The influence of gender and age on haematological parameters in Herzegovinian donkey.
Several haematological parameters in Herzegovinian donkeys based on gender and age were analysed in this study. The study included 30 clinically healthy donkeys (12 males and 18 females), between one and twenty years of age. Donkeys were grouped in three age classes: young (1-2 years, n=10), adult (3-6 years, n=12) and old donkeys (7-20 years, n=8). A total of seven haematological parameters were analysed. In both genders and in all age groups, the mean values of MCHC were slightly above the recommended reference intervals for donkeys in general. The mean values of HCT in females and in adult donkeys were lower than the reference intervals. The PLT mean values in female, and in young and old Herzegovinian donkeys were lower than the reference intervals. Gender significantly affected HCT and Hb values (p=0.049; p=0.046, respectively), which were significantly higher in males. Age significantly affected WBC and LYM count, which were lowest in young donkeys.