Veterinary Research International | July-September, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 3 | Pages 106-109 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Lt VETERINARY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Journal homepage: www.jakraya.com/journal/vri ORIGINAL ARTICLE Hematological Characteristics of ‘Djallonke’ Sheep Reared at Ejura Sheep Breeding Station of Ghana Moses Owusu 1* , A. K. Abebrese 2 and F Adzitey 3 1 Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. 2 Department of Sales, Codix Healthcare Limited, East Legon, Accra, Ghana. 3 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. * Corresponding Author: Moses Owusu Email: owusu.moses@ymail.com Received: 08/09/2016 Accepted: 17/09/2016 Abstract Hematological characteristics of sheep as examined in this study are essential for determining their immunity and survival. It also gives an indication of the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of the ‘Djallonke’ sheep. This study was conducted to determine the haematological characteristics of various sheep types reared at the Ejura Sheep Breeding Station of Ghana. The sheep types examined were lactating ewes, non-lactating ewes and rams. They were examined between the period of May 2015 - July 2015. The sheep were reared under the intensive system and were fed on the same diet. Haematological analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) among the sheep types examined. Total red blood cell (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) of non-lactating ewes were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of lactating ewes and rams. Total white blood cell (WBC) of rams (12.56 x10 3 /μl) and lactating ewes (12.02 x10 3 /μl) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than non-lactating ewes (9.69 x10 3 /μl). Haemoglobin (Hb) of non-lactating ewes (11.66 g/dl) and rams (11.37 g/dl) was significantly higher than lactating ewes (9.63 g/dl). The hematological parameters of the sheep examined were generally within the recommended range. Therefore, livestock farmers in Ghana can obtain healthy breeding and production sheep breeds from the Ejura Sheep Breeding Station. Keywords: ‘Djallonke’ sheep, Ewe, Haematological characteristics, Ram. 1. Introduction The livestock industry in Ghana consists of the ruminant and non-ruminant sector. Ruminants reared in Ghana include sheep, goat and cattle. Sheep play an important role in the agricultural economy of Ghana (Adzitey, 2013). In 2014, it was reported that Ghana produced 4,335,000 live sheep (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 2015). Mutton production was 254,712 tonnes in 2013 (FAO, 2015). Sheep production in Ghana increased each year between the periods of 2000 to 2014, and within the same period mutton production increased except in 2008 to 2009 where there was a decline from 220, 243 tonnes to 216, 614 tonnes (FAO, 2015). The breeds of sheep kept mainly in Ghana are the ‘Djallonke’, Sahel, Nungua black head and their crosses. The ‘Djallonke’ sheep, also known as the West African Dwarf, sheep is believed to have originated from western Asia, and entered Africa through the Isthmus of Suez and Bab el Mandeb (Animal Genetic Training Resource (AGTR), 2015). ‘Djallonke’ sheep are white or tan in colour but usually spotted black or red colours and black belly (AGTR, 2015). This breed is small because it has a wither height of between 40-60cm and a body weight of 20- 30kg (Domestic Animal Genetic Resources Information System (DAGRIS), 2005). The breed is also noted for their adaptation to the tropical hot and humid environment of West Africa, and is considered tolerant to trypanosomosis infections (Osaer, 2000; DAGRIS, 2005). Haematology has been defined as the study of the numbers and morphology of the cellular elements of the blood that is the red cells (erythrocyte), white cells (leucocytes), and the platelets (thrombocytes) and