Abstract :
This study examined the rheological indices of chickens exposed to factory sites in Nnewi Nigeria. A total of twenty-nine (29) chickens aged four (4) to five (5) months comprising of 16 chickens exposed to factory sites and 13 non exposed chickens (control birds) were used for the present study. Five (5) ml of blood sample was collected from the heart of the animal into EDTA containers for the evaluation of rheological indices under study. The red cell count (RCC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total white blood cell (TWBC) and lymphocyte levels were assayed by using Mythic 22 automated hematology analyzer observing standard laboratory practice. The RCC and lymphocyte levels of the factory chickens were significantly increased (p0.05) between the Hb, PCV, MCHC and TWBC levels of the factory chickens and the control birds respectively. These results may be attributed to the short duration of this study and the fact that these chickens were not directly exposed to these industrial effluents.
Keyword :
Chickens, Factory sites, Heavy metals, Rheological indices, Elele, Nnewi.