A preliminary study on devising a hematological formula for estimation of hemoglobin from packed cell volume in beetal goats

ABSTRACT The study was devised with the aim to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) in beetal goats being reared under pastoralism. It also aims to devise a hematological formula for estimation of Hb from PCV. Female (n=59) and male goats (n=41) were bled for PCV determination through microhematocrit method, and Hb estimation through Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (HbD) as well as through calculation being 1/3rd of PCV (HbC). The HbD and HbC were statistically non-significant (P≥0.05) for male and female beetal goats. Overall, significantly (P≤0.01) positive correlation coefficient was noticed between HbD and PCV, and between HbD and HbC (r=0.75; adjusted r-square=0.57). As the overall model predicted that 57% variability in HbD could be deduced from PCV, hence, in order to enhance the prediction probability, the regression equation i.e. Hb concentration= 0.24(PCV) +1.5 was utilized to deduce corrected hemoglobin (CHb). The comparison of this CHb with HbD gave a non-significant (P≤0.05) difference. Similarly, linear regression of CHb with PCV gave a 99% prediction. We accordingly recommend a simplified pen-side hematological formula for deducing Hb concentration from PCV viz. Hb concentration= 0.24(PCV) +1.5 for beetal goats instead of its calculation as one-third of PCV.