Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
An investigation has been made on the changes in the haemoglobin index with age in four breeds of indigenous African and two breeds of European cattle.
1. Support is given to previous findings that the haemoglobin index was high and variable at birth and fell to an individual more stable adult level at between 2 and 3 years of age.
2. The haemoglobin levels for mature animals of the four tropical breeds are higher than mean figures quoted for other tropical cattle, but still fall within the ranges quoted.
3. The haemoglobin levels for the Friesian agreed with those quoted from temperate regions, but those for the Jersey were higher, agreeing most nearly with Jamaican figures. A reason for this is advanced.
4. The haemoglobin levels of the tropical breeds were significantly higher than those of the two temperate breeds examined.
5. Confirmation was given to the association of a high haemoglobin index with a high heat toleration coefficient.