Sex-related variations in hematological and sero-biochemical profiles of Kadaknath chicken

Kishore, A. and Sharma, T. 2024. Sex-related variations in hematological and sero-biochemical profiles of Kadaknath chicken. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 59(3): 299–303. The studies were conducted to find out the sex-related variations in the hematological and sero-biochemical profiles of Kadaknath chicken in the Gird region of Madhya Pradesh at the ITM University, Gwalior, from June to October 2023, with thirty male and female Kadaknath chickens each. The experiment was started with the day-old chicks and lasted for 112 days. The blood samples were drawn on day 112 for the determination of haematological and sero-biochemical profiles from male and female birds from brachial wing vein. The hematological parameters were analyzed using an auto hematology analyzer, with differential counts performed on Giemsa-stained blood films. For biochemical analysis, serum samples were obtained by centrifuging blood collected in sterile vials, and parameters were measured using standard diagnostic kits. Lymphocytes, MCV, PLT, and PCT in both sexes did not differ significantly (P=0.05). RBC and MCH were significantly higher (P=0.05) in male blood, whereas eosinophils and TLC in female blood. WBC, haemoglobin, monocytes, MCHC, and haematocrit were significantly lower (P=0.01), whereas basophils, heterophils, MPV, PCV, TEC, and heterophil to lymphocyte (HL) ratio were significantly higher (P=0.01) in female blood. Phosphorus, albumin, globulin, albumin to globulin ratio, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were not significantly different (P=0.05) in between the sexes. Cholesterol content was lower (P=0.05) in male, whereas serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGLT) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin in female. Calcium content was recorded to be higher (P=0.01) in male, whereas blood glucose, total protein, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase in female blood. Based on the present study, it can be inferred that the sex of chickens significantly influenced various hematological parameters such as total RBC, hemoglobin, PCV, and MCHC, primarily due to physiological differences, including hormonal fluctuations and metabolic variations between males and females. Similarly, among biochemical parameters, the mean values showed significant differences for total protein, serum cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT, calcium, and phosphorus, which can be attributed to variations in hormonal regulation, growth patterns, and nutrient metabolism associated with sex.