02 to 9.8 mill/cu mm with a
mean count of 6.05 ± 0.41 ml/cu mm. In male RBC count
ranged from 3.02 to 9.8 mill/cu mm with a mean of 6.13 ±
0.69 mill/cu mm: that of female showed a mean of 6.029 ±
0.8736 mill/cu mm from a variation of 4.07 to 8.35 mill/cu
mm. Total PCV of all animals regardless of sex had a
mean of 31.55 ± 1.33%; that of females was 32.6 ±
2.11%, whereas a mean of 30.5 ± 1.66% was observed
among male buffaloes. Overall mean Hb content was
11.61 ± 0.67 gm/dl; for the males the mean value was
11.58 ± 0.96 gm/dl, while in females it was 11.63 ± 0.96
g/dl of blood. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in all animals
registered a mean of 5.34 ± 0.42 cm/hr. Male buffaloes
registered a mean of 5.25 ± 0.65 cm/hr; whereas in females
mean ESR was 5.54 ± 0.47 cm/hr. Total MCV, MCH and
MCHC means of both sexes were 53.75 ± 4.69 fl, 19.61
± 1.58 pg and 37.36 ± 2.3 g lb respectively. Mean MCV,
MCH and MCHC in males were computed as follows:
52.93 ± 6.32 fl, 20.12 ± 2.39 pg and 38.39 ± 3.77 g Hb.
Values calculated in females were recorded as 54.92 ±
6.92 fl, 19.79 ± 1.73 pg and 31.38 ± 4.37 g Hb for mean
MCV, MCH and MCHC respectively. Results indicated
that RBC count in males exceeded insignificantly that of
their female counterparts. Erythrocyte count, Hb, MCH
and MCHC varied inversely with advancing age in all
animals. On the other hand, Hb, MCH and MCHC showed
a positive correlation with the RBC count in this study.
Statistical analyses of the data supported no significant
sex or age – related differences in the blood parameters
used in the study, except for MCHC in which case,
significant differences were proven as to the age and sex
of the carabaos. More detailed study should be undertaken
to identify the influence of other variables such as breed,
geographical locations, type of feeds, degree of work,
season, time of day and reproductive activity on the
erythrogram of young Philippine swamp buffaloes. The
study should also be expanded to include blood serum or
plasma chemistry. And to make the blood values more
useful to veterinary clinicians, studies should be done also
to establish the blood picture in different disease conditions.
Keywords: swamp buffalo, hemogram, blood indices
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
Central Luzon State University, 1986.
P-28
BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF DRY
PREGNANT, DRY NON-PREGNANT AND
LACTATING NON-PREGNANT*
PHYSIOLOGY
J. P. Valencia, Student
Serum samples from Philippine carabao, Bulgarian
buffaloes and its crosses, were used in determining the
values from serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
(SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca) and
creatinine (CREA) using the blood biochemical analyzer
at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Los Baños. Each
breed was divided into 3 groups: dry pregnant animals,
dry non-pregnant and lactating non-pregnant. SGOT values
were found to be higher in lactating non-pregnant than in
dry non-pregnant. Among breeds, higher SGOT values
were observed in Philippine carabao than in crossbreeds
and Bulgarian Murrah. Among groups, SGOT values were
higher in lactating non-pregnant than in dry pregnant and
dry non-pregnant. ALP values were higher in crosses in
dry non-pregnant group than in dry pregnant. Ca values
were found to be higher in dry pregnant than in dry nonpregnant.
CREA was higher in dry non-pregnant animals
than in dry pregnant animals.
Keywords: Philippine carabao, Bulgarian Murrah,
crossbreeds, blood biochemical profile, non-pregnant,
pregnant, lactating
*Undergraduate Thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna,
1999.
P-29
BREEDING PHENOMENA OF CARABAOS IN THE
PHILIPPINES*
V. Villegas, Student
Mating and parturition among carabaos occur throughout
the year but higher incidence is observed during the rainy
and cooler months. The average gestation period among
Philippine carabaos is 324 days. Average periods of 35 to
54 days spaced the next estrus from parturition in Philippine
carabaos. The frequency of parturition was every 472.7
days, and the average rest period (the interval between
parturition and the next fertilization) being 156.9 days.
Keywords: carabao, mating period, frequency of parturition,
gestation,
*Philippine Journal of Animal Industry 20 (nos. 1-4): 89-
95, 1959.
45