Blood profile of pigeons (Columba livia) during growth and breeding

Changes in the blood profile of domestic pigeons (Columba livia) were studied during growth and breeding cycle. Counts of erythrocytes and leucocytes, and values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), blood volume, plasma volume (BV), width of erythrocytes, and length, width and volume of erythrocyte nuclei of squabs almost reached adult values by the 4th week of age. During courtship and mating, while the level of plasma glucose increased, those of albumin, potassium, cholesterol, calcium and uric acid decreased. At nest-building, plasma albumin and plasma calcium increased significantly. The initial phase of incubation showed an elevation in plasma calcium and a decline in cholesterol and sodium, whereas mid-phase of incubation indicated a marked rise in cholesterol and uric acid. Terminal phase of incubation had significantly low plasma protein level. During feeding and brooding period, a significant rise in sodium, protein and glucose levels and a fall in calcium were observed. Following egg-laying, there was a significant rise in calcium and a drop in protein, haemoglobin, cholesterol, sodium and MCH values. Concomitant with the phenomenal rate of growth of squabs, their haematological indices neared adult values by the 4th week of age and during breeding activity significant changes in blood values occurred.